The Stutzen Rifles- Berg, Bolt, Feuer, Ischler and Pirsch

By Larry B. Schuknecht

Editors note: The following information is very basic and I am sure incomplete. It is presented as a primer on the subject and if any reader has additional information or observes any errors please let me know and I will change things accordingly.

By definition a Stutzen is a short rifle or carbine. This catagory of rifles includes several varieties that are differant in both style and construction. Each of these will be elaborated on seperately to the best of my ability. A Stutzen rifle is also often referred to as a Stalking rifle and as a class are of lighter weight.

The Bergstutzens:

These are short, light weight break action over-under rifles (sometimes also seen in a side by side cofiguration) which have two differant calibers, meant for hunting where both small or large game may be encountered. They are a specialty of several Austrian makers and are most popular there where they are used by hunters in the mountains.

A over-under Bergstutzen made by J. Outschar’s Sohn in Ferlach in 1985. It is in 7 x 65R and 5.6 x 50R caliber. Photo courtesy Joh. Springer’s Erben. © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien

This is a hammer side by side Bergstutzen made by Josef Just in Ferlach before 1995. It is in calibers .270 winchester and .222 remington Magnum. Photo courtesy Joh. Springer’s Erben.

Bolt Action

The bolt action Stutzens are a short repeating rifle typically with a full length stock that reaches all the way to the muzzle. The Mannlicher-Schönauer is the most often seen make although Mauser also made a model in this configuration. In America any rifle with a full stock are referred to as a Mannlicher even though they may not be made by Mannlicher-Schönauer.

This is a Mannlicher Schönauer model GK in .30-06. Image is courtesy of Joh. Springer’s Erben © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien

This Bolt Action Pirschstutzen was made by Imman. Meffert and features several interesting features. To see more click **Here**.

Feuer Stutzen

According to Cassell’s new Compact German Dictionary the definition of Feuer is Fire, ardour, passion. The Feuer Stutzens are single shot rifles meant for informal target shooting. They often have target type sights, a finger rest type lever, and are chambered for the 8.15 x 46R cartridge.

Ischler Stutzen

In the mid 19th Century a gunsmith by the name of Wolfgang Leithner of Ischl, Austria developed a large bore muzzle loading percussion stalking rifle. Ischl happened to be the location of Emperor Franz Joseph I favorite hunting lodge. The Emperor was an ardent hunter and embraced the Leithner rifle as his favorite for hunting in the Alps. It was as previously stated a large bore (approximetely .55 to .58 cal.) rifle with a finger rest trigger guard, full length stock, and a short overall length.

A Ischler Stutzen made by Wolfgang Leithner and in the Kunst Historisches Museum in Wien (Vienna)

When the self contained cartridge became successful in the early 1870’s Wolfgang Leithner began building single shot break action rifles along the same lines with the full length stock, an octagon barrel, and lock up with an under lever. Other gun makers soon followed and the Ischler type became standard with either an under lever or top lever, a break action (kipplauf) with an octagon barrel, outside hammer, staghorn forend tip and a shorter overall length.

An Ischler Stutzen made by Jakob Koschat in Ferlach . It is chambered for the 6.5 x 57R cartridge. The image is courtesy of Joh. Springer’s Erben. © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien

This Ischler Stutzen was made by Franz Neuber in Vienna. It is chambered for the 7 x 57R cartridge and features an under lever, octagon barrel, double set triggers, full length stock with the stag horn tip. This image is courtesy of Joh. Springer’s Erben. © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien

PirschStutzen (Birschstutzen)

A Pirschstutzen is simply a Deer stalking rifle. In old texts they are sometimes referred to as Birschstutzen.

A modern Pirschstutzen made by Joh. Outschar’s Sohn in Ferlach prior to 1995. It is in 6.5 x 57R caliber

A listing for the Mauser Birschstutzen from a early 20th Century Ernst Steigleder Catalog.

The following little article was found in the 1907 periodical Schuss und Waffe.

Scheibenstutzen

This is another name for target rifles. Here we illustrate a Percussion muzzle loading target rifle made by Cajetan Mussack around 1850 and is typical of Austrian target arms of that period with the rear facing lock. (See also Johann Peterlongo). The images are courtesy of Joh. Springer’s Erben in Vienna. © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien

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