"Waffenfabrik" simply translates to "weapons factory" in German. If a .22 LR rifle bears a prominent stamp like Waffenfabrik Mauser or Waffenfabrik Walther, it is likely a standalone German firearm, not a Weatherby.
  • German Training Rifles: Pre-WWII German factories produced highly accurate .22 LR rifles known as Sportmodell or Meisterschaftsbusch target rifles for marksmanship training. A prime example is the Waffenfabrik Walther Sportmodell.
  • The High-Power Link: Weatherby did use German-made actions for its early high-power centerfire hunting rifles. Between 1959 and 1973, famous flagship rifles like the Weatherby Mark V were built in West Germany by J.P. Sauer & Sohn. However, Sauer did not manufacture Weatherby's rimfire .22 LR lines. 
Identifying Your Rifle
If you are looking at a specific firearm with these markings, it is likely one of two things:
  1. A German-made Anschutz-production Weatherby Mark XXII bolt-action rifle (marked "Made in Germany").
  2. A classic German vintage sporting/training rifle (from Walther, Mauser, or Anschutz) that has been misidentified or paired with a Weatherby-branded vintage optic. 
I can help you pinpoint the exact history and value of the firearm if you can tell me:
  • Is the rifle a bolt-action or a semi-automatic?
  • What are the exact serial numbers or text stamps printed on the receiver and barrel?
  • Does it feature a detachable box magazine or a tubular magazine under the barrel?