In 1888 the Rothschilds began to branch out into the Weapons Manufacturing business.

The Maxim-Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company was the result of a takeover by Hiram Maxim of Thorsten Nordenfelt's Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company in 1888. Rothschild issued £1.9 million (1888) (equivalent to £264.26 million or US$328.46 million in 2023) worth of shares to finance the merger. Nathan Rothschild retained a substantial shareholding in the new Maxim-Nordenfelt combine and ‘exerted a direct influence over its management’.

The company became part of the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, which was taken over by Vickers, Sons and Company in 1897 to form Vickers, Sons & Maxim. This gave Vickers a complete naval shipbuilding, engineering and armaments capability.

In 1911, the company expanded into aircraft manufacture and opened a flying school. They expanded even further into electrical and railway manufacturing, and in 1928 acquired an interest in the Supermarine.

Vickers, Son & Maxim (later known as Vickers Limited) became known as the most significant arms manufacturers during World War I, producing a vast quantity of weapons and ammunition for the British Empire and its allies. The company played a crucial role in supplying the war effort, particularly with its iconic Vickers machine gun, which became a staple of British and Commonwealth forces.

Vickers was heavily involved in the production of ammunition, particularly for its machine guns and other small arms. The company manufactured millions of rounds of .303 British ammunition, which was the standard caliber for British rifles and machine guns during the war. Vickers, Son & Maxim was a critical supplier of weapons and ammunition during World War I, producing everything from machine guns and artillery to tanks and naval guns. Its contributions were vital to the Allied war effort.

In 1888 the Rothschilds began to branch out into the Weapons Manufacturing business.

The Maxim-Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company was the result of a takeover by Hiram Maxim of Thorsten Nordenfelt's Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company in 1888. Rothschild issued £1.9 million (1888) (equivalent to £264.26 million or US$328.46 million in 2023) worth of shares to finance the merger. Nathan Rothschild retained a substantial shareholding in the new Maxim-Nordenfelt combine and ‘exerted a direct influence over its management’.

The company became part of the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, which was taken over by Vickers, Sons and Company in 1897 to form Vickers, Sons & Maxim. This gave Vickers a complete naval shipbuilding, engineering and armaments capability.

In 1911, the company expanded into aircraft manufacture and opened a flying school. They expanded even further into electrical and railway manufacturing, and in 1928 acquired an interest in the Supermarine.

Vickers, Son & Maxim (later known as Vickers Limited) became known as the most significant arms manufacturers during World War I, producing a vast quantity of weapons and ammunition for the British Empire and its allies. The company played a crucial role in supplying the war effort, particularly with its iconic Vickers machine gun, which became a staple of British and Commonwealth forces.

Vickers was heavily involved in the production of ammunition, particularly for its machine guns and other small arms. The company manufactured millions of rounds of .303 British ammunition, which was the standard caliber for British rifles and machine guns during the war. Vickers, Son & Maxim was a critical supplier of weapons and ammunition during World War I, producing everything from machine guns and artillery to tanks and naval guns. Its contributions were vital to the Allied war effort.