Original Swiss German Made Percussion Short Rifle with Set Trigger by Royal Württemberg Gun Factory Serial 2896 - Dated 1862

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting example of a German-made Swiss Percussion Short Rifle, or possibly an artillery carbine, of a type that we have not been able to accurately identify. It bears a resemblance to both the Swiss Infanteriegewehr (Infantry Rifle) Model 1863, the first Swiss army service rifle to feature a rifled barrel, as well as the very similar very similar Feldstutzer 1851, the first the first service rifle used by the Swiss armed forces to be procured by the federal government. However, it is definitely not either, and also has a much larger bore of about 14.4mm / 0.56", while the standard Swiss percussion caliber of the time was 10.5mm. The earlier Model 1842 had a caliber of 18mm, and we did see another Swiss rifle recently that had a bore of 11.5mm, so non-standard bores were not out of the ordinary.

The rifle is marked VERY faintly on the lock plate with KÖNIGL. WURT. FABRIK, short for Königlich Württembergische Gewehrfabrik (Royal Württemberg Gun Factory). This was a state-owned firearms manufacturer from 1812 to 1874 located in Oberndorf am Neckar. They are a known maker of arms under contract for Switzerland, and the factory would be purchased by the Mauser brothers in February 1874, becoming the famous Mauser-werke of Oberndorf, one of the most famous and innovative arms factories of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We also noted a faint 1862 date on top of the barrel nocks form, and there is 2896 on the breech plug / cap bolster. We had considered that this possibly was a conversion from smoothbore, however .56" is definitely well below the usual musket bore.

In form, it looks very much like an Artillery Short Carbine version of the Model 1863 rifle, measuring 45" overall with a 29 1/2" barrel, with a long bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel, most likely for the long saber bayonets usually issued with short rifles. The fittings such as the barrel band and nose cap are of an earlier style though, almost identical to those featured on the Model 1842 Musket, retained by band springs. It has sling swivels on the nose and butt stock, and the front sight is mounted on the barrel, not the nose cap. The lock is identical to that featured on the models 1851 and 1863, and it also features the Set Trigger usually only seen on the Feldstutzer 1851. It has a brass tipped ramrod under the barrel with cleaning ribs on the narrow end, and a tangent rear sight.

Overall condition is very good, with a lovely color to the wood, and no major damage from use or abuse. The lock works well, though as it is a set trigger, it has no half-cock position, and when set is pretty much a hair trigger. The metalwork has a lovely matured patina from cleaning and removal of past oxidation. We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing 5 groove rifling clearly with a partly bright finish. There is wear to the lands, as well as past oxidation and fouling, so it definitely did see a good amount of use, but was well cared for. The rear sight is present and work well, and both sling swivels are still present, though stiff.

A very interesting Mid 19th Century Swiss Service Short rifle, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: 0.56" or 14.4mm
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 45 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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