Jan 20, 2012 in 1982, an obscure austrian engineer named gaston glock, who worked in a radiator plant and had a side business with his wife making curtain rods, knives and belt buckles, invented a type of. The company made various plasticsteel nongun parts. Based on fifteen years of research, glock is the riveting story of the weapo. Helga and gaston glock met in 1958, married in 1962, and a year later cofounded glock kg. In all honesty, the g17 is my personal favorite simply because of how it fits me.
The glock 17 was the original design put forth by gaston glock for the austrian military contract. Jan 29, 2012 created in 1982 by gaston glock, an austrian curtainrod manufacturer, the glock arrived stateside during the 1980s crime epidemic. Jul 18, 2018 born on july 19, 1929, gaston glock spent more than 30 years of his life not in business for himself. Sep 09, 2017 this book printed in 1992 has proved itself to be a valuable resource book. Tycoon who made billions from the worlds most famous pistol. He designed this gun originally for the austrian army, and that timing was determined by much deeper history. In 1963, gaston glock founded a plastics company near vienna austria. Sep 25, 2011 gaston glock himself shared in a 1986 interview with american rifleman that he always pocketcarried the glock pistol in condition3 unchambered.
Inside the secret and violent world of gaston glock, maker of the most popular firearm in u. It would be simple to frame helga glocks newest court battle as one brought by a lover scorned. Overall id probably recommend the book to anyone interested in the history of glock. As an austrian engineer with no prior firearms design experience, this was glocks first firearm design. In the 1970s, development and production startup of the first military products began to take place with the development of a line of knives, grenade casings and machine gun belt links. Apr 21, 2015 here is a quick recap of glock history starting with its founder, gaston glock. When it was time to start reading i did what i was taught in school, started at the beginning. Rarely do the news gods smile down on us with such charity. Patent number 4,539,889 appears to be for the glock 17. He is the author of the book of glock, shooters bible guide to firearms assembly, disassembly, and cleaning, 50 guns that changed the world.
This semiautomatic pistol is in use in a number of countries around the world with military, paramilitary. The book is not just the history of how gaston glock invented the pistol bearing his name and how his company managed to take the u. Mar 31, 2003 inside the secret and violent world of gaston glock, maker of the most popular firearm in u. Paul barrett reports on the creation and ubiquitous use of the glock pistol, now. They divorced in 2011 and have been in litigation since. Richard aborn, president, citizens crime commission of new york city. The book of glock is 262 pages of photographs, diagrams, charts and tables within the 33 chapters of comprehensive detailed information on gaston glocks greatest invention.
Book on glock history the leading glock forum and community. Below is the result of a little research project that i have been conducting on the history and evolution of glock pistols. Development and production startup of first military products, such as field knives fm 78. Created in 1982 by gaston glock, an obscure austrian curtainrod manufacturer, and swiftly adopted by the austrian army, the glock pistol, with its lightweight plastic frame and largecapacity springaction magazine, arrived in america at a fortuitous time. Glock supports different charities in austria, having donated over one. Glock book chronicles a history of americas gun photos glock history. He brought in knowledgeable firearms engineers and let them do the work. What was so remarkable was that gaston glock had no prior experience with guns. In 1982, an obscure austrian engineer named gaston glock, who worked in a radiator plant and had a side business with his wi.
This book is for anyone concerned about the level of gun violence in america, and that should be all of us. Gaston glock seems to be a resourceful businessman and a survivor. Some of his previous projects included curtain rods, shovels, and hand grenades. This book printed in 1992 has proved itself to be a valuable resource book. Gaston glock, an austrian engineer, successful businessman, and manufacturer of injection molding parts and components, founded glock ges. Learn more about gaston glock and his journey to create the modern pistol. Created in 1982 by gaston glock, the pistol arrived in america at a. An unauthorized book about gaston glock s life and his company, titled glock. This bookfrom a topnotch reporterwill enlighten you about both gun. This i guarantee through our status as a private, independent company. Gaston glock started in motion, a market dominating pistol manufacturing company and staked his name in the firearms history books. Whoops turns out it is a nonfiction book about the gun, its inventor, its rise in. The glock 47 is a fullsized mos version created for u. Although the g17 was glocks initial firearm offering, many different models followed, like the g21c chambered in.
A brief history of the birth, development, and proliferation of austrias own plastic fantastic, the glock pistol. Each glock pistol was designed and engineered to respond directly to the needs of our customers. Gaston glock historical records and family trees related to gaston glock. Gaston glock, founder perfection stands for our commitment to uncompromising quality, futureoriented manufacturing technologies and maximum customer satisfaction. Law enforcement agencies had concluded that their agents and officers, armed with. Here are the facts about glock, from its initial history to its locations around the globe. Gaston glock himself shared in a 1986 interview with american rifleman that he always pocketcarried the glock pistol in condition3 unchambered. Law enforcement agencies had concluded that their agents and officers, armed with standard sixround revolvers, were getting outgunned by drug dealers with semiautomatic pistols. History the glock 17, designed by gaston glock, was adopted by the austrian army as its service pistol in 1982. Glock supports different charities in austria, having donated over one million euros. As dmitry alekseev writes in his book firearms, such name was due to the fact that the capacity of the gun shop glock was a record for that time of 17 rounds.
From the search results, gaston glock has a total of 12 issued patents. Using the savings money that they were going to use to pay for an apartment, the future arms designer and manufacturer started his business career in the same way that any arms. Through gun buybacks, discounts and glock sponsored junkets to. In 1982, an obscure austrian engineer named gaston glock, who. The engineer cut his teeth on manufacturing in a curtain rod factory before founding glock ges. History gaston glock was an austrian polymer manufacturer supplying the austrian army with hand grenades, trench tools and nonsmoldering machine gun belts when he overheard two austrian ministry of defense colonels discussing the need for new short. This plastic was specially formulated to provide increased durability and is more resilient than carbon steel and most steel alloys. He knew the key to sales in america was to get the police to choose his pistol. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names.
Being an engineer, his wiki revealed his ex and new wife, house, horse to family. Whatever you think of american firearms policy, the life and times of gaston glock are a riveting story, material for a film that might have starred his countryman arnold schwarzenegger. The glock safe action pistol is the favored small firearm for twothirds of u. Why the glock became americas handgun popular mechanics. Created in 1982 by gaston glock, an austrian curtainrod manufacturer, the glock arrived stateside during the 1980s crime epidemic. Sadowski is a contributing writer to gun world, shooting illustrated, combat handguns, gun tests, gun digest and several other firearms magazines.
Created in 1982 by gaston glock, the pistol arrived in america at a fortuitous time. Glock married helga glock in 1958, and they cofounded the family business in 1963. The story starts with fbi miami dade county shoot out and move along the parallel history of american law enforcement quest for up to date firearms and glock innovation by austrian engineer. This semiautomatic pistol is in use in a number of countries around the world with military, paramilitary, police and other law enforcement agencies. Sep 03, 2019 a brief history of the birth, development, and proliferation of austrias own plastic fantastic, the glock pistol. Mar 12, 2012 invented just 30 years ago by an obscure austrian curtainrod manufacturer with little firearm experience, the glock semiautomatic pistol has become in every sense americas gun. Created in 1982 by gaston glock, an austrian curtainrod manufacturer. The book covers the development and rise of one of the greatest pistols in recent history, the glock. Written by peter alan kasler, this books covers the history of gaston glock and the development of glock handguns. At the beginning consumer goods made out of wood, polymers and metal were produced by only 3 employees. Born on july 19, 1929, gaston glock spent more than 30 years of his life not in business for himself. Many models have a specific purpose, while others serve a broader range of uses and interests. The glock was created in 1982 by curtainrod manufacturer gaston glock. Based on fifteen years of research, glock is the riveting story of the weapon that has become known as americans gun.
Gaston glocks huge advantage as a neophyte gun designer was that he knew almost nothing about firearms. Glock has not been without some mystery and controversy throughout the history of the company. Here are patents i found for inventor gaston glock. The rise of the man and his gun, as ably reported by barrett, is a story of. Unlikely gun manufacturer glock was an austrian engineer whose company manufactured curtain rods and knives as well as hand grenades and trench tools for the austrian military. The book of glock references all glock pistols available in the united states with indepth information on all modelshistory, serial numbers, rare glock variants, comparative models, cutaway sales models, and more. Glock didnt like the handguns available on the market and decided to manufacture a new gun from scratch. Jan 12, 2012 gaston glock had enormous good fortune. They include field knives, training hand grenades, and machine gun belt links. The glocks frame, magazine body, and several other components are made from a highstrength nylonbased polymer invented by gaston glock, called polymer 2. Glock realized the strength and durability that could be realized by combining plastic and steel for particular military products and he began supplying the austrian military with various. But upon marrying his now ex wife helga in 1962, that changed.
If you like this video, please check out the book glock. Later a few months glock introduced the upgraded gun, designated the glock 17. Jan 24, 2012 the glock was created in 1982 by curtainrod manufacturer gaston glock. Who adapted and overcome many obstacles, to go on to provide the world with a great product. As most people probably know, americas gun, so called here. In 1982 gaston glock, an industrious austrian knowing nothing about firearms, was making innocuous. Posted on july 19, 2019 july 9, 2019 by logan metesh gaston glock circa 1988 demonstrating.
It has been rhapsodized by hiphop artists and coveted by cops and crooks alike. The companys history started in deutsch wagram, austria. On july 27th, 1999, gaston glock was brutally attacked by a hitman, contracted by glocks onetime business consultant charles ewert. An engaging history of the most famous handgun in contemporary america. A self taught businessman who graduated from the school of hard knocks. This is in keeping with his lawyers recollection quoted above from the book of hearing gastons pistol slide being racked and it subsequently appearing tucked inside his belt when glock. Sadowski worked closely with stanley ruselowski, the president of the glock collectors association, to bring readers information. Gaston glock is an arms designer or better you can say an engineer to make the guns and revolvers. How gaston glock survived an assassination bid, was embroiled in a sex scandal. Discover the milestones of the glock success story. Jan 01, 2012 the book covers the development and rise of one of the greatest pistols in recent history, the glock. An engaging history of the most famous handgun in contemporary.
Today the glock pistol has been embraced by twothirds of all u. Aug 03, 2019 tycoon who made billions from the worlds most famous pistol. Based on fifteen years of research,glockis the riveting story of the weapon that has become known as americans gun. Glock family goes down, guns blazing the daily beast. In 1982, an obscure austrian engineer named gaston glock, who worked in a radiator plant and had a side business with his wife making curtain rods, knives and. Gaston glock, along with his staff now began to seriously develop a new firearms for the army. How gaston glock survived an assassination bid, was embroiled in a sex scandal and ran off with his glamorous nurse after a stroke.
Gaston glock is an arms designer or better you can say an engineer to make the guns and. His moderately successful company primarily manufactured plastic curtain rod rings along with various other plastic products. Gaston glock, 84, has been ordered to pay alimony to his exwife, helga, whom he divorced in 2011. He also was quoted for giving funds to the freedom party of austria. But this is strictly a business case, her atlanta lawyer, john da grosa smith, told the daily beast. What he is is arguably one of the best promoters on the planet. The gun, designed on 1982 by an austrian curtainrod manufacturer, gaston glock, was embraced by american police, who sought greater force than their standard issue sixround revolvers. It is also a look at american gun culture and its obsession with firearms as well as an overview of late 20th century gun politics and events in the united states. Aug 09, 20 gaston glock, 84, has been ordered to pay alimony to his exwife, helga, whom he divorced in 2011. It has been rhapsodized by hiphop artists, and coveted by cops and crooks alike.
Jan 12, 2011 whatever you think of american firearms policy, the life and times of gaston glock are a riveting story, material for a film that might have starred his countryman arnold schwarzenegger. Customs and border protection that has full parts compatibility with a glock 19, meaning a g47 slide can be put on a g19 frame to give the g19 a longer slide, barrel, and sight radius, or a g19 slide can be put on a g47 frame to create a pistol the functions like a glock 45. Barrett talked about the history of the company, how it became popular, and. A good insight into the company and the cultural impact of the glock on american culture. An unauthorized book about gaston glocks life and his company, titled glock. The founder of the austrian gun company divorced helga. He had briefly served as a conscript in the german army near the end of world war ii but claims that all he learned was when you. Posted on july 19, 2019 july 9, 2019 by logan metesh gaston glock circa 1988 demonstrating the operation of a model 17 to pete dickey of. Glock book chronicles a history of americas gun photos. This book is the most comprehensive story of glock.
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