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A couple of weeks ago I bought the German Schuetzen rifle shown in the photos below.
What I have found out about this rifle is that the maker was:
B. Stahl; Suhl in Thuringen. Listed in German trade directories of the 1890s
as a maker of ‘weapons and cartridge cases’ (Waffen- u. Patronenhulsenfabrik),
this business was run by Babette Stahl, the daughter (or, perhaps, widow) of
Richard Stahl, until sold in 1901 to G.C. ?Dornheim of Suhl.
And the modified Martini style action was designed by her late father (husband??):
Richard Stahl; Suhl in Thuringen, Germany. Two types of rifle designed by
this gunmaker may be encountered. The rarer, dating from 1869, embodied
a self cocking pivoting block action operated by a bulky two part lever in the
enlarged trigger guard ahead of the trigger. The 1873 pattern was operated by a
breech block extension lever running down the right side of the stock wrist. By
1880, Richard Stahl had turned to true Martini action rifles at the expense of
his own designs. He was succeeded by Babette Stahl (above).
The gun is going to need a LOT of TLC and cleaning and rust removal. Sadly this fine rifle (which was brought back from Germany at the end of WW2)
was hung above the WW2 vet's basement fireplace until he passed several years ago and the rifle ended up in his sons possession.
Speaking of rust - Suggestions on the best way to tackle this would be greatly appreciated.
I'll post some photos later of the progress I have made so far.
Right Side View:
Left Side View:
Top View:
Left Receiver Closeup:
What I have found out about this rifle is that the maker was:
B. Stahl; Suhl in Thuringen. Listed in German trade directories of the 1890s
as a maker of ‘weapons and cartridge cases’ (Waffen- u. Patronenhulsenfabrik),
this business was run by Babette Stahl, the daughter (or, perhaps, widow) of
Richard Stahl, until sold in 1901 to G.C. ?Dornheim of Suhl.
And the modified Martini style action was designed by her late father (husband??):
Richard Stahl; Suhl in Thuringen, Germany. Two types of rifle designed by
this gunmaker may be encountered. The rarer, dating from 1869, embodied
a self cocking pivoting block action operated by a bulky two part lever in the
enlarged trigger guard ahead of the trigger. The 1873 pattern was operated by a
breech block extension lever running down the right side of the stock wrist. By
1880, Richard Stahl had turned to true Martini action rifles at the expense of
his own designs. He was succeeded by Babette Stahl (above).
The gun is going to need a LOT of TLC and cleaning and rust removal. Sadly this fine rifle (which was brought back from Germany at the end of WW2)
was hung above the WW2 vet's basement fireplace until he passed several years ago and the rifle ended up in his sons possession.
Speaking of rust - Suggestions on the best way to tackle this would be greatly appreciated.
I'll post some photos later of the progress I have made so far.
Right Side View:
Left Side View:
Top View:
Left Receiver Closeup:
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