Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e. V.

What Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e. V. does

Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e.V. (VDB) is a German non-profit trade association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1949 and headquartered in Marburg, representing professional gunsmiths (Büchsenmacher) and weapon specialty stores (Waffenfachhändler) across Germany. The association provides three interconnected product lines: the PROGUN VDB Marketplace, a consumer-facing online weapons marketplace with over 35,000 listings from more than 370 member dealers; the NWR-Waffenbuch, an electronic weapons register subscription at €24.95 per month for members that integrates with the German National Weapons Register (Nationales Waffenregister) via the XWaffe data exchange standard; and the NXC.de B2B portal launched in September 2025 and branded 'Vernetzt. Verkauft.' (Connected. Sold.). The association also operates the Fight4Right advocacy membership at €3 per month, a merchandise shop, a multilingual weapons dictionary (Waffen-ABC), a politician letter-generation tool, and a member shipping interface integrated with OverNight Express & Logistics / DER KURIER.

VDB's business model is membership-driven: ordinary members (weapon specialty stores) pay membership dues and gain access to compliance software, distribution channels, and political representation; extraordinary members (industry suppliers) and supporting members (Fördermitglieder) at €3/month provide additional revenue. The association is ISO 9001:2015 certified by TÜV Rheinland, holds two registered trademarks on its logo, and serves as an ideeller Träger of the IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair in Nuremberg. Leadership comprises President Michael Blendinger (AimZone GmbH, elected March 2023, also President of AECAC at the European level) and Managing Director Ingo Meinhard (in role since 2013), with a lean staff of 7 employees. Beyond commercial services, VDB is an active lobbying body, engaging German federal and EU-level policymakers on firearms law, as evidenced by Brussels visits and the partnership with the Bayerischer Jagdverband.

Name

Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e. V.

Legal name

Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e.V.

Website

https://vdb-waffen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VDB is a 1949-founded German non-profit trade association (e.V.) representing gunsmiths and weapon specialty stores. It provides the PROGUN marketplace (35,000+ listings, 370+ dealers), the NWR-Waffenbuch compliance subscription, and the NXC.de B2B portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NWR-Waffenbuch Subscription: Monthly subscription service for VDB members providing electronic weapons register book functionality with NWR interface and free support. Priced at 24.95€ per month plus VAT.
2. Supporting Membership (Fördermitgliedschaft): Supporting members pay 3€ per month to support the association's lobbying and advocacy work for fair weapons law.
3. PROGUN VDB Marketplace: The marketplace platform connects consumers with member weapon dealers. While explicit commission details are not disclosed, the marketplace drives business to member stores.
4. VDB Merchandise Shop: Sale of VDB branded merchandise including promotional materials and flyers for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VDB is a German trade association for gunsmiths and weapon specialty dealers that operates three core service platforms for its members: the PROGUN VDB Marketplace (a consumer-facing weapons marketplace with 35,000+ listings from 370+ dealers), the NWR-Waffenbuch (electronic weapons register book with NWR government-system integration at €24.95/month), and the NXC.de B2B portal for industry networking and commerce. The association also provides political lobbying, regulatory guidance, and advocacy services (Fight4Right campaign) to advance fair firearms legislation in Germany and the EU.

Product overview

Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e.V. (VDB) operates as a trade association providing a platform of interconnected products and services for Germany's firearms industry. The core offering is the PROGUN VDB Marketplace—a B2C/B2B weapons marketplace with over 35,000 listings from 370+ member dealers. Supporting the marketplace is the NWR-Waffenbuch, an electronic weapons registration system with NWR interface for regulatory compliance (€24.95/month for members). The NXC.de B2B portal ('Vernetzt. Verkauft.') connects member businesses for trade. Additional services include Fight4Right advocacy membership (€3/month), a merchandise shop, weapons dictionary (Waffen-ABC), educational offerings, job board, and an online letter generator for political advocacy. The products form an ecosystem supporting legal firearms commerce, regulatory compliance, member networking, and industry advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NWR-Waffenbuch: Electronic NWR (Nationales Waffenregister) weapons logbook service for members, offered at €24.95/month (excl. VAT), including NWR interface and free support.
• NXC.de
• Fight4Right

Products and services

• PROGUN VDB Marketplace (Waffenmarkt) Online consumer marketplace for used, hunting, and sport firearms with over 35,000 listings from more than 370 member weapon dealers. Enables private individuals to list weapons from their gun cabinets for sale and allows members to post purchase requests and sales offers.
• NWR-Waffenbuch (Electronic Weapons Register Book) Electronic weapons record book service for VDB members at €24.95/month (plus VAT). Includes NWR interface for connection to the National Weapons Register and free support, enabling weapons dealers to maintain digital records compliant with German weapons registration requirements.
• NXC.de B2B Portal B2B portal for the firearms industry branded as 'Vernetzt. Verkauft.' (Connected. Sold.). Enables networking and business transactions between VDB member businesses. Represents VDB's first B2B platform launch for the firearms trade sector.
• Fight4Right (Fördermitgliedschaft) Campaign and support membership program for advancing VDB's lobbying work. Available for €3/month, supporting the association's advocacy for fair firearms legislation.
• VDB Merch-Shop Online merchandise shop for VDB branded items including tactical ducks and promotional materials. Offers free flyers and advertising materials to support member outreach.
• VDB Versand-Schnittstelle (Shipping Interface) Technical interface for shipping weapons and ammunition that simplifies the shipping process for VDB members through integration with logistics partners such as OverNight Express & Logistics.
• VDB Waffen-ABC (Weapons Dictionary) Technical weapons dictionary offering translations in German-English, English-German, German-French, and French-German to support industry terminology for members and the public.
• VDB Briefgenerator (Letter Generator) Online advocacy tool enabling citizens to send standardized letters to politicians regarding firearms legislation, used in campaigns to mobilize public opinion on weapon law issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 35,000 weapon listings on the PROGUN marketplace from 370+ dealers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ampere AGminorOthersAmpere AG provides energy consulting services to VDB members, offering negotiated electricity and gas rates through framework agreements.
• CarFleet24minorOthersCarFleet24 provides vehicle purchasing services to VDB members, helping them find vehicles at favorable prices for company fleets or employees.
• CRONBANK AGminorOthersCRONBANK AG is a financial services partner offering banking solutions to VDB members.
• OverNight Express & Logistics GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationVDB has a long-term cooperation agreement with OverNight Express & Logistics GmbH, a subsidiary of DER KURIER, for shipping weapons and ammunition. The partnership enables simplified B2B shipping with waived ID verification requirements.
• GGAminorOthersGGA is a partner providing services to VDB members.
• GrantLift GmbHminorOthersGrantLift GmbH is a partner providing grant and funding support services.
• HQS GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationHQS GmbH provides NWR software integration for the VDB NWR-Waffenbuch service.
• IWA OutdoorClassicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDB is an ideal sponsor (ideeller Träger) of the IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair in Nuremberg, one of the most important international trade fairs for hunting weapons, sport shooting, outdoor equipment, and equipment for authorities.
• KVoptimal.de GmbHminorOthersKVoptimal.de GmbH provides legal protection insurance solutions exclusive to VDB members.
• PiP LaserminorOthersPiP Laser helps VDB members comply with new EU requirements for minimum marking depth (0.0762mm since July).
• Pro ImageminorOthersPro Image is a partner providing image and marketing services.
• ProvenExpertminorOthersProvenExpert provides review and rating collection services for VDB members at special rates.
• Der Sicherheits-CheckerminorOthersDer Sicherheits-Checker provides security assessment and verification services.
• A.T.U.minorOthersA.T.U. (Auto-Teile-Unger) is a partner for automotive services.
• First DataminorOthersFirst Data provides payment processing services.
• Handelsverband HessenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDB is affiliated with the Handelsverband Hessen (Hesse Retail Association), which connects VDB to the broader German retail industry. Since 2022, VDB is affiliated with HDE through the Hesse Retail Association.
• Landbell AGminorOthersLandbell AG provides packaging waste disposal and environmental compliance services.
• Rheinischer-Inkassodienst e.K.minorOthersRheinischer-Inkassodienst e.K. provides debt collection services.
• ZukosminorOthersZukos provides business services.
• Rechtliche UnterstützungminorOthersLegal support services for VDB members.
• AECAC (Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Weapons)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDB President Michael Blendinger serves as President of AECAC, representing European manufacturers and traders of sporting weapons at the EU level. VDB participates in AECAC activities including visits to Brussels for meetings with EU Commission and Parliament members.
• Bayerischer Jagdverband (BJV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDB and Bayerischer Jagdverband (Bavarian Hunting Association) deepened their cooperation in July 2026 to jointly advocate for hunting, trade, craft, and legal weapon ownership.
• European Airsoft FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDB represents Germany in the European Airsoft Federation, advocating for Airsoft interests in Europe.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF): US trade association for the firearms, ammunition, and hunting/shooting sports industry. Comparable to VDB as a national firearms trade association providing advocacy, member services, and industry events (SHOT Show), though operating in a different regulatory environment.
• Deutscher Schützenbund (DSB): Germany's largest sport-shooting federation with over 1.3 million members. A broader incumbent in the German firearms/shooting ecosystem; comparable to VDB in providing member services and political representation, but focused on sport shooters rather than the trade/craft side.

Direct peers

• JVS (Verband der Hersteller und Importeure von Jagd-, Sport- und Verteidigungswaffen): German trade association representing manufacturers and importers of hunting, sport, and defense firearms. Directly comparable to VDB as a German industry association serving the firearms sector, though focused on the supply side rather than retail/gunsmith trade.
• Forum Waffenrecht e.V. (FWR): German firearms law forum association historically allied with VDB on policy advocacy. Directly comparable as a German firearms-policy advocacy organization, though a non-commercial legal/policy association rather than a trade body.
• AECAC (Association of European Countries' Arms and Ammunition Collectors): European umbrella organization representing national firearms trade and collector associations, currently presided over by VDB's own president. Directly comparable as a peer-level industry association, with VDB acting both as a member and as a leadership node within AECAC.
• Bayerischer Jagdverband (BJV): Bavarian Hunting Association, a major regional hunters' association that VDB deepened cooperation with in July 2026. Comparable as a German hunting/firearms membership organization with overlapping constituency (legal weapon owners, hunters) and joint advocacy interests.
• Bundesverband Schießstätten (BDS): German federal association of shooting range operators. Comparable to VDB as a national membership association serving a firearms-related commercial constituency in Germany with political advocacy and member services.

Others

• IWA OutdoorClassics: Major international trade fair for hunting, sport shooting, and outdoor equipment held in Nuremberg, for which VDB serves as an ideal sponsor (ideeller Träger). Comparable as a key ecosystem participant and channel for VDB's member engagement, though a trade-show operator rather than a trade association.

Regional players

• British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC): UK-based membership organization representing shooting and conservation interests. Comparable to VDB in combining trade/dealer support with broader advocacy for legal firearms use, but operating in the UK market with different regulatory frameworks.

Emerging players

• Gunfinder: German firearms search engine and marketplace that explicitly integrates with the VDB Waffenmarkt to increase visibility of member listings. Comparable to VDB's PROGUN marketplace as a German firearms listing platform with overlapping product categories and customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VDBVerband
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6kZG2XqHy3PD2dPCq2BVSw
• Facebookfacebook.com/VDB.VerbandDeutscherBuechsenmacher
• Instagraminstagram.com/vdb1949
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vdbwaffen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Verband Deutscher Büchsenmacher und Waffenfachhändler e. V.