Patent Infringement on Gun Stories Mauser Episode

[RFBIII]

First may I say that I am enjoying Gun Stories very much!

I am posting with regard to the information stated in the Mauser episode about patent infringement of Mauser's bolt action designs by the US Government.  The viewer was lead to believe that the the US Government infringed upon Mauser patents and then Mauser sued the USG and won.  This is inaccurate if we are to believe a recognized definitive source on the M1903 rifle:  The '03 Springfield Rifles' Era, by Clark S. Campbell.  He devotes a chapter to this subject and basically says that it was the Chief of Ordnance, Brigadier General Crozier, who initiated contact with Mauser in 1904, asking about royalties that the USG may have to pay to Mauser.  Amiable discussions subsequently followed, an agreement was worked out, and $200,000.00 was paid to Mauser by the time the agreement ended in 1909.

Campbell goes on to relate the curious claim of DWM against the USG, claiming that the .30-'06 round with Spitzer type of bullet infringed upon a US patent assigned to DWM.  The Chief of Ordnance denied the claim, citing work by the US Army on pointed bullets going back to 1894, predating the DWM patent.  DWM did sue but WWI started in 1914 and the suit was set aside.  After the US entered the war the USG seized the patent, and the Attorney General dismissed the suit.  Subsequent to the war a tribunal set up to settle claims by German nationals ruled that, while the claim was not valid, the USG had seized the patent in violation of treaty (presumably a patent treaty).  DWM received $412,520.55 from the USG despite there being held that there was no patent infringement!

So assuming that Campbell's account is correct then some of the contributors featured in the episode misstated the facts regarding Mauser and the M1903 rifle.  I am sure that everyone involved with the show seeks to promulgate factual data and strive for the highest standards.

In conclusion I offer up this post not to scold Gun Stories but to promote historical accuracy.  Love the show, keep the episodes coming!