Unusual "Stutzer"
The rifle shown is a commercial hunting rifle of the type known as a "Stutzen". Similar rifes, on Mauser 98 systems, are quite common here in Mauserland.
In fact, here is a link to its brother
Forums.NitroExpress.com
"Stutzen" are carbine-sized hunting rifles with a full shaft, intended for use when stalking in the woods. The full shaft lets the hunter "beat around the bush" and rest the rifle on a brach or tree-trunk or whatever is lying around, without resting the rifle on the naked barrel. So effectively a brush rifle. I am at a loss to explain what it was doing anywhere near the front line in WWI.
Firstly, no ordinary soldier should have been carrying anything else but the rifle he was issued with. Especially in those very early days, before any "make do & mend" pressures had arisen.
Secondly, although offices provided their own arms, these were normally side-arms. Officers in those days were very concerned to give the impression that the dirty work of killing was something a gentlemen left to the troops. Hence the carrying of swords and handguns which were totally useless to attack enemies at rifle distances, but rather items with which to control one's own soldiers!
I can only surmise that the hypothetical officer took his Stutzer along to what was supposed to be "all over by Christmas", anticipating some pleasant hunting in the woods of a
France
that had been thoroughly defeated by the hammer of the Schlieffen Plan. As he found out, the hard way, and as we all know through hindsight, it didn't turn out that way at all...
Regardless of the story, that is certainly a most unusual rifle in that the divided front end woodwork allows it to be converted from a Stutzer to a short rifle.
Just one last point. For decades,
German gunsmiths continued to make hunting rifles in the older chambering 8x57I, instead of the modified 8x57IS. They also made the barrels TIGHTER to match the 8x57I ammo, which was plentiful. So please check whether it has the S mark on the barrel or receiver ring, and if no such mark is visible, go cautiously. Use only 8.08mm / 0.318" bullets, and NOT the 8.20mm / 0.323" bullets of the S-chambering.
Patrick
Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick
Unusual "Stutzer"
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