Łucznik Arms Factory

The company was founded in the Second Polish Republic to produce firearms 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 (military designation pistolet wz. 35) was developed.

During World War II, the factory was taken over by the Germans and continued arms production for the Wehrmacht.

After World War II, Fabryka Broni 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. 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.

Original designs

FB MSBS – 5.56 mm/7.62 mm modular firearm system (assault rifle and marksman rifle in production), adopted by Polish Armed Forces as Grot

FB Beryl – 5.56 mm assault rifle (in production), standard-issue service rifle of the Polish Armed Forces

FB Mini-Beryl – 5.56 mm carbine (in production)

FB Onyks – 5.45 mm carbine