These longarms are synonymous with Switzerland, renowned for fine quality in production and accuracy. The family is unique with a straight-pull action and ring cocking piece. The government factory, Eidgenossische Waffen-Fabrik Bern which commenced in 1875, saw over one million Schmidt-Rubin rifles made, commencing with the Model 1889. Its distinctive logo consists of a cross in relief, within a shield or starburst. Such markings are found on the Swiss rifles website at their www.swissrifles.com/proofs page.
The Model 1889 was the first of the Schmidt-Rubin series, adopted in that same year. The bolt and action body are quite long and the body has an obvious, wide gap between the trigger guard and the magazine. The magazine has a 12-round capacity and the rifling is 3-groove concentric.
The Model 1889/96 was an update to remedy the problems associated higher pressure ammunition. While the external appearance may be the same, the action body was altered with locking lugs moved more towards the front. The 1889/96 models were converted to become the Model 1896/11, in the 1920s.
The Model 1897 Cadet Rifle is a single shot trainer without a magazine. Its sight graduations are marked to 400m on the right side and 1200m on the left, for use with reduced cadet cartridge loads (graduated on the right side) as well as the regulation loads (on the left side). This rifle is shorter overall and was used with the special cadet cartridge.
The Model 1889/1900 Short Rifle is the same length as the Cadet model at 43.5 inches and it is of a similar configuration except for the 1200 metre rear sight graduations and a 6-round detachable box magazine.
The Model 1905 Cavalry Carbine was introduced a few years later. This retains the 6-round detachable magazine but has a smaller rear sight with 200m notch and quadrant adjustable 1500m leaf. There is a sling slot in the butt-stock; it was only produced until 1911.
The Model 1896/11 Rifle was undated for the new, higher velocity cartridge, the 7.5x55mm. It dispensed with the magazine cut-off for its 6-rd. magazine and has a new 2,000 metre backsight. Four groove rifling was introduced with the M1911.
The Model 1911 Rifle was adopted in 1913, it was set up for the new, higher velocity cartridge. The tangent rear sight is graduated to 2,000 metres. Other features were updated too and it fixes the Model 1899 sword bayonet. This rifle was manufactured at the government Bern arsenal until 1919.
The Model 1911 Carbine was known as the ‘K11’, essentially a shortened Model 1911 rifle with foresight protectors and smaller back sight graduated to 1500 metres. Production at Bern continued until 1933, later than its rifle counterpart.
The Model 1931 Carbine, also known as the ‘K31’, has a slightly longer barrel than the earlier Mod 1911 Carbine, at 25.6-ins. But its overall length is similar to the K11 because of a shorter action body. This was effected by changes in a stronger receiver, a shorter bolt with locking lugs at the bolt face and magazine well closer to the trigger guard. The fore-end grooves moved closer to the rear. The K31 is renowned for its accuracy, handiness and convenient sighting radius. Production commenced in 1933 and continued until 1958. Later Schmidt-Rubin models have optical sights. The first was the ZfK31/42 with an offset periscope-style telescope fitted to the left of the receiver which was modified slightly. A 1.8x power Kern telescope was fitted with a 700m iron sight mounted on top of the ‘scope tube. The regular 1500 metre leaf rear sight remains on the barrel.
The ZfK31/43 is similar but fitted with an improved 2.8x power telescope. Both /42 and /43 models have a unique arrangement whereby the scope objective lens can be rotated out of the way when not in use. Production of both models was short-lived as the magnification and field of view was not entirely satisfactory for sniping.
The 7.5mm Swiss ZfK55 was purpose built with a more traditional telescope mount, a 3.5x power Kern model graduated to 800m, again fitted onto the left side of the action. Although the ZfK55 looks similar to the regular Model 1931, it is longer at 43.7 ins., has a heavy profile barrel and large flash eliminator/muzzle brake. About the only parts interchangeable with the original K31 are the firing pin and spring, cocking piece and extractor. Its tangent leaf back sight is graduated to 1500 metres like the regular K31 model and the magazine takes 6-rounds. The trigger guard screws have smaller locking screw inserts.
A plunger type release catch at the back of the upper mount serves to retain and release the telescopic sight unit. The wooden stock has a shortened fore-end and hand-guard; a pistol grip is fitted along with a folding bipod. The heavier barrel and other fittings result in a weight increase of nearly 5 lb. The ZfK55 was produced from 1957 until 1959.
Renowned for their fine shooting, Schmidt-Rubin rifles will be noted to have particular bedding at the front of the fore-wood. This may be a compound which adheres to the fore-end and hand-guard as on K-31 rifles, or an alloy collar found on the M1911. Care should be taken in stripping that this is not interfered with as it can cause a fall in accuracy.
Accessories: Bayonet, scabbard, muzzle cover, charger clip, sling, oiler, cleaning kit.
Illustrations courtesy of Australian Collector Arms & Ian Skennerton
References:
- Handbook – ‘Schmidt-Rubin Rifles & Carbines’ A&M Press 2010
- ‘Military Small Arms of the 20th Century’ (Hogg & Weeks) 2000
- ‘Small Arms of the World’ 12th Ed. Smith, Revised Ezell. Stackpole 1983
- ‘Textbook of Small Arms - 1929’ HMSO 1929
- www.swissrifles.com
© Ian Skennerton 2010
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