Eidgenössischer Stutzer 1851 (Breechloader model 1867)

The Eidgenössischer Stutzer 1851
(English: Federal Carbine 1851), also called Feldstutzer 1851, was the first service rifle used by the Swiss armed forces to be procured by the federal government, which was responsible for the armament of the Cantonal armed forces under the 1848 federal constitution. It was also the first military weapon in Europe to use the smaller 10.5 mm caliber (later reduced to 10.4 mm) instead of the prior de facto standard of 18 mm.

The Stutzer was refitted with a Milbank Amsler breechloading system (à tabatière) in 1867. It was replaced by the Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1869/70 in 1869.

Variants
- M1867 breechloader refit

Used by
- Swiss Army

Operating the Swiss 1851 Feldstutzer muzzleloader

Weapontype:
Service rifle

Manufacturer:
Beuret Frères à Liège and private manufacturers

Operation:
Caplock

Chambers:
10.5 mm

Weight:
4500 gr (158,7 oz)

Length:
1260 mm (49,6")

Barrel:
813 mm (32")

Magazine Capacity:
Nil - 1 shoot only

Feed system:
Muzzleloader

In service dates:
1851 – c. 1863

Sights:
Iron sights