Wilhelm Mauser, (May 2, 1834 - January 13, 1882) was a German weapon designer and manufacturer/industrialist.Mauser was born in Oberndorf am Neckar, in what was then the Kingdom of Württemberg. His father and his four brothers were gunsmiths.Together with his brother Paul Mauser (1838 - 1914) Wilhelm Mauser designed the Mauser Model 1871 rifle, the first of a successful line of Mauser rifles and pistols.