1896
Word of the precision of J. G. ANSCHÜTZ's products had spread quickly, so that there was hardly ever a shortage of orders. After successfully running the company for 40 years, the company founder realized a lifelong dream at the age of 62: his own factory building.
Construction plan of the factory building from 1896.
The above "Drawing for the construction of a new factory building for Mr. Julius Gottfried Anschütz in Mehlis" with the stamp of the local authorities (left, highlighted in red) shows the dimensions of the first construction phase in Reißmannstraße very clearly. The approval and thus also the start of construction are dated May 15, 1896. The client's signature can be seen in the right-hand third (also highlighted in red).
Mehlis with the future location of the factory to the left of the church, 1896
When the company moved into the new factory building in 1897, it employed 76 people. This number grew to 150 by the time of the extension building in 1909 and another five years later to 250 employees. In peak times, even almost 600 people earned a living for themselves and their families at ANSCHÜTZ.
System making factory in Mehlis around 1900
With the new factory building, Julius Gottfried Anschütz led his company into a new phase of its existence. His two sons, Fritz August and Otto Veit, had been introduced to the secrets and skills of gunsmithing by their father in accordance with family tradition and were already firmly established in professional life.
First stage of construction around 1897. 76 employees are located in front of the factory building.
Already at the turn of the century the first factory buildings were extended and soon the Germaniawaffenwerk was one of the most efficient companies in Zella-Mehlis. In order to meet the growing demand for ANSCHÜTZ weapons, a coal shed was built in 1899 to secure the energy supply and in 1900 a smaller hall was added to the existing production hall. In 1902 and 1903, further construction work was carried out to optimize machinery and production processes. In 1904, a coal-fired steam engine was purchased, the first in the region.