Timeline: A Gunmaker's Progress

Major events in the history of Glock

1963

Glock organized in Austria to make metal and plastic products

1970

Manufacturer adds military and police items, such as knives and grenades

1982

Glock receives a contract to make a new service pistol for the Austrian army

1986

U.S. approves Glock for pistol imports; an American unit opens in Smyrna, Ga.

1987

Charles Ewert begins work with Gaston Glock on international corporate structure

1987

Jacksonville (Fla.) Sheriff's Office is one of first U.S. agencies to adopt Glocks

1994

Smith & Wesson introduces Glock knock-off; Glock files successful patent suit

1999

Gaston Glock survives attack by hammer-wielding assailant in Luxembourg

2003

Ewert convicted in Luxembourg of hiring hit man to kill Gaston Glock

2008

Paul Jannuzzo, once the company's top U.S. official, indicted for embezzlement

2008-09

IRS allegedly examines the finances of Glock companies