I very much doubt that Paul Reuss, Kronprinzenstr.3, Stuttgart, made the rifle himself. It is of the simplified Mauser M71 type, made in Suhl or, more often, Zella Mehlis for the trade. These actions were a staple of the guntrade there, made by many shops in many different sizes, from small garden rifles using pistol sized cartridges through stalking and target rifles like this one up to Vogelbüchsen rifles in 12 bore. Dating the rifle is not easy. If there are proofmarks under the barrel, it was made after 1893. If not, 1875 to 1893. Reuss is documented being active from 1881 to 1901. In 1884 he advertised Smith & Wesson No.3 revolvers converted to use the German 11 mm Reichsrevolver cartridge.
