Adolf Furrer

Adolf Furrer (born Johann Adolf Furrer-Kägi, 13 November 1873 – 15 January 1958) was a Swiss small arms designer. He was the director of the Waffenfabrik Bern for 19 years and held the rank of Oberstbrigadier (Chief Brigadier) in the Swiss Army. Adolf Furrer was involved with numerous firearms designs in the Swiss Army's arsenal in the first half of 20th century. He is most well known for the Furrer MP41/44 submachine gun that Swiss Army adopted during World War II, thanks to passionate lobbying of Swiss Army officials. The Furrer MP41/44 would become regarded as one of the worst firearm designs of World War II and history. Johann Adolf Furrer-Kägi was born on 13 November 1873 in Zürich, Switzerland. At an unknown time, before 1921, he had joined the Swiss Army. He rose from a junior officer to the rank of Colonel while in service. Around 1921, Colonel Furrer was appointed as head of the Waffenfabrik Bern, state small arms factory. He would remain director of the factory up until 1940.