Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this rare pre-WWII German precision target rifle for a penny-start auction, this is an Otto Paatz "Meisterschaftsbüchse" Single-Shot Target Rifle in .22 LR.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Otto Paatz Waffenfabrik - Zella-Mehlis, Germany
Model: "Paatz Meisterschaftsbüchse" (Championship Rifle)
Serial: 5078
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR)
Finish: Factory German Commercial Rust Blued Steel
Barrel Length: 27" Heavy Target-Grade Steel Barrel
Optics/Sights: Ramp-Mounted Front Target Blade w/ Fully Adjustable Micrometer Match Rear Sight and Receiver Scope Base Dovetails
Stock/Grips: European Hardwood Target Stock w/ Hand-Checkered Pistol Grip, Deep Finger-Groove Forend, Sling Swivels, and Steel Buttplate
Action: Single-Shot Bolt-Action Target Rifle w/ Cock-on-Opening Bolt, Single-Stage Match Trigger, and Loading Ramp Tray
Markings: Top barrel shank roll-stamped w/ gothic script '"PAATZ-MEISTERSCHAFTSBÜCHSE"' and serial "5078"; left barrel shank and receiver ring stamped w/ early German commercial Crown "B", Crown "U", and Crown "G" proof marks; bolt body stamped w/ matching Crown "B" and "U" proofs.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Hailing from the legendary gunmaking hub of Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia, Germany, Otto Paatz was a distinguished master gunsmith and manufacturer famed for producing highly refined rimfire match target rifles during the interwar Weimar and pre-WWII era. The model name "Meisterschaftsbüchse"—translating literally to "Championship Rifle"—was bestowed only upon Paatz's top-tier match target long guns engineered specifically for competitive marksmanship and club shooting disciplines across Germany. Built around a massive single-shot action with double or single match trigger mechanisms, these rifles featured extra-long 27-inch precision-rifled heavy barrels, fine micrometer target sights, and hand-fitted target stocks with pronounced finger grooves and checkering. Adhering to strict German proof law, each arm was stamped with iconic Crown "B" (Gefinishte Büchse / finished rifle proof), Crown "U" (Untersuchung / inspection proof), and Crown "G" (Gezogene Läufe / rifled barrel proof) markings, cementing Zella-Mehlis's legacy of world-class accuracy and craftsmanship.
This specific example is a magnificent and scarce pre-WWII Otto Paatz Meisterschaftsbüchse precision single-shot target rifle bearing serial number 5078. Chambered in .22 Long Rifle, it boasts a full 27-inch heavy match barrel, ramp-mounted front target blade, receiver-mounted micrometer rear sight, and a walnut target stock complete with deep finger-groove channels and fine hand checkering at the pistol grip. The dark commercial blue finish exhibits outstanding preservation w/ crisp, deeply struck '"PAATZ-MEISTERSCHAFTSBÜCHSE"' barrel script and razor-sharp German Crown "B", "U", and "G" proofs along the barrel and bolt body. Mechanically, the single-shot bolt action operates with bank-vault lockup, the match trigger breaks with a light, razor-clean let-off, and the long 27-inch barrel bore remains mirror-bright with razor-sharp rifling throughout. This 100% authentic Zella-Mehlis target rifle represents an extraordinary acquisition for collectors of fine German rimfires, pre-war match rifles, and Thuringian master gunsmithing.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: "Paatz Meisterschaftsbüchse" (Championship Rifle)
Serial: 5078
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR)
Finish: Factory German Commercial Rust Blued Steel
Barrel Length: 27" Heavy Target-Grade Steel Barrel
Optics/Sights: Ramp-Mounted Front Target Blade w/ Fully Adjustable Micrometer Match Rear Sight and Receiver Scope Base Dovetails
Stock/Grips: European Hardwood Target Stock w/ Hand-Checkered Pistol Grip, Deep Finger-Groove Forend, Sling Swivels, and Steel Buttplate
Action: Single-Shot Bolt-Action Target Rifle w/ Cock-on-Opening Bolt, Single-Stage Match Trigger, and Loading Ramp Tray
Markings: Top barrel shank roll-stamped w/ gothic script '"PAATZ-MEISTERSCHAFTSBÜCHSE"' and serial "5078"; left barrel shank and receiver ring stamped w/ early German commercial Crown "B", Crown "U", and Crown "G" proof marks; bolt body stamped w/ matching Crown "B" and "U" proofs.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Hailing from the legendary gunmaking hub of Zella-Mehlis in Thuringia, Germany, Otto Paatz was a distinguished master gunsmith and manufacturer famed for producing highly refined rimfire match target rifles during the interwar Weimar and pre-WWII era. The model name "Meisterschaftsbüchse"—translating literally to "Championship Rifle"—was bestowed only upon Paatz's top-tier match target long guns engineered specifically for competitive marksmanship and club shooting disciplines across Germany. Built around a massive single-shot action with double or single match trigger mechanisms, these rifles featured extra-long 27-inch precision-rifled heavy barrels, fine micrometer target sights, and hand-fitted target stocks with pronounced finger grooves and checkering. Adhering to strict German proof law, each arm was stamped with iconic Crown "B" (Gefinishte Büchse / finished rifle proof), Crown "U" (Untersuchung / inspection proof), and Crown "G" (Gezogene Läufe / rifled barrel proof) markings, cementing Zella-Mehlis's legacy of world-class accuracy and craftsmanship.
This specific example is a magnificent and scarce pre-WWII Otto Paatz Meisterschaftsbüchse precision single-shot target rifle bearing serial number 5078. Chambered in .22 Long Rifle, it boasts a full 27-inch heavy match barrel, ramp-mounted front target blade, receiver-mounted micrometer rear sight, and a walnut target stock complete with deep finger-groove channels and fine hand checkering at the pistol grip. The dark commercial blue finish exhibits outstanding preservation w/ crisp, deeply struck '"PAATZ-MEISTERSCHAFTSBÜCHSE"' barrel script and razor-sharp German Crown "B", "U", and "G" proofs along the barrel and bolt body. Mechanically, the single-shot bolt action operates with bank-vault lockup, the match trigger breaks with a light, razor-clean let-off, and the long 27-inch barrel bore remains mirror-bright with razor-sharp rifling throughout. This 100% authentic Zella-Mehlis target rifle represents an extraordinary acquisition for collectors of fine German rimfires, pre-war match rifles, and Thuringian master gunsmithing.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1204511551 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-09-27 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
215 |
