Jaeger Rifles

For anyone interested in Jäger (Jaeger) Rifles I highly recommend the book Steinschloss-Jägerbüchsen by Erhard Wolf and the Translation book by Eric A. Bye. The book is in German but the Translation book that is also available makes it a super resource. The main book with 570 pages has stunning photography of the highest order and lots of never seen before information.

Contact Jon Spencer of the German Gun Collectors Assoc. for information on price and availability. You can call him at (435)979-9723 or email him at: [email protected].

Click HERE to read an article about Ron Scott, a master builder of contemporary Flintlock Jaeger rifles in America.

Following are images of a Wheel-lock Rifle made by Ferduinand Ridler am Spital am Phyrn in the Early 17th Century which shares many characteristics with and may be a forerunner to the later Flintlock Jägers. The barrel length is 27″ (69cm) with and overall length of 40″ (102cm) with a cal. of 14.5mm. It is Courtesy of Johann Springer’s Erban Auction House.

 

Secondly we have a sample of a Military Jager Short Rifle in 13.9mm caliber for comparison to the Sporting Jägers that follow. It is a model 1807 manufactured around 1810 with a 26″ (66cm) Barrel and an overall length of 41 1/4″ (105 cm). It is also courtesy of Johann Springer’s Erban.

Now we proceed to the true sporting Jäger Rifles with images from Herman Historica Auctions in Germany of a Johann Keuchenreuter – Jäger Rifle which they sold in their Oct. 27, 2016 Auction. © Hermann Historica GmbH, Grasbrunn/Munich

Following are images of a Jäger rifle listed in Poulin’s Aug. 2026 Auction and is courtesy of them.

RIFLE BY HERRMANN OF QUEDLINBURG. Cal. 70. S# NSN. This large heavy rifle was probably made for long range shooting at deer with barrel supported on a wall or rampart. It is of high quality and appears to have been made around 1740. The massive 38-3/4″ slightly tapered octagon barrel measures 1.53″ at breech and 1.43″ at muzzle. Barrel is fitted with one standing leaf, “V” notch rear and brass blade front sights. Barrel is decorated overall with punched in swirls and blossoms. Breech section is silver inlaid with some acanthus leaves. Maker’s name and address “HERRMANN. QUEDLINBURG” is in silver inlaid acanthus terminated ribbon on top of barrel (possibly Christian Ernst Herrmann the younger of Wildenfels, which is not too far from Quedlinburg, who was working around 1740). Lock with rounded plate features reinforced serpentine cock, inset rounded pan, unbridled friction frizzen and file decorated feather spring with trifid finial. Lock is engraved with some relief scroll. Rifle is fitted with double set triggers. Stock made of European walnut extends to muzzle with heavy schnabled brass cap and is pinned to barrel. Raised carved scrolls surround barrel tang and are found at ends of swept right hand cheekpiece. Relief mouldings are around locks, engraved brass sideplate and along ramrod channel. A patchbox is on right side of butt with sliding wooden cover. An eight pointed star of contrasting woods is inlaid on cheekpiece. All furniture is brass that is very nicely relief engraved in floral motif with heavy buttplate, trigger guard with bump forming grip and large sideplate previously mentioned. A newer hickory ramrod with bone tip mounts through heavy spurred front pipe, beaded mid pipe and heavy thimble. CONDITION: good. Iron parts are lightly cleaned brown patina. Stock with heavy oil refinish with details softened. Brass nicely toned to mustard brown. Bore is very good; shiny with some scattered deep pits. Lock and set triggers are operable. (01-27825/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.

Lot #5381

Following are images of a .60 caliber Flintlock Jäger Rifle by Stremmel who worked in Halle, Saxony circa 1725.

Next we have a group of images of a magnificent silver mounted .60 caliber rifle simply marked “Junker a Grumbach”. Nothing is known about this maker at the present time. This rifle is a good example of what is referred to as a Capuchin stock: a stock in which the Triggerguard and Butt Plate are of wood, sometimes the Triggerguard being part of the whole stock. In a 1751 Hunting Book it mentions that the chased, cast and engraved fitttings have become passé, and that in their stead the triggerguard and butt plate should be carved from wood.