[sharps4590]

You're correct, it is a type of Schuetzen rifle and the action is basically Martini however, in Schuetzen rifles there is several variations on the Martini. I say "type" because I can't see a base for an aperture sight at the wrist. There was several kinds of matches in Germany during those days consequently there was several different rifles developed for each kind of match. That and as with all rifles, they evolved over time.

Of the few proofs shown one is a "crown over R", at least it appears that way in the picture. That is for a repair that required re-proof. The "crown over V" indicates that the rifle was in stock in some store at the time of the implementation of the 1891/1893 proof law. If you pull the forearm there might be more proofs on the bottom of the barrel that will tell more than those shown. Speaking of the forearm, it looks bobbed off. The "crown over U" is merely a visual examination. Given the common appearance of the engraving I would suspect it to be of Zella/Mehlis manufacture rather than Suhl.

The vast majority of Schuetzen rifles were chambered for the 8.15 X 46R cartridge with 9.5 X 47R being popular in the black powder days. However, some were re-chambered to a cartridge that suited a shooter or gunsmith's whims. Mine falls into that category. The only way you're going to know for certain what cartridge it might be chambered for is to cast the chamber and slug the bore. Even then you might not be able to identify it.

Given the brass looking thru-bolt at the wrist I'd guess Bubba has had a hand on yours. I can just about guarantee that was not done in Germany.

Normally double set triggers in Schuetzen rifles were of the 4 lever design...and just about fail proof. Mine, manufactured before WWI, when the trigger group is removed still appear "as new". The rear trigger sets the front then the front trigger is very light, often in ounces. If yours don't operate that way then, as you surmise, something is amiss. I suspect Bubba again.

It's rather a shame the sights are missing. Original sights, if they can be found, or reproduction sights can be had...at a price. Ordinarily cases are easy to make for Schuetzen rifles and load data is extant. They're usually quite accurate as well, if the bore is good. The best group I have ever fired, period, was with my Haenel/Aydt Schuetzen rifle with its exquisite double set triggers and fine rear aperture sight. It shoots a .345 bullet and the group was .337 C to C for 4 shots at 100 yards, benched and bagged. I was too big a coward to fire a 5th shot.

In line with what Bigdog said the front sight dovetail will not be 3/8 and it's a better than average bet it also is not our 60 degrees.

 

[sharps4590]

As it isn't one of the full blown Schuetzen rifles with the dinner plate cheek rest, heavy engraving, carving, sights are missing, assuming the forearm has been bobbed, I believe if someone would give $500 for it they would own it. That's just my opinion based on what I gave for mine which is fairly similar other than it's a Haenel/Aydt action and is complete with sights and an excellent bore. The action type doesn't make but little, if any difference. As with all things old condition does.

 

[sharps4590]

OG is right on all counts. Schuetzen matches were HUGELY popular in Germany from about the mid-1870's up to WWI, came back after that war but by the late 1930's had pretty well run their course...with a lot of help from Corporal Schickelgruber. At the first sort of National Schuetzenfest in Germany there was over 8,000 shooters. In line with what OG said about GI's bringing them back those rifles were probably more fancy than anything most of them had ever seen or even knew existed.

In the US Schuetzen was fairly popular in heavily German populated areas up to the beginning of WWI but died out almost completely with all the anti-German sentiment of the time. There was differences in the way Schuetzen matches were fired in the US as compared to Germany and the rifles made for the matches in this country never achieved the level of adornment they did in Germany.

The "crown over V" mark definitely dates your rifle as made pre-1891/93. Another feature that dates it to that era is the heavy, Tyrolean cheek rest. I believe that by the mid to late 1890's that style of rest had all but disappeared. I have a combination gun with that style of cheek rest and I rather like it. They look weird to us here in the US but it's grown on me over time.