Martini Stutzer rifles were made in Switzerland from the 1880s to around the 1950s. These rifles were custom made according to the requirements and specifications of the person ordering the rifle. They were built by a variety of Swiss gunsmiths and manufacturers for either target shooting or hunting.
These rifles are based off the popular Martini action which was an improvement over the Peabody dropping block action. The Martini action would go on to be used in the famous Martini-Henry rifles for the British military. The Martini Stutzer is not a Martini-Henry.
Given these were custom made to order rifles they are found in a wide variety of calibers such as; 10.4mm / .41 Swiss, GP90 / 7.5×53.5 Swiss, GP11 / 7.5×55 Swiss and other niche Swiss calibers as well as 22lr and various hunting calibers.
This Martini Stutzer rifle is a bit of a mystery as it is lacking in most of the usual identifying proof and maker marks. It is also a conversion. The bore measured between 14.6 to 14.9mm on the caliper suggesting this may have originally been chambered in .577/450 Boxer-Henry / Martini-Henry. There is some obvious black powder fouling present a few inches down from the muzzle to support that this was originally made for an early black powder cartridge.
Given the high caliber this was most likely built as a Martini Jagdstutzer (hunting rifle). The lack of Swiss proof/maker marks and the styling of the rifle does suggest this may have been German made for the Swiss market. While there are some Swiss made examples without maker marks they are less common than the German. Best guess is this was originally made in Germany for the Swiss market some time in the 1880s as a hunting rifle.
At some point later it was converted to .22lr with the addition of an insert barrel. The rear insert is split allowing it to function as an extractor when the lever is lowered. There has been a bar mounted to the left side receiver for the mounting of a rear diopter sight. The rear sight has been removed from the barrel. The front sight has a diopter mounted which appears to have replaced the original front sight. These changes were obviously made to take this from a hunting rifle to a target rifle. With this conversion to .22lr and uncertainty to date (other than prior to 1950) this rifle is classified C&R.
This rifle has a 32 inch fluted octagonal barrel with an approximate 14.7mm / .577 bore. The .22lr barrel insert is approximately 24 inches long. The overall length is 51 ¼ inches. The weight comes in at 11 pounds.
This rifle features front and rear diopter sights. There is a side rail mount (smooth metal bar) for the rear diopter on the left side of the receiver. This rifle is missing its rear sight. The top finial of the butt plate is missing. The receiver has a hole at bottom for screwing in a wooden ball hand support but the hand support is missing.
This rifle is in very good condition. The barrel finish is very good with only minor wear however the muzzle shows near complete finish loss. There are few small scratches evident where the rear sight had been mounted. There is a very minor ding on the lower left side near the forend. There are no visible marks to indicate the barrel maker. The original bore is clean at muzzle but fouling is evident further down from muzzle. The .22lr barrel insert is excellent, very clean, and showing crisp rifling.
The sides of the receiver show minor finish loss. There is minor wear and staining on the inside as well as some minor signs of grime under the ramp. The lever / trigger guard shows finish loss from wear and a nice patina. The double set triggers and trigger plate are very good with minimal signs of wear. Lever, Triggers, and Action all function normally.
The butt plate is missing a finial at the top. The butt plate does show wear but mostly at bottom. None of the metal parts on this rifle show active rust or pitting.
The butt stock is very good with very minor wear. There are a few small dings and scratches. Overall the finish is very good. The brass plate on the right side would have had the owner’s name. It was either never engraved or it has worn off. The forend is good but there are a number of dings on both sides near the receiver. There is a long crack on the left side from front of forend to the side pin. A very small crack is present at front right side forend.
The diopter sight functions as it should and shows only minimal wear.
DISCLAIMER ON SHOOTING
All parts of this rifle have been inspected for correct mechanical function. The lever and double set triggers perform as they should. When set, the front trigger is extremely light; so much so that our trigger gauge couldn’t pick up for measurement. This rifle has NOT been test fired by us.
Given that these were custom made in the early 20th century it is advised that before shooting, the rifle should be inspected for correct head spacing by a competent gunsmith.
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