Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

The train eventually arrived at the Hamburg Port, and the trio made their way to the dock to board their ship. As they walked towards the vessel, the salty sea air filled their nostrils, and the sound of seagulls crying overhead added to the cacophony of the port.

The ship was a majestic sight, with its towering masts and billowing sails. The crew was busy preparing the ship for its journey, their calls and shouts echoing across the dock. Passengers were milling about, some with excited expressions, while others looked anxious about the impending voyage.

The wooden deck creaked beneath their feet as they boarded the ship, and the wind whipped through their hair as they made their way to their cabins.

As they entered their cabin, they were greeted with a luxurious and spacious interior. The walls were adorned with elegant wallpaper and oil paintings of majestic ships, and the furniture was made of fine polished wood. The beds were covered with crisp white sheets and plush pillows, inviting them to sink into a comfortable slumber.

"This is quite the accommodation," Jonathan remarked, running his hand over the smooth surface of the wooden dresser.

"It certainly is," Poul agreed, taking a seat in one of the velvet armchairs. "Just like the ship that took us here from New York."

Poul's gaze flickered to Amelia. "Ms. Weiss, could you please give us the room for a minute? I have something to discuss with my partner."

"Of course, Mr. Nielsen, if you need anything, please reach out to me in my room," she said, curtsying. She turned around and left the cabin.

As Amelia closed the door behind her, Poul and Jonathan began.

"This war coming to Europe in the coming months or year would result in a greater impact on one of our enterprises," Poul said.

"Yeah, our arms manufacturing company. The war will be a stage of introduction for our rifles. The United States Military was buying them but if this war broke out and saw the effectiveness and advantages of it, they'll surely buy hundreds of thousands more."

"It's true what they say, there's always money in guns in this era," Poul said. "And if that's the case, we can't just settle in our rifles. Let's expand to pistols and machine guns."

"What type of pistol? Semi-automatic pistols or Revolvers," Jonathan asked.

"What do you think is more popular in this era?"

Jonathan hummed in thought and spoke. "I think it's the revolvers. Semi-automatic rifles in the late-nineteenth century were not yet widely used, so I assume the same goes for pistols."

"But there's fierce competition between arms manufacturing companies to develop the most efficient and powerful revolvers. If we want to stand out, we must offer something different. If we can build the M1 Garand, I'm sure we can already build it."

"What weapon do you have in mind?"

"How about an M1911 Colt Pistol?" Poul proposed.

Jonathan stroked his chin, pondering the idea. "Yes, the Colt pistol is a classic design that has stood the test of time. Its semi-automatic action is revolutionary, allowing for faster shooting and increased accuracy. We can definitely build upon its foundation and make improvements based on our experience with the M1 Garand."

He leaned in closer, his eyes glinting with excitement. "We could experiment with different barrel lengths and calibers, perhaps even incorporate a new type of rifling that we've developed. And the trigger mechanism, we could refine it to make it even smoother and more responsive."

Poul's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "I like where you're going with this. What about the grip? Can we change it to make it more ergonomic?"

The M1911 pistol, like many firearms of its time, had a design that some modern shooters might consider less ergonomic than contemporary designs. For example, the grip angle of the M1911 is steeper than most modern pistols, which can make it feel less natural in the hand for some shooters.

Jonathan nodded, smiling. "Absolutely. We can design a grip that fits the hand more comfortably, reducing recoil and increasing accuracy.

Jonathan nodded, smiling. "This is taking me back to a time when we were discussing the M1 Garand. Well, I think it's already decided. Semi-automatic pistol it is."

"Oh, in this period, this world already has machine guns and artillery," Jonathan said.

"The Hiram machine gun? I read about it in the newspaper some time ago. Invented by a man named Hiram Maxim, which is basically the parallel Hiram Maxim in our world. But this one is earlier. So, should we compete with machine guns as well?"

"As much as I would love to, we must not diversify our production into creating different products. A pistol would do, and once we expanded, we can start designing our own machine gun," Jonathan said and continued. "Am I the only one who is feeling kind of odd talking about this?"

"What do you mean?" Poul inquired.

Jonathan's smile faded, replaced by a pensive look. "It just feels like a deviation from our original plan," he said. "We set out to revolutionize the world of electricity, and now we're delving into the world of weapons and steam locomotive devices."

Poul leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in thought. "I understand your concerns, Jonathan," he said. "But sometimes, our plans and goals can shift and evolve as we move forward. We must be adaptable and willing to seize opportunities when they present themselves."

"Not that I'm against it, Poul. Don't misunderstand me," Jonathan said.

I know, Jonathan," Poul replied, offering a reassuring smile. "We're just taking advantage of the circumstances and making the best out of it. Our business is expanding, and we're making a name for ourselves in different industries. We can always go back to our original plan of revolutionizing electricity when the time is right. And speaking of which, you told me that Caroline is ready to invest money in case we want to start right?"

"That is right," Jonathan confirmed.

"Well, she's in luck, because in a year or two, we might start our electric distribution and manufacturing enterprise. Electricity is taking the world by storm, with our electric motors that are making work, and James Russel's light bulbs that are lighting up the night. No doubt, there will be an increased demand for electricity, and the direct current distribution wouldn't be able to keep up with that demand. That's where we come in."

"But first, let's take each and every opportunity that comes our way right?" Jonathan asked, his smile returning.

"Damn right," Poul said.