Need help identifying this old muzzleloader

[Marv D]

Recently I found an old target rifle at a gun show. I couldn't identify it but the price was right so I bought it so I could research it and hopefully identify it. A friend who saw it sent me a link to an 1851 Feldstutzer article and it does look close. Rear sight appears to have been changed at some time in the past and the tang sight removed. Marked in a couple of places with G. Stahl. Can anyone shed some light on what I bought on a whim? Thanks

 

[Sam squanch]

It’s European! Or maybe a Turner rifle?

 

[flconch53]

Looks Germanic . I don't know about that sight

 

[smoothshooter]

Recently I found an old target rifle at a gun show. I couldn't identify it but the price was right so I bought it so I could research it and hopefully identify it. A friend who saw it sent me a link to an 1851 Feldstutzer article and it does look close. Rear sight appears to have been changed at some time in the past and the tang sight removed. Marked in a couple of places with G. Stahl. Can anyone shed some light on what I bought on a whim? Thanks

VERY NICE looking rifle. What caliber?
Love the stick architecture.
Wouldn’t mind to have it myself.

 

[TFoley]

1. G. Stahl = Cast steel.

OR

G. Stahl = name of barrel or even gunmaker. Are there no other marks on it - anywhere? The set triggers are interesting and belong to a high grade sporing rifle.

What calibe is it, in metric, please.

 

[Marv D]

1. G. Stahl = Cast steel.

OR

G. Stahl = name of barrel or even gunmaker. Are there no other marks on it - anywhere? The set triggers are interesting and belong to a high grade sporing rifle.

What calibe is it, in metric, please.

The guy I bought it from stuck a gage in the muzzle when I ask that question and said "It gages about 10.5 mm."

 

[TFoley]

The guy I bought it from stuck a gage in the muzzle when I ask that question and said "It gages about 10.5 mm."

So, a proper hunting rifle, possibly for boar, stag or even chamois. Needs some carefully thought-out brining back to life. What like is the bore?

 

[flconch53]

That is alittle over .41

 

[TFoley]

That is alittle over .41

It might convert to .41cal, but you can bet your pension that it's metric.

 

[flconch53]

It might convert to .41cal, but you can bet your pension that it's metric.

Just posting the decimal equivalent. Really not a big bore

 

[Mle1822]

Its indeed a Swiss military rifle, although not sure how much was altered.

 

[Rudyard]

So, a proper hunting rifle, possibly for boar, stag or even chamois. Needs some carefully thought-out brining back to life. What like is the bore?

Add prospective people to the list . Be my guess .
Rudyard

 

[TFoley]

I'll repost images on the Swiss Rifle Collectors' Forum, of which I am a member.

 

[TFoley]

A Swiss gentleman writes - 'Defrocked 1851 federal carbine.' In US m/l terms, that would be 'de-farbed'.

You are answered.

 

[Relic shooter]

I concur with TFoley & MLE1822 , this is a Defrocked 1851 Swiss Federal rifle.
This rifle is very similar to one I examined recently on a table at a Boise/ Nampa gun show, the original sights had been removed & the barrel had been re-lined to shoot round balls rather than original styled .41 cal. slugs.
Bummer, these were / are very accurate rifles when left in their original state.

 

[Marv D]

So, a proper hunting rifle, possibly for boar, stag or even chamois. Needs some carefully thought-out brining back to life. What like is the bore?

The bore is in very good condition. Bright with sharp rifling. E

I'll repost images on the Swiss Rifle Collectors' Forum, of which I am a member.

Thanks

Recently I found an old target rifle at a gun show. I couldn't identify it but the price was right so I bought it so I could research it and hopefully identify it. A friend who saw it sent me a link to an 1851 Feldstutzer article and it does look close. Rear sight appears to have been changed at some time in the past and the tang sight removed. Marked in a couple of places with G. Stahl. Can anyone shed some light on what I bought on a whim? Thanks

 

[rmark]

IIRC, those Swiss used several bullet styles, Accurate Bullet molds 40-289MN is a copy of one of the later ones.

 

[Clark Badgett]

A Swiss gentleman writes - 'Defrocked 1851 federal carbine.' In US m/l terms, that would be 'de-farbed'.

You are answered.

De-darbed means to bring a modern reproduction item into accordance with norms of the era. Defrocking is more alike sporterization.

 

[TFoley]

De-darbed means to bring a modern reproduction item into accordance with norms of the era. Defrocking is more alike sporterization.

Don't shoot the messenger - the Swiss gentleman who took the trouble to answer speaks good English, but not precise English. Please cut him some slack.

I know what he means, and YOU know what he means - all as-issue identification has been removed from this rifle, why, we'll never know.

 

[nit wit]

The guy I bought it from stuck a gage in the muzzle when I ask that question and said "It gages about 10.5 mm."

I think the barrel has 11 on it.
NW