Jaeger rifle

[fafnir]

I'm trying to determine the origin, age and possible value of what appears to be a Jaeger rifle. I was unable to attach photos, but it is 42" LOA, and appears to be about .70 caliber. It has a bayonet lug and is a caplock.
There are several stamps on the rifle and some type of script initials on
the barrel. It also has the number 1676 stamped into the barrel, lockplate and stock. I'd be happy to send photos to anyone who thinks they might be able to help. Thanks Much!

 

[Mp7]

No photos - no fun.

Sounds a bit early for a "Jager-Rifle", also a bit long, and the caliber a bit big.
And Jager-rifles usually had no bayonet lug.

Does is have Rifling??

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Some of the marks are undoubtedly proof marks. Google "Proof Marks" and you should get a variety of resources to try to match the marks to which should allow you to establish a country of origin. That combined with the bayonet lug should allow you to gather more information. The 1676 is probably a serial number. Were there any cartouches in the stock? They usually will give an indication of manufacture date and origin.

 

[fafnir]

Your questions

It is rifled and there are no cartouches on the stock. There is what appears to be a "crown" over a "K" on the lockplate.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Back-action lock or regular?
Originally a flintlock or was it built as a percussion?

 

[Jim Watson]

42" Length Over All is pretty short for a muzzleloader, even a Jaeger.
The bayonet lug is interesting, not something you would find on a repro.
Multiple serial numbers are not common on guns that old.

I'm wondering if it might not be a sporting gun converted to military service by shortening the barrel and adding a bayonet lug. Or something like a Brunswick.

We really need close clear pictures.

 

[fafnir]

Jaeger

I took some fairly good photos but for some reason I'm unable to upload them to this site. I keep getting a message about a "security key".
If someone sends me their e-mail and they haven't had problems uploading photos, I'll send the photos and they can upload them for the interested parties to see.

 

[rcmodel]

The best way to post photos here is to upload them to a free photo hosting site like Photobucket.com.

And then post the links to the photos here.

rc

 

[fafnir]

Jaeger

Here's a link to Photobucket...should be 6 photos.
http://s1283.beta.photobucket.com/u...ary/?&_suid=136035224061500065566225027859914

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I hate to complain, but do you have a picture a little further back of the whole rifle? Have you removed the stock to determine if there are any markings under it? The crown is a fairly common mark but there are literally hundreds of different crown designs used in the proof marks. I will try to dig through my library of proofs and see if I can find a similar one. I don't believe the numbers on the trigger guard are useful for identification purposes.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've seen a jaeger with a bayonet before.

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Bd7-Ji_hE

It's a military Jaeger. I know I've seen one for sale on GB at some point in the past. IIRC these were Germanic military versions of their hunting rifles. They were used in central and northern Europe a lot. They tended to be plain jane affairs compared with ornate hunting jaegers. And I don't know that they followed any formal pattern like the muskets did. They weren't really replaced until the mid-19th century so it makes sense that yours would have been upgraded over the years. Maybe with that new sight and a caplock for example.

My bet is if you can ID those stamps it will tell you what military force used it. It's possible the SN's were put on in the course of some upgrade. Or maybe it was a late model made in the 19th century. I wonder when the central powers started serializing their guns?

One example from Norway:

http://norskevaapen.no/?p=541

I think a lot of us (myself included) tend to forget that our Colonials were NOT the first guys to use rifles in combat.

I would suggest some deep searches on GB to find some value ideas, but in any case it's a very interesting piece rarely seen stateside. And from the photos it may still be shootable, though obviously you'll want a close inspection before you do.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Cosmoline: Thanks for that video! Guy and Leonard A-R-West were the chief source of information for developing paper cartridges for my 1860's era Podewils-Linder Bavarian Army rifle. They have a wealth of information on old European military weapons.

Try this website for Proof Mark identification: http://proofmarks.tripod.com/

 

[fafnir]

Jaeger

Thanks everybody...I've e-mailed and attached the photos to the guy
in Norway who had the website with the photos. I'll also chech the
link that was recently posted. Thanks again for your interest and input.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Good find Cosmoline. I just opened it on a regular full screen computer instead of the smartz phone.

 

[Cosmoline]

I just remembered where I've seen one. It was on the rack down at The Gun Works in Springfield Oregon. Struck me as real peculiar. I can't remember details beyond that, FWIW.