nadrepadre
New member
My dad sent me this and said his buddy found it when his father passed away. What is it? I told him to take pictures of any markings.
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Help ID this old rifle
- Thread starter nadrepadre
- Start date
nadrepadre
New member
looks like its an old Shuetzen.
That appears to be a German or Swiss "schuetzen" rifle. It may also fall under the category of a "flobert" or parlor gun. That all sort of depends on the caliber.
Most were used for indoor target shooting. They came in a variety of levels. Judging by the engraving and carving on your example, it's likely a high end example OR something made to look like one.
If it's authentic, it's likely from the late 1800s and worth quite a bit of money.
Here's a YouTube video and another article that covers the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9cefHFO5Rs
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/book-reviewschuetzen-rifles-history-and-loadings/
Most were used for indoor target shooting. They came in a variety of levels. Judging by the engraving and carving on your example, it's likely a high end example OR something made to look like one.
If it's authentic, it's likely from the late 1800s and worth quite a bit of money.
Here's a YouTube video and another article that covers the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9cefHFO5Rs
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/book-reviewschuetzen-rifles-history-and-loadings/
Actually, I misspoke a bit. Many "schuetzen" rifles were built for 200 yard offhand competition. However, indoor, parlor, practice rifles were built in the same style. So the caliber will really dictate what you have, however, I stand by my statement that if it's authentic, it's likely very valuable.
Jim Watson
New member
Agreed, European schuetzen rifle, Martini type action. Has QD knob and lever for ready removal of breechblock and set trigger group for maintenance.
Stock may well have been carved to fit the original owner for offhand shooting.
Most of them in the USA were confiscated during the post WWII Occupation and brought home as novelty souvenirs.
Has open rear sight for events requiring it, but the peep rear is not in place. Those were often stored off the gun and the GI who confiscated or it did not know to get it.
Stock may well have been carved to fit the original owner for offhand shooting.
Most of them in the USA were confiscated during the post WWII Occupation and brought home as novelty souvenirs.
Has open rear sight for events requiring it, but the peep rear is not in place. Those were often stored off the gun and the GI who confiscated or it did not know to get it.
nadrepadre
New member
Thanks guys I'll let him know. I was thinking it might be an indoor one with the brass receiver all engraved like that
A popular way of shooting the Schuetzen rifles is to seat a bullet (usually long, heavy cast) into the chamber throat using a solid brass dummy cartridge. Then chamber a charged cartridge (no bullet) to power the pre-seated bullet.
These guys achieve amazing accuracy with this method. I had a guy send me his custom mold to make bullets for him. He was using a 32-20 cartridge for powder, and the bullet was a 225 gr., .323" dia. He pretty much lobs them all into one hole at a hundred yards. jd
These guys achieve amazing accuracy with this method. I had a guy send me his custom mold to make bullets for him. He was using a 32-20 cartridge for powder, and the bullet was a 225 gr., .323" dia. He pretty much lobs them all into one hole at a hundred yards. jd
Idaho 45 Vaquero
New member
My father has a rifle almost identical to that one. (different engraving). His was made in Suhl, Germany. I believe his is in 8.15x46mm, he has several firearms in that caliber. They often don't have makers names on them. Most all are made in Germany, but the Swiss, Austrians, Danish, Belgians, Czech's, alpine French & alpine Italians made them as well. You can usually identify where it was made based on the proof marks. Germany often had individual marks for different regions and towns.
I'm only able to recognize Suhl's markings, Belgian, some Austrian and most Swiss, with out researching it. Switzerland almost always has used a cross shape proof mark on its barrel. (same as Schmidt Rubin rifle, looks like plus + sign). Belgium uses an ELG inside a circle. Suhl Germany's for most of the time period was a angular crown over and N (for nitro).
They are now worth quite a bit and getting more recognition now. Their price growth has been held back because of lack of familiarity, not lack of quality. About everywhere its safe to say $1000 + in value. They can be sorta unpredictable when they sell.
I'm only able to recognize Suhl's markings, Belgian, some Austrian and most Swiss, with out researching it. Switzerland almost always has used a cross shape proof mark on its barrel. (same as Schmidt Rubin rifle, looks like plus + sign). Belgium uses an ELG inside a circle. Suhl Germany's for most of the time period was a angular crown over and N (for nitro).
They are now worth quite a bit and getting more recognition now. Their price growth has been held back because of lack of familiarity, not lack of quality. About everywhere its safe to say $1000 + in value. They can be sorta unpredictable when they sell.