Make: Carl Stiegele München

Model: Zimmerstutzen Pellet Rifle

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1900s.

Caliber: 4mm Lead Ball

Action Type: Single Shot Breech Loading, Double Set Trigger, Spring Fired Pellet Rifle

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked, “CARL STIEGELE MUNCHEN”. The underside of the barrel is marked, “11 / SYSTEM STIEGELE / 3950”. The front of the diopter is marked, “D.R.G.M. / 936”. There are various small station marks throughout. There is a tag on the barrel marked, “H.S.”

Barrel Length: 7 1/8” Rifled section, 26” Octagon barrel.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade with open protective wings, the barrel is dovetailed for a rear sight. There is a micro-adjustable Schuetzen diopter tang sight with a yellow lens toggle.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The Tyrolian stock is a two piece checkered walnut with a rounded forend, straight wrist with thumb rest, cheekpiece comb, and crescent buttplate. There are two sling loops. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout along with some small chips. There are no cracks. The checkering has lightly worn peaks. The LOP is 12.75” from the front trigger to the buttplate. Overall this stock set rates in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is moderate thinning throughout the case color in wear spots. The rest of the case color is bright. There is light thinning to the barrel and the lever has moderate patina. There are refinished over pitting marks at the stock line. The screw heads are lightly tooled, the pins have some light damage. The markings are sharp. Overall, this air rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This rifle features a double set trigger.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Zimmerstutzen is one of the most elegant and technically fascinating types of target rifles developed in Europe—specifically Germany and Austria—in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These rifles were designed for indoor or gallery shooting with 4mm lead balls propelled by a primer or small charge, offering precision marksmanship training in settings where full-power firearms were impractical. Carl Stiegele of Munich was one of the premier gunsmiths producing competition-grade Zimmerstutzens, and his designs are highly respected among collectors and traditional shooting enthusiasts for their craftsmanship, complexity, and superb mechanical feel. This example features a compact 7 1/8” rifled insert within a 26” octagonal barrel, true to the classic Zimmerstutzen system which allows for maximum sight radius and target alignment. The rifle is fitted with a Schuetzen-style Tyrolean walnut stock, complete with thumb rest, cheekpiece, checkering, and crescent buttplate—hallmarks of formal target shooting design. The included tang-mounted Schuetzen diopter sight with a yellow lens toggle and micro-adjustable elevation complements the rifle’s purpose-built nature. The bore is in superb shape, bright with crisp rifling and no visible erosion, suggesting it was well cared for and rarely fired. The Stiegele action remains tight and crisp, and the presence of a functional double set trigger further elevates its pedigree as a serious competition tool of its era.

For collectors of fine European target rifles or those with an interest in historical shooting sports, this Carl Stiegele Zimmerstutzen is a fine specimen. It captures the artistry and function of German engineering during a time when marksmanship was both a social pastime and a deeply respected skill. Whether displayed for its aesthetic and historical value or restored for continued use in traditional Schuetzen matches or gallery shooting events, this breech-loading pellet rifle offers old-world precision and timeless appeal.