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The German Experimental and Test Institute for Hunting and Sporting Firearms (founded 26 November 1888^[1]) (German Deutsche Versuchs- und Prüfanstalt für Jagd- und Sportwaffen e.V.), usually shortened DEVA, is a German manufacturer's association whose purpose is to provide independent advice and testing for firearms and ammunition. DEVA conducts its work independently, and is co-owned by most German firearm manufacturers, such as Blaser, Heckler & Koch, Heym, Mauser, Merkel, Sauer, etc. DEVA today consists of two branches, one in Dune, Altenbeken and one on Stahnsdorfer Damm, Berlin.

History

In the 1880s, the transformation from black to smokeless powder propellants also took place in the civilian sector. The handling and production of firearms and ammunition turned out to be complicated and little explored. As a result, there was a growing desire among hunters for an independent advisory and testing center for civilian firearms.

In 1888, the predecessor of DEVA was founded under the name Deutsche Versuchs-Anstalt für Handfeuerwaffen (literally The German Experimental Institute for Small Arms). Their tasks included amongst others the standardization of propellant charges and creation of the basis of what was to become the German law on ammunition.^[de] The first president of the association, elected in 1893, was his highness the Duke of Ratibor, who died later in the same year. In 1921, the association became involved in small caliber sport shooting as a founding member of the association Kleinkaliberschützen Berlin, which was the first small caliber shooting sports club in Germany,^{[citation needed]} a club that is still active today.^[2] In the 1930s, the associations area of responsibility covered the entire technical field of hunting and sports shooting in Germany. After the Second World War, Deutsche Versuchs-Anstalt für Handfeuerwaffen was banned as an organization of the Nazi regime, and its grounds in Berlin-Wannsee were permanently confiscated.

In 1953, the Deutsche Institut für Jagdliches und Sportliches Schießen e. V. (lit. German Institute for Hunting and Sport Shooting) was founded in Düsseldorf, which in 1970 was merged with the Deutschen Versuchsanstalt für Handfeuerwaffen (German Test Institute for Firearms) into the current DEVA.^[3]

Activities

The tasks of DEVA includes:

Research and development^[4]
Examination and assessment of hunting and sporting firearms, aiming devices and ammunition
Assessment of firearm damages from accidents
Assessment of shooting ranges
Provide information to hunters and shooters

Facilities

Shooting range Berlin-Halensee

The first shooting range of the association was established in Berlin-Halensee on a site of the Reichsbahn after mediation with Kaiser Wilhelm. In addition to the shooting range itself, the association also received a building for the technical facilities. In 1927, the site had to be returned to the Reichsbahn.

Shooting range Berlin Wannsee

As a replacement for the property in Halensee, the city of Berlin provided the association with a 7 hectares (17 acres) site in Wannsee, on which a large building for administration and technology was built in 1928.^[5] The complex included various shooting ranges up to 300 m (330 yd) and a clay target shooting stand. (52°24′56.484″N 13°10′31.512″E / 52.41569000°N 13.17542000°E / 52.41569000; 13.17542000 (DEVA Wannsee)) The shooting competitions at the 1936 Olympic were held at this range.

After the Second World War, most of the buildings were destroyed. The site was in the US sector of the city, and was confiscated by the US military government. The US military's Berlin Brigade took the area into use under the name Rose Range. In addition to the US military, the Berlin police also used the shooting ranges. The American Rod&Gun Club used the range on the weekends.^{[citation needed]}

After the withdrawal of the Allies in 1994, the Wannsee shooting range was returned to the Germany, and has since then again been used by a branch of DEVA.

Shooting range Düsseldorf

From 1953 to 1970, the German Institute for Hunting and Sport Shooting was located at the shooting range in Düsseldorf-Gerresheim. The range was closed in 1970 due to noise pollution.

Shooting range Buke

Following the closure of the Düsseldorf shooting range, the institute was relocated to the Dune 3 shooting range of the hunting club Landesjagdverband Nordrhein-Westfalen e. V (NRW) near the small town of Buke in Paderborn, Altenbeken.^[6] A branch of DEVA is still situated at the shooting range today.

References

Entry in the German Hunting Lexicon (Deutschen Jagd-Lexikon)

^ DEVA - German Testing and Testing Institute for Hunting and Sportsing Weapons
^ Schießsport der Kleinkaliberschützen Berlin e.V.
^ "DEVA - Institutsportrait - Historie". Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
^ Deutsche Versuchs- und Prüf-Anstalt für Jagd- und Sportwaffen e.V. (DEVA) | Forschungsinformationssystem Agrar und Ernährung | Informationsportal des Bundes und der Länder
^ "Geschichte des Standorts Wannsee". Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
^ Deutsche Versuchs- und Prüf-Anstalt für Jagd- und Sportwaffen e. V. in Altenbeken 33184

Articles

Büchsenpatronen - vor 100 Jahren. In: Wild und Hund, 25/1994, p. 32-37
Passende Verbindungen. Zielfernrohr-Montagen. In: Jäger, 4/1997, p. 56-57

Literature

Bergien, Rüdiger: "Unsere Neutralität wird nicht angezweifelt". DEVA-Hauptversammlung. In: Wild und Hund, 14/2001, p. 61
Grösschen, Hans-Wolfgang: Schießinstitut und DEVA vereinigt. Deutsche Versuchs- und Prüfanstalt für Jagd- und Sportwaffen entstand. In: Wild und Hund, 73. Jg. (1970/71), p. 1014-1019
Krah, Alexander: DEVA im "Forum Waffenrecht". Hauptversammlung in Berlin. In: Wild und Hund, 16/2000, p. 11
Mitzschke, Gustav: 75 Jahre Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Handfeuerwaffen e.V. In: Wild und Hund, 66. Jg. (1963/64), p. 413-414
Rakow, Frank: Die aktuellen Aufgaben wiegen bleischwer. Helmut Kinsky/DEVA im Gespräch. In: Wild und Hund, 6/2005, p. 114-115
Winsmann, Burkhard: 100 Jahre DEVA - eine repräsentative Feierstunde in Nürnberg. In: Wild und Hund, 1/1988, S. 24-25
Winsmann, Burkhard: 100 Jahre DEVA. Interview mit Hans Walter Pfeiffer (DEVA-Präsident). In: Wild und Hund, 3/1988, p. 32-39