Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive late 19th century German Zimmerstutzen, or parlor target rifle, signed A FISCH PFAFFENHOFEN on the barrel and built in the elaborate tradition of Bavarian Schützen arms. Measuring approximately 42 1/2" overall, it combines the appearance and handling characteristics of a full size percussion target rifle with a short approximately 4mm rifled insert at the muzzle, a long internal striker or plunger, set trigger, deeply sculpted walnut stock, hooked target butt plate, and loading port positioned near the forward end of the barrel. The result is a particularly interesting example of the specialized indoor target rifles that became a fixture of German shooting culture during the late 19th century.

The German term Zimmerstutzen translates essentially as “room rifle” and refers to small caliber target arms developed for shooting at relatively short indoor ranges. Rather than requiring a full length rifled barrel, many traditional examples used only a short rifled insert located near the muzzle. The remainder of what appears externally to be the barrel served largely as a housing for the long firing pin or striker connecting the lock mechanism to the ammunition.

These rifles grew out of Germany's deeply established Schützen shooting tradition. Schütze means shooter or marksman, and organized target shooting clubs were an important part of social and sporting life throughout Germany and neighboring regions. Full size Schützen rifles were often substantial, highly individualized target arms with elaborate stocks, set triggers, specialized sights, and hooked butt plates. The Zimmerstutzen allowed much the same style of precision offhand shooting to continue indoors at much shorter distances.

The top of the barrel is signed:

A FISCH PFAFFENHOFEN

Pfaffenhofen is a town in Bavaria, Germany. We have not yet been able to establish whether A FISCH was the actual maker of this rifle, a retailer, or a gunsmith who completed or sold an arm made from components supplied elsewhere. We therefore preserve the marking exactly as found without assigning a more specific maker attribution.

The barrel is additionally marked:

GUSSSTAHL

indicating cast or crucible steel. A small hexagonal mark is also present, but we have not positively identified its meaning.

No conventional German government proof marks are visible on the exposed breech area. They may be located beneath the stock or barrel where they cannot presently be examined without disassembly. This absence is also potentially useful for dating. Germany's first national proof law was enacted in 1891 and came fully into force on April 1, 1893, after which sporting arms normally received standardized proof marks. The lack of visible proofs is therefore compatible with an arm made around the early 1890s, although it does not by itself establish an exact manufacturing date.

The rifle measures approximately 42 1/2" overall and has an external barrel measuring approximately 27". At its forward end is a rifled insert approximately 7 1/2" long, retained by a wedge.

This short insert is characteristic of traditional front loading Zimmerstutzen construction. The rifle is not loaded through the muzzle in the conventional sense. Instead, the projectile or small primed target cartridge is introduced through an opening in the underside of the barrel approximately seven inches behind the muzzle, directly at the rear of the short rifled insert.

Unlike some other Zimmerstutzen systems, this example does not appear to use a swinging or rotating cartridge carrier. The ammunition is placed directly into the loading opening.

The rifle was built externally in the form of a traditional percussion target arm, with a side lock mounted on the right side. Internally, however, the hammer operates a long striker or plunger running forward through the barrel housing. Cocking the hammer retracts this striker, allowing the ammunition to be placed at the rear of the rifled insert. Pulling the trigger then drives the striker forward to ignite the priming compound and propel the small projectile through the short rifled section.

The lock remains mechanically functional during careful manual inspection. It holds at half cock and releases correctly from full cock. Cocking the hammer also retracts the internal plunger as expected.

The rifle is fitted with a functional set trigger enclosed within an elaborate iron trigger guard. Set triggers were a characteristic feature of German target rifles, permitting an extremely light final trigger pull once the mechanism had been prepared.

The stock is one of the most visually impressive aspects of the rifle. It is configured in classic Schützen style with a massive left side cheekpiece, extensively checkered wrist, and a large hooked iron butt plate intended to help stabilize the rifle during standing target shooting.

The fore stock is also finely checkered and fitted with a contrasting bone plate along its underside. A small sling swivel remains attached beneath the barrel, while a substantial stud on the underside of the butt stock served as the rear sling attachment.

There is an empty dovetail at the muzzle where a front sight was originally mounted. A second empty dovetail is present on the rear tang and was most likely intended for a specialized target or aperture sight. Neither sight is now present.

A fixed notch rear sight does remain on the center portion of the barrel and is mounted on a comparatively elaborate base.

As best we can determine through manual inspection, the mechanical system remains functional, although we have no suitable ammunition with which to test actual firing or loading operation. The set trigger operates correctly, the lock cocks and releases, and the hammer retracts the internal striker as intended.

The metalwork is in very good display condition and has developed a pleasing aged gray and brown oxidized patina. There is scattered light peppering, but no major destructive corrosion noted. Areas of original blue finish are still visible beneath the patina.

The walnut stock has an attractive warm brown appearance with strong figure and considerable visual character. It does, however, show several significant old repairs.

Along the upper right side of the fore stock is an approximately 7 1/2" long graft following the wood line.

There is also a repaired crack running through the action area beneath the side plate. This appears to have once been a substantial break extending through the stock, but it has been repaired and the rifle presently remains intact.

With its bold A FISCH PFAFFENHOFEN signature, elaborate Bavarian style Schützen stock, functioning set trigger, unusual short rifled insert and long striker system, surviving GUSSSTAHL marking, and handsome old target rifle architecture, this is a particularly appealing example of late 19th century German indoor shooting culture. Its missing specialized sights and old stock repairs speak to a long working life, while the unusual mechanism makes it an excellent addition to a collection of German target rifles, Zimmerstutzen, antique air and gallery arms, or specialized European sporting firearms.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1890
Caliber: 4.0mm
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm pellet with Percussion cap
Barrel Length: 27 inches - 7 1/2 inch insert
Overall Length: 42 1/2 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Barrel Loaded

NOTE: BB Guns / Pellet Guns are restricted in many areas in the United States. Please check local laws prior to ordering.

A Schützen (also spelled Schuetzen) is a type of rifle used in European long-range competition. Its German root is from the word Schütze which can be translated as “shooter.” The earliest usage was to denote units of marksmen or sharpshooters back in the days of muzzleloading firearms. Some sources claim that it was once used to describe archers or more specifically crossbowmen. These rifles are typically heavy and can weigh upwards of 15 pounds. All shooting with these rifles is done standing using a palm rest and butt stock prongs to help the shooter balance the rifle so the weight aids in stability.

When Schützen became a competitive sport in Germany and the surrounding areas, many gun makers built these rifles to specifically fit an individual shooter. Being bespoke, that means that it will often not fit anyone else perfectly with regards to grip, length of pull, cheek rest configuration or even how the butt plate fits the shoulder. As time went on however, indoor shooting became much more common, and the well-off would have "shooting parlors" built into their houses, while others would attend meetings at larger venues. As full charges were not needed at all, this led to the introduction of Zimmerstutzen (Parlor Rifles), which often look to have been adapted from Schützen. These fired small caliber (4mm) pellets with percussion caps on the back, which would be projected a short distance out the muzzle.

All purchases are sent signature required UPS. Priority Mail is not available for this item. You must be 18 years old to purchase this model and 21 to sign for the package.

This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machinegun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).

International Military Antiques, Inc., nor any representative thereof, can accept any responsibility for injury or damage of any description arising from intentional or accidental use of these guns. Persons not qualified to do so should not attempt to disassemble these units. USE WITH CAUTION!

SAFETY GUIDELINES
PELLET GUNS ARE NOT TOYS! Never ever point your pellet gun at another person! They can cause significant harm.

Do not carry your pellet gun in public. It should NEVER be carried on the street, hidden on your person, or left carelessly in your car. Do not leave it where it is accessible to unsupervised children or irresponsible adults. If a police officer sees you with one he will shoot first ask questions later. These pellet guns look very much like real firearms.

Imitation New Made Gun Laws:-
CALIFORNIA and KANSAS:
Imitation Firearms, regardless of date, may only be shipped:
1. In conjunction with a frame or presentation box; or
2. Solely for export in interstate or foreign commerce; or
3. Solely for use in theatrical or re-enactment productions; or
4. For use in certified sporting events or competitions; or
5. For use in military or civil defense or ceremonial activities; or
6. For public display authorized by public or private schools:
CONNECTICUT, MASSACHUSETTS, WISCONSIN and MINNESOTA:
All replicas of antique firearms (pre-1898) are allowed. We will not ship replicas of modern firearms (post-1898) to these states.
NEW YORK STATE AND PUERTO RICO:
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