Background Reading on Flintlock Jaegers?

[Clovis6]

Looking for recommendations on a good book or online article on the history & development of flintlock Jaeger rifles. Have my eye on a really nice used one, but am not sure what to look for relative to what they should look like depending on the period they were built.

 

[Notchy Bob]

George Shumway put together a nice book with very clear black-and-white photos and expert commentary on a bunch of originals. This may be your best bet for your first reference. It costs $30-$35 new.

Google “George Shumway jeager book.” I know Track of the Wolf has it, or you can order directly from the publisher.

I can post a link later, if needed.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[Notchy Bob]

This is the book:

Here is a link to Track of the Wolf's listing for it: Jaeger Rifles by George Shumway

...and the website for the publisher's description: George Shumway Publisher - Jaeger Book

I don't know how much information you'll find about flintlocks, but there is actually a whole website devoted to German firearms for hunting. It would not hurt to poke around a little there: German Hunting Guns

Good luck! We hope you'll show us your rifle, if you buy it.

Notchy Bob

 

[oldwood]

Notchy Bob has you on the right trail. One step better , in addition to Bob's idea , pull out the stops , and go see and handle some Jaegers. I did it the hard way , though fun , for a psycho m/l gun mechanic like me. Back in the early 1970's , I ran into a noted local m/l gun builder , Phil Cravener and he was shooting a scratch built Jaeger rifle. I was so motivated at seeing his rifle , and through studying Shumway's literature , the following year at the shoot , I had built my own version of a Jaeger rifle. I found out through using the one I created , I had listened to some "bad birds" , that said big calibers were traditional ,but not understanding the statement in that big calibers were made for hunting game over bait from elevated blinds to make sure kills, at short distances. So ,( Dunce Boy) , that would be me , built his gun in rifled .69 caliber. I found out that stoking up a short light large cal. rifle , to shoot deer on foot was a bad idea. So , not to be deterred by ignorance , I built another Jaeger for a guy in .54. This gun was an improvement , over the large bore .69 cal. gun , I started with , due to the reduction in caliber. Over time , I built several more reduced caliber Jaegers for other folks , and finally , through Kit Ravenshear's help , settled on a Durrs Egg British style Jaeger , in the powerful ,and accurate rifled .62 caliber. With 90 gr. FFG , no deer escaped from being hit with this gun. As my eyes aged , I needed a longer sight plane , and lengthened the barrel to 37 ". Still a very good and accurate rifle. I encourage you to own a Jaeger or so , and keep the caliber down from .62 or less , for deer , if you intend the gun for that purpose. I think I learned good info over the years , but it wasn't the easy road of research from existing literature. Gotta say though , it was fun.......oldwood

 

[Clovis6]

Notchy Bob has you on the right trail. One step better , in addition to Bob's idea , pull out the stops , and go see and handle some Jaegers. I did it the hard way , though fun , for a psycho m/l gun mechanic like me. Back in the early 1970's , I ran into a noted local m/l gun builder , Phil Cravener and he was shooting a scratch built Jaeger rifle. I was so motivated at seeing his rifle , and through studying Shumway's literature , the following year at the shoot , I had built my own version of a Jaeger rifle. I found out through using the one I created , I had listened to some "bad birds" , that said big calibers were traditional ,but not understanding the statement in that big calibers were made for hunting game over bait from elevated blinds to make sure kills, at short distances. So ,( Dunce Boy) , that would be me , built his gun in rifled .69 caliber. I found out that stoking up a short light large cal. rifle , to shoot deer on foot was a bad idea. So , not to be deterred by ignorance , I built another Jaeger for a guy in .54. This gun was an improvement , over the large bore .69 cal. gun , I started with , due to the reduction in caliber. Over time , I built several more reduced caliber Jaegers for other folks , and finally , through Kit Ravenshear's help , settled on a Durrs Egg British style Jaeger , in the powerful ,and accurate rifled .62 caliber. With 90 gr. FFG , no deer escaped from being hit with this gun. As my eyes aged , I needed a longer sight plane , and lengthened the barrel to 37 ". Still a very good and accurate rifle. I encourage you to own a Jaeger or so , and keep the caliber down from .62 or less , for deer , if you intend the gun for that purpose. I think I learned good info over the years , but it wasn't the easy road of research from existing literature. Gotta say though , it was fun.......oldwood

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like it was a fun journey. The only caliber I have ever seen in Jaegers has been .62. I have always thought that was part of what made it a Jaeger. Will try to pick up a copy of the Shumway book when I am at Dixon's in Kempton, PA next Saturday. If he doesn't have one, I will put an order in with Track of the Wolf.

 

[oldwood]

A caveat to the Jaeger rifle post.... I went and looked at my collection of Jaeger rifle parts and found a gem. The dusty shelf , had a 28" , .75 cal. Getz T and F Jaeger barrel inlet into a preshaped walnut stock. Dang , looks like I found another Zombie back in the dusty corner , to add to the bucket list , along with my .87 cal. Jaeger. No clue what to do w/these two after they're built. I'm tellin folks somethin' ain't right , so I just have to build these two misfits , then git the young neighbor to help me sight them in. , before I am forced to cash in , and head for the bright light in the sky.