The Swiss Feldstutzer
Model 1851
With the
Federal Constitution of 1848 the competence for the armament was transferred
from the Kantons to the Federal State. The first task for the defense ministry
was to organize and harmonize the weaponry of the Swiss army.
The first
weapon to be introduced in the federal military system was the Eidgenössischer
Stutzer 1851.
Jules Bonnet from Luzern
posing with M51 Feldstutzer
The
Feldstutzer was the first military rifle in Europe to depart from the large
18mm bullets in favor of the 10,4mm (cal .41) bullet. This also meant that the
soldier could carry almost twice as many rounds with him.
This
percussion rifle was issued to the sharp shooters of all Kantons.
The M51,
like all Stutzers, was equipped with a double set trigger. The action on this
trigger is truly “competition grade”, although the purpose in the mid-1800’s
was rather different. The forward trigger is set at approximately 1000 grams
(~2 pounds) and using the set trigger the hammer will fall with only 200 grams
pressure. Adjustments can be made using the screw between both triggers.
The lockplate on the M51
Stutzer indicates "Beuret
Freres, Liege"
This
particular M51 must have been owned by a Swiss competition shooter. I purchased
the rifle through an auction and found a sticker on the shaft which usually
indicates competition use. In this case the world championship muzzle loading
black powder shooting in Schwabisch Hall 1974.
Stock of M51 with
competition sticker of World Championship
After I
purchased the rifle it appeared that the percussion piston could not be
removed. Probably due to corrosion of the firing of percussion caps.
A stuck percussion
piston can become a major headache
With good
advise from experts, I managed to get the piston removed by means of a small
torch. Heating the nipple for about 2 minutes and then slowly turning it with a
8 mm wrench did the job for me.
The above
mentioned M51 has been passed on to another collector in Belgium.
Since
2005 I am the lucky owner of a very special model of the M51.
This
rifle was custom build in 1866 for a well known person in Geneva, Switzerland:
Rodolphe Delarageaz (1815-1873). A silver plate with his name is visible on the
left side of the rifle. He lived in Preverenges near Lausanne in the canton of
Vaud (www.preverenges.ch). Rodolphe was
a major in the Swiss army, in the infantry corps of the canton of Vaud. He was
the younger brother of Louis-Henri Delarageaz.
The Swiss
Colonel Louis-Henri Delarageaz pictured below was a member of the government of
Vaud.
The rifle
was made by Jean N. Peter, a gunsmith in Geneva. Unlike the regular Feldstutzer
rifles, this rifle has a heavier barrel and it was made of “Acier Fondu”, which
means cast steel. The gunsmith Peter had a shop in Geneva (street of
Corraterie). This shop still exists today at the same place. It was probably
sold to Mr. Mayor at the end of the 19th century (www.ernest-mayor.ch). Jean Peter was the brother-in–law of Rodolphe,
and this explains the link between the owner and the maker of the rifle.
The
Feldstutzer remained in the Delarageaz family until 1956. The above information
was kindly provided to me by family member Louis-Henry Delarageaz, which is
very much appreciated.
As mentioned
above, particular feature of the Stutzer rifles was the double set trigger.
When the rear trigger was pulled the front trigger would have an extremely
light trigger pull. Ideal for sharpshooters in the 19th century and
nowadays, for target shooting.
Specifications
of the M1851:
Length weapon: 1260 mm
(49.6 inches)
Length barrel: 813 mm (32.0 inches)
Weight: 4,5 kg (9.9 pounds)
Caliber 10.4mm (.41)
Barrel with 8 (!) groves right hand twist
Sight adjustable from 200 to 1000 paces
Double set trigger
3 sided bayonet with spring attachment
In total 6400 M51 rifles were made (many rifles were converted
later on to the Milbank-Amsler
system)
Shooting with
the Feld Stutzer rifle