I saw this on the web, and wanted to share

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It was obviously lined to 219 Zipper, which at least preserved the fantastic exterior of the barrel.

My guess is that it may have originally been chambered in 8.15x46r, which would have allowed the conversion to 219 with very few mechanical changes. But that’s just a guess.

But you are right marlinguy, it’s value was affected, significantly in my estimation.

oneatatime wrote on May 27^th, 2026 at 4:29pm:


It sure matters as to value, firing or not. Just like a repair on a Rembrandt would affect value.

Fine, reline back to 8.15x46R and say that it was done by Pope. Now it's worth more.

This rifle was probably made in the late 1880s and chambered for one of the gross-kaliber cartridges, such as the 9.5x47 R. Once the 8.15x46R came out, it was very common to have the barrel relined to that caliber. It would not be a huge job to reline it back to 8.15, if it is indeed a .219 as the head size is almost the same. You would not need to replace the extractor. Value? Depends on the day, it seems. While this is a very nice Stiegle, it is not one of the really super ones. Excellent carving, but the engraving is not as fancy as some. I would guess it to be $8000- and maybe as high as $12,000. One of the super ones recently sold for over $40,000, which I saw, but couldn't quite believe.

waterman wrote on May 30^th, 2026 at 3:09pm:


I watch the Antiques Road Show all the time, and you might be surprised just how often they get someone bringing in an old gun to be appraised. I always hope to see those, so when it happens I like guessing and then seeing what the appraiser says.

I was watching the show when this episode aired, at the time I thought the valuation was too high. The carving is very good, the engraving is hohum (I’ve been spoiled by the photos in Alte Scheibenwaffen). I am sure Tom is far more knowledgeable than I, so no argument about value, but to me, any alteration reduces the value, if it was mine I certainly would have it re- lined to 8.15x46r. I do have a question, what is that rib under the barrel?
Mike

A shooter may have wanted additional weight in the barrel. Some of the barrels were fluted making them lighter. A heavier barrel will put more pressure on the bottom hook of the buttplate, making it "hang" better.

My Stiegele martini rifle has a fluted barrel, but no rib on the bottom.

This rifle, and an article on the maker Carl Stiegele was in the Single Shot Rifle Journal, November-December, 2025.


"For every rifle you buy, buy two to three gun books"
  ~ John Gillette