M1803/41/51 Kongsberg Jaeger Rifle

[ron wehmeyer]

Here is one for the Big Bore guys among us. Its my Model 1803 /41/51 Kongsberg Jaeger Rifle . The old rifle started life at the armory in Kongsberg Norway in 1803 as a .64 caliber flintlock. In 1841 it was sent back to Kongsberg to be updated to percussion, then in 1851 it was again sent back to be bored and rifled to .72 caliber , a new Pillar breech was added and the rifle was fitted with the Long Range sights that is still has today , along with the Dog lock on the lock. The old Jaeger has a 28-3/4" Swamped barrel five groove round bottom rifle that is bright und shinney all the way back to the chamber wall and pillar is shiney and sharp.As you can see (if my pic. works) the wood is in great condition including the sliding wood cover. I have only had the old rifle for a wk. or so and have inspected the complete rifle . It is in good working order , so there will be a range report coming soon. Makes me wonder how long has it been since she last spoke and made smoke. At the moment I have .700" rb. and patch. I am working on getting a mould made for the original bullet that it was designed for . Will post again after range day . If anyone has had experience with these rare Jaeger rifles I would like to hear about it . Or just want to chat about it . Sincerely DT

 

[timothy prouty]

HEY nice rifle.and if you are looking for a mould for your rifle?go to moose mold comp they mite be able to help you? Hope this helps and nice rifle again :bow:

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Thanks Flinter, I will give them a look. I have been using Accurate Moulds ! They do great work.,,DT

 

[timothy prouty]

Try to look at cap an ball u tube they have a lots of stuff. :idunno:

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Hey Flinter36 Thank you for the tip on Moose Moulds . They look like a good company . I have seen some of Cap N Ball video'a about old Jaeger rifles and hunting with them. Very enjoyable . I am in the process of making the paper cartridge ,using round ball. The powder is Schuetzen #2 , .700" rb. wrap in .0006 paper , dip in wax/tallow mix. A charge of only 75 gr. of this powder , will allow the pillar to protrude enough above powder charge to upset the ball. May be able to test soon . Will post results. Ron Wehmeyer ,,,DT

 

[Cowboy]

Wow!

Sure is a sharp looking Jaeger. You seem to have alot of history on it!

Let us know how it shoots.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Thank You for the kind words Cowboy. Hope I can get some shooting in this wk. And post the results. ,,,DT

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Had a chance to shoot the old Jaeger rifle yesterday. As I had stated this type of Jaeger has the Pillar breech system designed for pointed bullet shooting. I chose to use prb. for some target shooting. This one has a 28-3/4" swamped barrel .72 cal. I used a .710 heavy denim patch , was a very tight fit. I have made a special .625 oak wood ramrod with large push end enforced with brass. I also made another oak rod brass tip that holds the chamber scraper that is counterbored for the pillar. I used a charge of 85 gr. 2ff powder at the begining in order to completly cover the pillar so the ball would not be impailed on the pillar. I found that the Jaeger was more accurate with a charge / same powder but quantity of 90gr. Or I just began to learn the feel of this fine old rifle. At 50yd. the .72 was sighted about 6" above POA . The same load and sight picture was used at 100yd. for a just below 4" center group. The extreme heat of July here in Tx. made shooting longer unplesant. I hope to do more shooting with the old .72 Jaeger soon and report back. ,,,Ron Wehmeyer ,,,DT

 

[Cowboy]

Had a chance to shoot the old Jaeger rifle yesterday. I chose to use prb. for some target shooting. This one has a 28-3/4" swamped barrel .72 cal. I used a .710 heavy denim patch , was a very tight fit. I found that the Jaeger was more accurate with a charge / same powder but quantity of 90gr. Or I just began to learn the feel of this fine old rifle. At 50yd. the .72 was sighted about 6" above POA . The same load and sight picture was used at 100yd. for a just below 4" center group. The extreme heat of July here in Tx. made shooting longer unplesant. I hope to do more shooting with the old .72 Jaeger soon and report back. ,,,Ron Wehmeyer ,,,DT

Ron, We appreciate the range report on your Jaeger! Bet you had a good time even though you had to put up with the Texas heat!

Sounds like she's a shooter! I have always had a soft spot in my heart for those Jaeger's. Just love everything about them! Not a copy or a reproduction, but you have the real thing! I envy you my friend. :haha:

Also love the fact that you have so much history on that rifle! Would love to put my hands on an original Jaeger and send a ball down range. Maybe one of these days I'll get the opportunity to do so.

You have a nice rifle and love your history on her as well.

Hopefully the weather will get a little cooler and you can give her another go!

Keep us posted with another range report when you get the chance my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[nwtradegun]

so when does the elephant hunt begin

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Hello Cowboy, The Jaeger rifles are one of my favorites also. Hope to get in some shooting with the old Jaeger rifle soon and have a more detailed report. This first time out with the .72 was more of a test for both of us. I am affraid it will be some time around October before we get some relief from the Texas heat. I too am a History buff . One thing is for sure , If we ever do get the chance to meet , my friend, you will have an opportunity to shoot the old Jaeger all you would like. Sincerely Ron Wehmeyer DT.

 

[ron wehmeyer]

RJ, the hunt will begin just as soon as I can get one of these hogs that pose as fence workers , LOL ,to pose as an elephant. Some of them look like rino's . Thank.s for the comment ,,,DT

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Had a chance to shoot the old Jaeger .72 cal. this fine Sunday morning! The more I shoot this old lead baller , the more I like it. It is soon becomming familiar to me . Had to do a bit of mental calibrating in order to get the feel of holding for the .710 cal. ball. But I think I'm catching on. Nothing like walking around and shooting what ever strikes you in wild country. Helps me get used to what I can and cant do with a Gun/ Load combo! ,,,DT

 

[ron wehmeyer]

More shooting with the .72 and RB.Have become to like shooting the old rifle. Added a period corect leather sling for use while hunting. This is why I am posting today hauling around a loaded and capped rifle while hunting slung over shoulder , I have been useing the Dog Lock Safety on the Kongsberg and must say , I wonder why this type of safety design did not get used more , in later yrs. It is positive safe, keeps the cap covered and in place , releases itself when going to half cock or full cock. And is out of the way when fireing the rifle. Wish all of my hunting muzzleloaders had this Dog Lock Safety. ,,,DT

 

[Captjoel]

Dusty, the dog lock safety did indeed go well beyond the time frame of your once flintlock rifle.

During the mid 19th century percussion period, many European rifles were equipped with a similar mechanism that pretty much performed the same task.

This is an example of a nice little 54 caliber jaeger rifle that was made in Zella (Germany)around the 1840-60 timeframe. Also a very fun piece to shoot!

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Captjoel , that is a beautiful little Jaeger .I cant immagine needing anything else for a hunting rifle. Yes my Kongsberg was born a Flintlock in 1803 and converted to percussion in 1841. I have a very similar Jaeger to yours made in Suhl , By Goellner in .56 cal. with the what I refer to as ( Stalking Lock) on a back action percussion lock. The Jaeger / Rifle is very much like yours , not in as good condition. The Stalking lock on my Jaeger must be moved by hand into firing position. While the Dog Lock needs just the cocking of the hammer to disengage from safe position, to firing position. The only reason I can see that these safeties did not continue through today , is the cost of labor . ,,,DT

 

[bpd303]

Those are some very nice Jaeger's indeed. I have always loved them. Don't know if anyone remembers this one I picked up that needed a lot of TLC.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/288590/

 

[ron wehmeyer]

Hello there bpd303 , I do remember reading / following your restoration of that fine old Jaeger you have. You gave the old Jaeger the TLC it deserved. When shooting the bullet , have you used the pillar, or stayed above it ? The old Goellner that I have is similar to your's. It is a back action lock also . They are very smooth and light to the touch locks. The Goellner has the same bore size as yours @ .560 " Bore and .600 " Groove but no pillar . The Kongsberg Jaeger 's pillar / Breech is great shape shiney / sharp. Just recieved the correct mould to cast bullets for the Kongsberg and use the pillar. Will test when I can and post the results. Shoots a rb. great . Needs 85gr. of 2ff as a minimum to get above the pillar point enough not to impale the ball. The Bullet is heavy and I will load its service charge of 71 gr. of powder, for starters, in order to use the pillar system. The Kongsberg Jaeger has the original heavy steel bullet shaped ram rod for upseting the bullet. Will be interesting to shoot that big bullet pillar seated . Thanks for your reply . Dont run into many pillar breech shooters in this day and age. ,,DT

 

[bpd303]

With both the patched ball and hollow base minie bullet, I only seated them with a tap but didn't try to upset them. I think both compressed the powder and made contact with the pillar. It shot so well I didn't try any other combinations.

 

[ron wehmeyer]

By the looks of your targets with that old Jaeger . I would not change a thing .,,DT