Heinrich Fortmeier designed the Steyr HS-50, which is basically Fortmeier’s single shot with a number of minor improvements: bigger muzzle brake, Steyr-style bolt handle and a fluted barrel with a distinct taper.

I was told that a number of “Iraqi HS-50″ were recovered from Sadr City in 2008 (I have no way to verify this, I am taking the information that was passed to me at face value).

My theory is this: Fortmeier sold Iran a number of their rifles. They later licensed the design to Steyr. Steyr then got Fortmeier to produce a large number of their original rifles for Iran, but with the Steyr-brand bolt handle and their 3-baffle muzzle brake.

I believe Steyr’s original claim they sold 800 HS-50 rifles to Iran was a load of BS. They sold 800 Fortmeier rifles.

The Fortmeier has a number of distinct differences to the HS-50 and cannot be considered the same rifle (in the same way that a M16A3 cannot be called a M16A1 or a M4).

That still does not explain why a Fortmeier was found in Iraq. Given its dilapidated state (rusted bolt handle), I think it dates back a number of years before the Steyr-Iran sale.

Possibly Iran troops wore out or mistreated some of their Fortmeiers and they ended up in the junk pile to be shipped off overseas to their militant allies.