Jaeger rifle no markings

[jsprinkman]

Howdy,

I have another rifle i have been looking into.I'm not sure what to think as when and where it was built.Or if it was modified.it's 58 cal.,29" barrel,43" overall.flared barrel. No marking anywhere.
All i know is it was my dad's favorite rifle to shoot.Yes shoot.I have read many posts discouraging this.He shot them all .he's been gone many years.Not from a gun mishap if that's what you where thinking.Ha.
anyway my mom said she bought it at an antique dealer in the early 50's for 5 bucks.Brought it home on the bus without a case.The good old days.This was in milwaukee,Wi. Lotsof germans there.

You guy's are full of info and any idea's would be appreciated

Thanks

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

There is an organization of German Gun Collectors:

http://www.germanguns.com/

[Hawken62_flint]

Don't know anything about your particular rifle--all I know is that you are one lucky fellow to have it and the fact that your father had it and shot it makes it even more special.  My Dad was interested in fast cars and didn't hanker much towards guns.  Anyway, I love the Jaegers and this is one fine speciman.  One of my good friends had one that had been relined and we shot it.  Sadly he sold it for a small profit and has always regretted it.  Congratulations on owning such a great rifle.

[Jim Kibler]

You have a neat Germanic rifle.  Here are my thoughts...  I think it's maybe 1710 give or take a little.  With this being the case, it would have been originally flint ignition.  Seems the conversion was done very well.  Little evidence of holes etc. are visible.  The decoration is certainly baroque in nature, but has a lot of folk art influence as well.  The flat faced lock combined with the overall style puts it after the turn of the 18th century.  This is about all I would have to say.  With a little research I'll bet you'll be able to pin down the location it was made a little closer.  This really isn't where my interests lie, but if you find the right person, you should be able to obtain a little more detailed and certain information.

[Jim Kibler]

One more note...  If the lock is a replacement it could definetly be 17th century.  From the photos I don't believe this is the case though.  Seems the lock panel fits it's shape quite well and matches the taper of the tail.  I would expect the tail of the lock and panel to be much blunter if it were 17th century.

[Stophel]

That triggerguard is FREAKISH!

From what I can see, looks like late 17th, very early 18th century, and likely as not, North German.   

[Jim Kibler]

With a flat faced lock of this profile I don't see it being late 17th century.  In order to understand and date virtually any 17th and early 18th century European guns it's usually just a matter of looking to the Frech and seeing what they were doing and when.  Their style and fashion dominated Europe and England for that matter.  This lock is basically a take off of the flat faced lock that showed up in Paris around 1700.  Flat faced locks were used in the 17th century but this was during the period where the Thuraine and Le Hollandois style was popular (1650's - 1670's).  These locks were of a much different profile having a blunted tail with a tit on the end.  So I say definetly post 1700 and I'm sticking to it!  Heck it could be 1720 given the fact that it was likely not produced in a trend setting location.  Enough of my blabbing.  Don't imagine anybody much cares about this stuff anyway.

[jeager58]

looking through my books the butt of the rifle looks like its from the Brandenburg area in northern |Germany. two of the biggest cities in this area are Berlin and Stettin. You might also remove the barrel and look at the bottom for a makers mark...phil

[jeager58]

also two big authorities on jaegers are George Amway and Ron Scott.  Ron has a web site with a phone number and you can contact George through Shumway publishing...phil

[jsprinkman]

Thank you all for your comments.I have taken the rifle completely apart and scoured it with a magnifying glass looking for markings.Nothing visible.Jim , i find your blabbing interesting.

I know this gun is not an american rifle,but the knowledge available on this site is outstanding.I know others have other interests ,as i do.This site gives me a start for further research,and sometimes a answer i was looking for.I have another flintlock i'll soon be asking for help on because i'm getting nowhere with other searches.
Maybe someone in the future will see the jaeger and have one like it or more info.

[Acer Saccharum]

My first instinct was that this gun has some Dutch influence, maybe Northern Germany, or NW Germany might be a possibility. I am looking at the stock design and the carving, especially in the grip area of the forestock.

Tom