[themosinator]

Recently received this pretty li'l Swiss 96/11 long rifle from another GunBoards member...she's a real beauty, with all matching SN's!!...


...I took some preliminary photos, but I have a few more still to take (close-ups of some cool features PLUS photos of all of the accessories I have collected for my Swiss milsurps!!...


Please enjoy the photos!!!...comments, critiques, etc., welcome as always!!!...

 

[themosinator]

Here's some more pics!!!

 

[themosinator]

...some preliminary close-ups!!...MORE TO COME!!!...

 

[Richard in NY*]

Very nice! :thumbsup:

 

[Buckstopper]

A beautiful, classy, old rifle.

 

[themosinator]

...I am wondering how many of you Swiss collectors have actually SHOT your Swiss milsurps....now, I am not just talking about the tackdriving k31...I am talking about ALL of the other Swiss milsurps...

...how do they shoot??...

...this particular 96/11 has a bore that is possibly "leaded" according to its prior owner?...I am new to this concept...what is a "leaded bore"?? (NOT from an internet source...what is YOUR background with what this means?)...

...I have looked down the bore, it is clean, almost mirror-like, no frosting, no pitting, very clean for being 100+ years old...but, is there something I am missing?...

...a little help for a newbie to the world of Swiss milsurps??...

Thanks!!!

 

[ProGun1]

Beautiful stock. I'll have to look out for a 96/11 as well. I assume "leaded" would mean that the rifling grooves have lead in the valleys from shooting. Spending some time cleaning the bore will help of course.

 

[benogi]

They shoot like a Swiss laser. Very mild recoil. Unless the person was referring to erosion in the leade, I am not familiar with that term. Beautiful rifle, by the way. Come on over to the Swissrifles forum if you ever get the chance, lots of great folks with much to share there, as well as here. If you are concerned with leade erosion, making a cerrakote cast will let you know if that has happened.

 

[Ronbo6]

I have had a model 11 since the late 1960's/early1970's and have shot it a lot. NO problems in the accuracy department, except for the 300 yard minimum setting on the rear sight and the resulting need to hold off at shorter ranges.

In fact, I picked up my first K31 only about a month ago.

Did the previous owner make a practice of shooting cast bullets? If so, the bore could have significant lead (Pb) in it. Unless the lead is cleaned out, it will not do too well with copper jacketed bullets.


In the old days, you could use a Mercury soak to get the lead out of the bore, but nowadays, that drives people to have conniption fits. I am sure you will be able to find some concoction out there that will get rid of the lead, instead.

 

[kyswede]

I shoot my 96/11 more than my K31s. Previous owner cut the stock down, but otherwise all original.

 

[wrench]

Beautiful wood on that one, great rifle!
I have a few long Swiss that I shoot regularly. Accurate, pleasant to shoot rifles with cast bullets. They turn heads at the range, I think because they reach halfway to the targets
A leaded bore has fouling from lead bullets. It usually looks like dull gray patches in the bore. I take a copper bore brush, and wrap a few strands unraveled from a copper 'chore boy' type of cleaning pad around it. A few passes cleans the bore, and you are ready to go. No hassle.

 

[themosinator]

Beautiful wood on that one, great rifle!
I have a few long Swiss that I shoot regularly. Accurate, pleasant to shoot rifles with cast bullets. They turn heads at the range, I think because they reach halfway to the targets
A leaded bore has fouling from lead bullets. It usually looks like dull gray patches in the bore. I take a copper bore brush, and wrap a few strands unraveled from a copper 'chore boy' type of cleaning pad around it. A few passes cleans the bore, and you are ready to go. No hassle.

Thanks for the information!!!...I will give it a try!!...

...thanks to ALL for their help and comments!!!...as always, your help is appreciated!!!!...

...I will take some more close-up photos today...and, will also take some with my Swiss accessories as well!!!...

 

[themosinator]

My 96/11's SNs are 273,358 (original Model 1889/1896 was from 1901) with 1898 dated sling...I paired it with a slightly older Model 1899 bayonet SN 225,142 (1898)

The stock has a stamp from 'Valais'...is that the canton where the stock was produced??...also, I noticed it has an SN of 125,280...does that mean it was from a Model 1889 from 1893???...(any help on these questions would be great!!)

I am going to add some pics of both my Swiss firearms, their bayonets, and various other accessories in the next post...



Here's my post about my k31:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...look-for-What-to-avoid&highlight=themosinator

It's SNs are 631,211 (1940) with matching sling...I paired it with a much newer Model 1918 bayonet SN 935,481 (1949)

 

[themosinator]

Here are some more photos!!

 

[Parashooter]

The stock has a stamp from 'Valais'...is that the canton where the stock was produced??...also, I noticed it has an SN of 125,280...does that mean it was from a Model 1889 from 1893???...

Valais is a canton that felt sufficient proprietorship over the rifle that they stamped the name on it and also added a cantonal inventory number, 125280. This has nothing to do with the rifle's serial, one example of which you should find in the barrel channel if you disassemble.

An 1889 stock can't be fitted to the 1896 receiver without a bunch of stretching. It has a significantly shorter butt.

 

[themosinator]

Valais is a canton that felt sufficient proprietorship over the rifle that they stamped the name on it and also added a cantonal inventory number, 125280. This has nothing to do with the rifle's serial, one example of which you should find in the barrel channel if you disassemble.

An 1889 stock can't be fitted to the 1896 receiver without a bunch of stretching. It has a significantly shorter butt.

Thanks very much!!...this was EXACTLY the answer I was looking for!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Ronbo6]

Valais is a canton that felt sufficient proprietorship over the rifle that they stamped the name on it and also added a cantonal inventory number, 125280. This has nothing to do with the rifle's serial, one example of which you should find in the barrel channel if you disassemble.

An 1889 stock can't be fitted to the 1896 receiver without a bunch of stretching. It has a significantly shorter butt.

Also, the receiver will not fit. As you can see in the picture, the 1889's receiver is roughly an inch longer. Has to do with the all-the-way-in-the-back locking lugs.

 

[themosinator]

Thanks again for all of the helpful comments!!! :thumbsup:

...so, what do you folks think about my collection of Swiss accessories (so far)??...

 

[wrench]

mosinator, the way you accessorize, I'd think you were female! :laugh:
Seriously, I really like the pics with the rifles and accessories, helps bring the rifle to life.

 

[themosinator]

mosinator, the way you accessorize, I'd think you were female! :laugh:
Seriously, I really like the pics with the rifles and accessories, helps bring the rifle to life.

HAHAHAAAA!!!...that's pretty funny!!...


...Well, being as my Mother was the primary care-giver during my up-bringing, I guess that shouldn't come as much of a surprise!!...

...But, to me, the firearms tell a more complete story when they have the era-appropriate accessories to accompany them!!!...