Eduard Kettner stalking rifle

[David Lapell]

Thank you for allowing me to join. I recently acquired a Commission rifle that was made in Suhl from all appearances and marketed by Eduard Kettner. It remains in 7.92 x 57mm Mauser with the .318" diameter barrel. The barrel is Bohlerstahl, the double set triggers work and work very well. One of the questions I have is the proof mark I cannot find in the "Standard Directory of Proof Marks". I'm assuming it's Suhl because of the hen and the hen for years was the trademark for the city of Suhl.

I would also like to find out a bit more of the history of these types of rifles, I've seen a couple more, but they're not all exactly identical. Some have a different caliber, some the scope mounts are in a different place, a couple are simpler single shot, stalking rifles. Who made them in Suhl, were they popular in Europe? How long were they made for?

[mike ford]

David,
Without commenting on whether a hen was Suhl's trademark or not, the mark with a hen and CGH in a circle is not a proof mark. I believe it is the mark of C G Haenel who likely made the rifle for marketing by Ed. Kettner. While the Mauser patents were in force gunsmiths/makers had to buy Mauser actions, barreled actions, and rifles from Mauser Oberndorff a/Necker; at a fairly high price. A very popular alternative was rifles built on Mod. 88 Commission actions. C G Haenel was one of the companies that made Mod 88 Commission rifles for the Government, so were well qualified to engage in this trade. While expensive, the Mod.98 Mauser had features that gave them advantages over the Mod. 88. To be competitive, the C G Haenel company made two improved models of the basic commission rifle, the Model 1900 and Model 1909. Descriptions of these improved models have appeared in GGCA publications. After WW1, surplus military rifles were widely available for stripping for the action alone or for "sporterizing". Since there were so many of these military rifles, they were available very cheaply and not restricted by the patents. While it didn't happen "over night" this availability of Mod. 98 actions spelled the end of the Mod 88 and and it's improved model rifles. Rifles were normally sold with open sights and if the owner desired a scope, he selected what ever scope he wanted and and whoever he wanted to mount the scope. This resulted in the variation of scope mounts and locations you noted. The particular scope mount bases on your rifle are a type I have never seen before. Maybe our technical advisor can identify them.
Mike

[Themauserkid]

Agreed, that is not a proof mark, but a maker mark. There are many types of actions that bear a resemblance to the Haenel action, that are not Haenel produced, and they are common pre turn of the century, well into the 40’s. Studying rifles that “appear like this” will no doubt be a varied and broad subject. Your scope mounts are by far the most unique feature of your rifle, I like how they are integrated with the rear sight. These mounts, given their location, are almost undoubtedly for the Voigtl?nder Skopar model D which is an early long eye relief unit.

[sharps4590]

Ah-ha....and I stand corrected. I believe I told Dave it was a mark for the Suhl proof house, not an actual proof mark. Obviously both incorrect. Now I'll have to pull my Haenel/Rasch down to see if it shares that mark...as I don't remember...

[mike ford]

Vic,
If your rifle is marked Haenel on the receiver ring or sidewall it might not also have that mark.
Mike

[Axel E]

That bird in the Haenel trademark is not the hen of the former country Henneberg with the town Suhl. A Haehnel, spelled slightly different but pronounced the same, is a kleiner Hahn = little rooster in many German dialects. So the trademark has a Haenel and the letters CGH for Carl Gottlieb Haenel..

[mike ford]

Axel,
Did you recognize the scope mounts on the above rifle?
Mike

[Axel E]

Never seen such mount bases before. Apparently for a single foot clawmount. Apparently an one off example handmade by some smith or hobbyist. Design, execution and finish are far below professional German gunsmithing standards. I agree, it held a Voigtlaender D scope once, like the one on my M1900 Haenel “New Model”.
Sorry, posting a photo did not work!

[mike ford]

Thanks Axel.
Mike