Fabryka Broni "Łucznik" – Radom —also known as Fabryka Broni Radom or Zakłady Metalowe "Łucznik"—is a Polish defence industry enterprise from Radom that produces firearms. The enterprise is part of the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA. In the past, it used to produce non-military equipment, most notably sewing machines and typewriters, but those branches were deemed unprofitable and dropped in 2000.

History

The company was founded in the Second Polish Republic to produce arms for the Polish Armed Forces. In 1925, the main building, steel hardening shop, power plant, boiler room, woodshop, bath, and the workers’ houses were erected. On 31 December 1927, production was launched when, by an act signed by then Director of the plant Msc.Eng. Kazimierz Ołdakowski, the plant was officially taken over from the local government and became part of the Państwowe Wytwórnie Uzbrojenia concern. Ołdakowski insisted that his workers received free health care. He also arranged for child care services and regular leisure time, and built gymnasiums, theaters, gardens and housing for his workers. During his directorship, the Vis pistol (pistolet wz. 35 Vis) was developed. During World War II, it was captured and operated by the Germans. After World War II, the factory was renamed ''Zakłady Metalowe im. gen. "Waltera" (General Walter'' Metal Works). It received the factory code number of 11; to prevent confusion with an earlier Factory #11, the number received a single circle around it to differentiate it. In 1990, the factory returned to its old name Zakłady Metalowe "Łucznik" (Metal Works "Łucznik"), "łucznik" meaning 'archer'. It became a state-owned company (SA). On 13 November 2000, the company was declared bankrupt, however, on 30 June 2000 a company Fabryka Broni "Łucznik" – Radom (Arms Factory Łucznik – Radom) was created by ZM Łucznik and the Industry Development Agency which took over arms production.

Products

Original designs

Licensed weapons

Explanatory notes