Newest acquisition from Switzerland (1896/11 Schmidt Rubin)

It was an impulse buy really. I don't need yet another gun, don't have enough room for the ones I have but it intrigued me as I read about it and did some research. Plus I hadn't really heard of them beforehand but I do fully enjoy my K31 so I figured "Why not?"

It arrived today from Classic arms and the first thing I wasn't prepared for was how big it is. It's bigger then my Mosin 91/30 and my Savage 110BA which are the two biggest guns in my collection but it is a very pretty rifle.

Numbers are all matching, I think. Magazine, bolt, barrel match, numbers stamped inside the stock match the exterior but there is a series of numbers on the rear of the stock that don't match the serial, then a set of numbers on the underside of the barrel that's hidden in the stock which are different then those. Then there's a big P.37 over the serial number that I can't figure out.

All in all the bore is in great shape (was worried when I looked down at first, but seems there was a layer of grease which produced a blinding bore once it was cleaned out) and the stock held up well, one pretty big ding in it but nothing that worries me too much. Bolt knob has no cracks what'so'ever that I can see which is another thing I was worried about after seeing pictures of them online.

The trigger is amazing on it as well. I'm honestly shocked at how light the trigger pull and release is on this gun. I actually ended up doing a bit of research on the off chance that might have been a little TOO light, but seems i'm in the normal tolerances.

Sadly she was nameless on arrival, no tag under the butt plate but I'm more then happy with it. I've got some GP11 leftover from the K31 but now I have a feeling I'm gonna need more.

Over View shot


Reciever view


Number on rear of stock that doesn't match, not sure what it means


P.37 that I'm not sure it means. I read P meant given to someone retired but not sure if this applies


Under barrel numbers


Brass sleeve, I thought it was a interesting addition

Ah that makes sense. I just didn't expect it to be done so properly and to have the year after it as well

Thanks, I was pleasantly surprised at the condition as well. Can't wait to see how she shoots. Snowing today and not ready to tempt fate after the mild frostbite I got on my last range session so didn't make it out to the range, hopefully next weekend though

Anyone have a list for production years? I've been trying to track it down since I got it but have yet to find a link to a web page that's still in service.

Small update, she's all cleaned up (metal wise) after having been stripped down, was going to take her out today, got everything loaded up but the County range I go to was closed due to Easter So hopefully next weekend I'll run her through her paces.

Gave the Swiss method of cleaning a try so we'll see how that works out. Just need someones advice on the best way to fix up the sling. Original sling, leathers not dry rotting or cracking, but it's very, very dry and feels a bit like sandpaper.

I used to use stuff that came with my motorcycle saddlebags for leather but ran out of that so been researching a bit and seems to be a debate between Neatsfoot oil and stuff from a company called Pecard Chemical. Or if anyone knows a method with Beeswax that would be appreciated. Got 75 pounds of the stuff and getting tired of kicking the box around lol

TheVision said:

You can find the manufacture dates here. The 1896/11 used the serial number of the host rifle.

I use Turner leather dressing on the slings, which is made by Pecard.

Click to expand...

Ahh that's probably why I could never find it, never thought to check the original rifle numbers instead. ugh, thanks