Original Item: Only One Available. 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. These were made by well known artisan level gunsmiths, and this example is marked on the top of the in Germanic Black Letter type with Panchaud a Lausanne, or "Panchaud in Lausanne". This is a city on the Northern Shore of Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. This is a known maker of these Schützen target rifles, and we have seen several others in various configurations.

This example is half stocked, and features a relatively heavy 35 1/2" spiral forged octagonal barrel with a bore of about 0.65", which is heavily rifled. The rifle is about 52 inches in overall length, and is equipped with an elaborate wood stock with a large intricate butt plate. It is fitted with a SET TRIGGER enclosed in an elaborate nickel silver trigger guard with finger grooves, which is actually REMOVABLE, something we have not seen before. We assume possibly it allowed it to be swapped out for another trigger guard, so maybe multiple people would be able to use it. It is fitted with a three leaf rear sight, and simple front sight. The stock has a lovely checkered wrist and large cheek piece on the left side. The fittings are all very decorative, including a lovely "Mermaid" escutcheon for the lock plate screw.

We checked the action of the rifle, and the set trigger is fully functional, and in this case the lock cannot be fired at all without setting the rear trigger. It does have a half cock position, but will not fire from that position even if the trigger is set, though the rear trigger will need to be reset before it is put to full cock. We noted that the substantial ramrod under the barrel looks to be original, and is threaded in one end for various tools, which are unfortunately not included. There is however some type of tool that screws into the upper butt plate, which when removed is a tapered threaded rod.

A truly beautiful piece of Swiss Craftsmanship, more than ripe for furthe research and ready to add to your collection!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: 0.65"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 35 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 52 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.