Hessian Jaeger 1770's Style

[Nathan_Hale]

Hello,

With the advent of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, I have taken an interest in Hessian Jaeger Rifles.

I have seen the offerings of parts sets from the Rifle Shoppe (T.W. Pistor & Ansbach - Bayreuth) but have no photographic reference from them to differentiate one from the other - though I am leaning towards the T.W. Pistor since it is widely publicized.

Pecatonica Armory also offers something - at least the trigger guard looks Germanic and not in the early American Colonial pattern that Pedersoli Offers in .52 Cal.

I prefer a .62 Caliber barrel.

Very interested to know what is around this November of 2025. Any ready built in the Hessian form is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[smylee grouch]

If I were to want to build one , I would make sure that they had ALL the parts before ordering.

[smart dog]

Hi,
The 250th anniversary is already happening.  The war started in 1775.  I think I would use the TRS Pistor hardware but Chris Laubach's Germanic lock, and a plank of plain English walnut.  TRS has a set of plans I believe. Sixty two caliber is a good choice.  All of my rifles are 62s, which I prefer because I keep dropping smaller balls when I load.  I have severe nerve damage in my fingers from frost bite so smaller calibers feel like peas and I drop them all the time but a bullet the size of my index finger, that I can handle.

dave

 

[Nathan_Hale]

Thank you for your replies.  Yes, very nice Pennsylvania German Immigrant Jagers abound.

Does anyone have first hand experience with the Rifle Shoppe T.W. Pistor or Ansbach-Bayreuth kits?
Even better, who is selling  Hessian Jaeger rifles sans all the embellishments?

[alacran]

There is a great article by Joshua Shepherd in the Muzzleloader March/April 2017 edition. It deals with the Jaeger corps in the American Revolution.
One salient point regarding your inquiry is that most of the men were " volunteers recruited from the nation's foresters, game keepers, and professional hunters" these were riflemen who frequently brought their personal large caliber rifles to battle. The point being that there was no uniformity of design.
The first contingent of Jaegers was from the Ansbach-Bayreuth region of Bavaria, the second was from Hesse-Cassel. These geographically different regions
would have distinctly different styles of rifles.

[Nathan_Hale]

Yes, I concur with that! Precisely why I was drawn to the Rifle Shoppe's Offerings. I noticed one major difference is the trigger guard, which I never see in the Pennsylvania School Offerings, or the DGW Pedersoli early American Jager Offerings. But Rifle Shoppe does not fully clarify what they offer in a Pistor vs. Ansbach, especially with regards to the stock details. Based on true historical examples, I probably would lean towards the Ansbach stock. But, is that really what Rifle Shoppe offers?

Thank you for the article reference. I found it on the Muzzleloader website and just ordered a copy!

[sbowman]

The Pistor Jaeger is illustrated in Rifles in Colonial America Vol 1 and also in Battle Weapons of the American Revolution if you have access to either.  The only difference in the two military Jaegers you mention is the locks are slightly different and the Ansbach stock has slightly more drop than the Pistor.

As far as the rifle shop parts kits, I have experience building four, 2 Brown Bess and 2 T W Pistor Jaegers.  I can assure you,unless you have building experience, they are not that easy to tackle, especially building the lock from castings.

I still have both Jaegers and would consider selling one if you think you might want to pursue that route. 

Steve

[Nathan_Hale]

Yes thank you Steve,

The books you reference I am grateful to have on hand. Just wish the Rifle Shoppe had illustrations of their Ansbach Bayreuth Rifle kit.

PM sent.