What Krieghoff does

Krieghoff is a five-generation, family-owned German firearms manufacturer founded in 1886 (originally as Sempert and Krieghoff) with main production at H. Krieghoff GmbH in Ulm, Germany and US distribution/service operations run by Krieghoff International, Inc. in Ottsville, Pennsylvania. Its product portfolio centers on premium over/under competition shotguns—principally the K-80 family (Sporting, Skeet, Trap Special, Pro Sporter, Parcours, Parcours-X, ACS, Victoria) and the K-20 family (Sporting, Victoria, Parcours)—alongside hunting arms such as the Essencia side-by-sides and single-shot rifles, the Semprio inline repeater, Hubertus single shot, and Classic double rifles. Technical differentiators include a patented custom stock fitting method developed by founder Ludwig Krieghoff, a modular receiver system (K-80/K-20) that accepts interchangeable barrel sets across Trap, Skeet, and Sporting disciplines, an adjustable rib system for point-of-impact tuning, the Krieghoff Balance System (barrel and stock bolt weights), and an extensive engraving catalog plus bespoke engraving with master engravers.

The company monetizes through one-time firearm sales via a coast-to-coast authorized dealer network in the US and Canada (Krieghoff does not sell firearms direct to consumers), recurring factory service revenue (e.g., K-80 annual service at $460, K-32 at $590, general repair labor at $140/hour), custom stock-making and engraving services, annual limited-edition Gun of the Year collector pieces, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce for accessories, apparel, parts, and merchandise. Customer segments are three primary buyer types: competitive clay target shooters (Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, FITASC—validated by a sponsored pro staff including an Olympic silver medalist and multiple Hall of Fame members), hunters (upland, big game, dangerous game), and collectors/enthusiasts pursuing engraved or limited-edition pieces. Distribution is anchored by dealer relationships and event-driven field marketing at major shooting championships (Grand American, World Skeet, SCTP Nationals, NSCA events), supported by a centralized service center in Ottsville that handles warranty, refinishing, and custom work.

Operationally, Krieghoff International runs a lean US team (firmographics indicate 11–50 employees) including master gunsmiths trained in Germany (Suhl, Ferlach), woodsmiths/stockmakers, parts and service managers, and a sales force. The business remains privately held under the Krieghoff family with no external institutional capital, and is subject to firearms-specific regulatory constraints including California AB 2571 marketing restrictions to minors.

Name

Krieghoff

Legal name

Krieghoff International, Inc.

Website

https://krieghoff.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Krieghoff is a five-generation, family-owned German manufacturer of premium over/under competition shotguns (K-80, K-20) and hunting firearms, serving competitive clay target shooters, hunters, and collectors through an authorized dealer network across the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sporting Firearms Manufacturing

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Hunting, Shooting Sports & Archery Retail (CRAMABAK)

Keywords

• Competition shotguns
• Over-under firearms
• Custom gun stocks
• Sporting clays guns
• Hunting rifles

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Firearms Sales: Krieghoff manufactures high-end shotguns and rifles sold exclusively through authorized dealers in the US and Canada. Products include competition shotguns (K-80, K-20, KX-6) and hunting firearms (Essencia, Classic Double Rifle, Semprio, Hubertus, Trumpf drilling).
2. Accessories and Merchandise: Direct sales of gun accessories, apparel, gun cases, gun care products, knives, brass, wood stocks, and branded merchandise through the Krieghoff e-commerce store.
3. Service and Repair: Factory service department provides annual maintenance, repairs, refinishing, and custom work. Pricing includes hourly rates of $140/hr and standard service packages like K-80 Annual Service at $460 for 1-2 barrels.
4. Custom Woodworking: Custom stock making, refinishing, and woodwork services using Turkish walnut. Includes checkering, custom designs, and various finish options.
5. Custom Engraving: Factory engravers offer custom engraving services including deep relief, delicate scroll, game scenes with gold inlays, and Bulino style work. Also includes annual Gun of the Year limited editions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Krieghoff manufactures premium over-under competition shotguns (K-80, K-20, KX-6 series) and high-end hunting firearms (Essencia side-by-sides, Classic Double Rifle, Semprio inline repeater, Hubertus single shot) in Ulm, Germany, with US distribution and service through Krieghoff International in Ottsville, PA. The company complements its firearms with factory custom engraving, custom Turkish-walnut stock fitting using the patented Krieghoff stock method, gunsmithing/repair services, replacement parts, branded apparel and accessories sold via its e-commerce store, and on-site service at major shooting events.

Product overview

Krieghoff is a German manufacturer of premium firearms with five generations of craftsmanship since 1886. The product portfolio centers on the K-80 and K-20 over-under competition shotguns (available in Sporting, Skeet, Trap Special, Pro Sporter, Parcours, Victoria, and ACS variants) and hunting firearms (Essencia double rifles and shotguns, Semprio inline repeater, Hubertus single shot rifle, Classic double rifles). Krieghoff complements its firearms with engraving services (catalog and custom), custom stock fitting using Turkish walnut, and factory gunsmithing services. The company also offers replacement parts, accessories, and branded merchandise through its online store. Krieghoff serves competition shooters (trap, skeet, sporting clays, FITASC) and hunters (upland birds, big game, dangerous game) through a network of authorized dealers in the US and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-80 Sporting

Quantifiable outcome

• K-80 Annual Service recommended every 15,000-20,000 rounds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within the competitive shooting community. Krieghoff sponsors Team Krieghoff pro staff shooters who compete in NSCA events. Supports shooting complexes and promotes the sport.
• ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in ATA trapshooting events and championships. Krieghoff sponsors shooters and provides on-site service at major ATA events including Grand American World Trapshooting Championships.
• NSSA (National Skeet Shooting Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting skeet shooting competitions. Krieghoff Team shooters compete in NSSA registered events and championships.
• ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrieghoff supports international competition through Team Krieghoff shooters who compete in ISSF World Cups and Olympic qualification events.
• SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for youth shooting sports through participation at SCTP National Championships. Krieghoff provides on-site service and product displays at youth shooting events.
• Shooting Complexes and RangesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with shooting complexes including M&M Hunting & Sporting Clays, Cardinal Shooting Center, National Shooting Complex, and PSSA Home Grounds for event participation and service support.
• Otter KnivesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOtter knives branded with Krieghoff logo and sold through Krieghoff's e-commerce store. Includes Merlin, Milan, Sperber, and Habicht hunting knife models.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Browning Arms: American firearms brand owned by FN Herstal offering shotguns, rifles, and accessories. Overlaps with Krieghoff in hunting and competition shotgun categories with broader mass-market positioning.
• FN Herstal: Belgian firearms conglomerate owning Browning, Winchester, and other legacy brands. Competes broadly in hunting and competition firearms through subsidiaries; Ken Pfau, Krieghoff's VP of Operations, was previously SVP at FN America.
• Beretta: Italy-based oldest active firearms manufacturer and global leader in shotguns. Owns Benelli, SAKO, and other brands. Competes with Krieghoff across competition and hunting shotguns but at broader price points and much larger scale.
• Benelli: Italian semi-auto and over/under shotgun manufacturer owned by Beretta. Competes with Krieghoff in hunting and competition segments, particularly with inertia-driven and semi-automatic shotgun designs.

Direct peers

• Perazzi: Italian manufacturer of premium over/under competition shotguns widely used in Olympic and clay target shooting. Perazzi is the closest direct competitor to Krieghoff in the high-end competition shotgun category, serving the same Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays disciplines.
• Blaser: German firearms manufacturer of premium rifles and shotguns with strong European heritage. Alex Diehl, Krieghoff's CEO, was previously COO of Blaser USA, underscoring the close competitive and talent overlap in the premium German firearms segment.
• Caesar Guerini: Italian premium shotgun manufacturer specializing in over/under competition and field shotguns. Competes with Krieghoff in the same sporting clays and competition segments with comparable price positioning and dealer-based US distribution.
• Holland & Holland: British maker of luxury bespoke rifles and shotguns, owned by Chanel. Competes at the ultra-premium end of the hunting firearm market with Krieghoff's Essencia line, focused on heritage craftsmanship and collector value.
• Fausti Stefano: Italian family-owned premium shotgun manufacturer offering over/under side-by-side competition and hunting models. Comparable to Krieghoff as a smaller-scale premium European shotgun maker competing in similar US dealer channels.
• Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company: US manufacturer of high-end bespoke shotguns including A-10 and RBL models. Overlaps with Krieghoff's custom and luxury shotgun offerings and is a known US industry peer (Elmar Bonn, Krieghoff's Master Gunsmith, previously worked there).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/krieghoffguns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Krieghoff