Arminius (revolvers)

Arminius is the revolver brand and model family associated with Weihrauch & Weihrauch GmbH & Co. KG, a firearms manufacturer based in Mellrichstadt, Germany. Weihrauch is known for producing target and sporting air rifles, air pistols, cartridge rifles and pistols, while the Arminius name identifies its revolver products. The brand therefore functions primarily as a firearms product line rather than as a separately incorporated company. The first Weihrauch revolver identified in the available historical record was the HW-3, introduced in 1960. It was followed by the HW-4 in 1962 and the HW-5 from 1965. The Arminius name refers to Arminius, the Latinized name of the Germanic Cherusci leader who fought Roman forces during the reign of Emperor Augustus. This historical reference gave the revolver line a distinctly Germanic identity, while the HW model numbering reflected the Weihrauch family name and manufacturing lineage. The range developed into a broad selection of small-caliber, sporting, defensive and specialty revolvers. Models described in reference material include the HW-3, HW-4, HW-5, HW-7, HW-9 and HW-22 in .22-caliber configurations; the HW-357 and HW-357 T in .357 Magnum; the HW-38 in .38 Special; and several blank-firing, gas, starter and Western-style single-action variants. Some models were offered in Duo configurations with interchangeable cylinders for .22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum. The line consequently covered both recreational and sporting uses and products intended for blank, starter or gas-cartridge applications, subject to the laws of the market in which they were sold. Arminius revolvers also gained visibility in the United States through a succession of importers. American distributors sometimes sold Weihrauch models under different names or with market-specific configurations. Examples documented in the reference material include Herter's marketing the HW-7 as the Herter's Guide Model, L.A. Distributors selling the HW-5 as the Omega and the HW-3 as the Dickson Bulldog, and F.I.E. importing the HW-357 and HW-38 as the FIE Titan Tiger. European American Armory imported the HW-357 as the EAA-Arminius Windicator, including a heavy full-shroud barrel configuration, and marketed single-action Western-style variants under names such as Hombre and Bounty Hunter. The brand's identity is therefore closely tied to Weihrauch's manufacturing business and to the international distribution history of its revolver models. Available material does not establish a separate Arminius corporate entity, public listing, independently reported financial results or a distinct executive structure. The official revolver website presents the brand in connection with Hermann Weihrauch and Weihrauch products. As a result, Arminius is best understood as a continuing German firearms brand family whose historical importance lies in its long-running model series, varied chamberings and extensive use of importer and rebrand arrangements, particularly in the United States.

Arminius is the name used for a line of revolvers manufactured by Weihrauch & Weihrauch GmbH & Co. KG in Mellrichstadt, Germany. The parent manufacturer produces several categories of firearms, including sporting and target air guns, cartridge rifles and pistols, and revolvers. The available record does not identify Arminius as a separately incorporated business; instead, it presents the name as a product and model family within the Weihrauch manufacturing portfolio. Weihrauch's first documented revolver model was the HW-3, produced in 1960. The HW-4 followed in 1962, and the HW-5 entered the range from 1965. The model designation "HW" refers to Hermann Weihrauch, the founder associated with Weihrauch & Weihrauch. The Arminius name was drawn from the Latinized name of Arminius, the Cherusci leader who opposed Rome during the later part of Augustus's reign. This naming connected the products to German history while distinguishing them in domestic and export markets. Over time, the range expanded beyond its earliest models. The documented catalogue included the HW-3 in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum and .32 S&W Long; the HW-4 as a compact .22 Long Rifle revolver; and the HW-5 and HW-7 in several small-caliber configurations. Duo versions of selected models used two cylinders, allowing the user to switch between .22 Winchester Magnum and .22 Long Rifle. The HW-9 was described as a six-inch-barrelled .22 Long Rifle sporting revolver, while the HW-22 was an eight-round .22 Long Rifle model. The company also produced larger-caliber and specialty designs. The HW-357 Hunter and HW-357 T Target were six-shot .357 Magnum revolvers. The HW-38 was a six-shot .38 Special revolver. Other models, including the HW-10, HW-37, HW-37 S and HW-88 SUPER Airweight, were associated with blank-firing, starter or gas-cartridge uses. The Western Single Action family consisted of Single Action Army-style copies chambered for cartridges including 9 mm R. NC., .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. These products gave the Arminius name a broader scope than a single sporting or defensive revolver format. The brand's export history is especially visible in the United States, where different importers used their own commercial names for various Weihrauch models. Herter's imported the HW-7 as the Herter's Guide Model. L.A. Distributors of Brooklyn imported the HW-5 as the Omega and the HW-3 as the Dickson Bulldog. Firearms Import & Export, commonly identified as F.I.E., imported the HW-357 and HW-38 as the FIE Titan Tiger. European American Armory imported the HW-357 as the EAA-Arminius Windicator, including a heavy full-shroud-barrel version, and imported Western-style single-action models under names such as Hombre and Bounty Hunter. This pattern illustrates how the underlying Weihrauch designs could be adapted to different distribution channels and market preferences. It also means that historical references to Arminius-related revolvers may appear under importer or retailer names rather than under the original brand. The available sources do not provide a complete chronology of production changes, discontinuations, ownership changes or present model availability. They do establish Arminius as a German revolver line with a history extending from the early 1960s and with documented international distribution through the United States.

• 1965

  HW-5 added to the range

  [1]Arminius (revolvers)en.wikipedia.org

  The HW-5 became part of the revolver line from 1965 and was later distributed in multiple markets under different names.

• 1962

  Introduction of the HW-4

  [1]Arminius (revolvers)en.wikipedia.org

  The HW-4 joined Weihrauch's developing revolver range.

• 1960

  Introduction of the HW-3

  [1]Arminius (revolvers)en.wikipedia.org

  Weihrauch produced the HW-3, identified as its first revolver model in the available historical record.

A German-made revolver line associated with Weihrauch, spanning affordable small-caliber, sporting, magnum, blank-firing, gas-cartridge and Western-style single-action models.

• Double-action revolver · 1960

  HW-3

  A foundational Arminius double-action revolver, documented in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum and .32 S&W Long. A Duo version used two cylinders, one for .22 Winchester Magnum and one for .22 Long Rifle. The model was also sold in the United States under the Dickson Bulldog name.

• Snub-nose revolver · 1962

  HW-4

  A compact .22 Long Rifle revolver described in the source material as an eight-shot snub-nose model. It formed part of the early expansion of Weihrauch's Arminius revolver programme after the HW-3.

• Double-action revolver · 1965

  HW-5

  A double-action revolver offered in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum and .32 S&W Long. Its Duo configuration used two cylinders for .22 Winchester Magnum and .22 Long Rifle. U.S. importers marketed the model as the Omega.

• Double-action revolver

  HW-7

  A small-caliber double-action revolver available in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum and .32 S&W Long according to the documented model list. Duo versions provided cylinders for .22 Winchester Magnum and .22 Long Rifle. Herter's imported one version as the Herter's Guide Model.

• Sporting revolver

  HW-9

  A sporting revolver described as having a six-inch barrel and chambering for .22 Long Rifle. It represents the target and recreational side of the Arminius catalogue rather than the compact or specialty-cartridge models.

• Magnum revolver

  HW-357 Hunter and HW-357 T

  Six-shot .357 Magnum revolvers offered in Hunter and Target variants. The HW-357 T designation identifies the Target version. The underlying model was imported into the United States by F.I.E. as the Titan Tiger and by EAA as the EAA-Arminius Windicator.

• Double-action revolver

  HW-38

  A six-shot revolver chambered in .38 Special. U.S. distribution included an F.I.E. version marketed as the FIE Titan Tiger.

• Blank-firing, starter and gas-cartridge revolvers

  HW-10, HW-37, HW-37 S and HW-88 SUPER Airweight

  A group of specialty revolvers for blank-firing, starter and gas-cartridge applications. The documented list identifies the HW-10 as a five-shot 9 mm R. NC. blank-firing revolver, the HW-37 as a blank and gas revolver, the HW-37 S as a starter gun, and the HW-88 SUPER Airweight as a five-shot 9 mm R. NC. blank-firing revolver.

• Single-action revolver

  Western Single Action

  A family of Single Action Army-style revolvers offered in configurations associated with 9 mm R. NC., .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt. U.S. importers marketed examples under the Hombre and Bounty Hunter names.

1. 1Arminius (revolvers)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hermann Weihrauch Revolver official websitehermann-weihrauch-revolver.de