I have an uncle that came back from war a completely damaged person. His wife resents anything that has to with war and if he got a call from saying I have your husband's rifle ... well let's say she'll be less than cordial. Now given that the Swiss didn't enter any major conflicts with their K31s, I suppose that's an unlikely scenario, however, a rifle is not a wrench.
Swiss buttplate troop tags, tracking down family
- Thread starter whiteinterceptor
- Start date
I have an uncle that came back from war a completely damaged person. His wife resents anything that has to with war and if he got a call from saying I have your husband's rifle ... well let's say she'll be less than cordial. Now given that the Swiss didn't enter any major conflicts with their K31s, I suppose that's an unlikely scenario, however, a rifle is not a wrench.
Since the Swiss haven't been involved in hostilities since 1815, I suspect the citizens regard their compulsory military service as just another duty to the state, they have to endure. Looking at your Schmidt Rubin , you know it's never fired a shot in anger.
Grizz
Man there's a few negative Nancy's here haha. I think if someone sent me a letter with a nostalgic item I'd think it was pretty cool, and even if I didn't? I just wouldn't reply...pretty simple.
I wouldn't accuse someone of stalking me for sending me a letter asking politely for some information, the tinfoil hat must be getting tight this evening.
I wouldn't accuse someone of stalking me for sending me a letter asking politely for some information, the tinfoil hat must be getting tight this evening.
whiteinterceptor
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oshawa, Ontario
forget the tinfoil hat, sorry for giving some tinfoil underwear wedgies to some, I started this because the history behind these and all old rifles interests me and was sure some others thought the same
Had a Swiss guy come into the gun shop I was running in Wainwright. He wanted to go deer-hunting and was looking for a rifle.
We had over 100 rifles in stock at the time. None were the right kind.
Trouble is that he was most adamant: he wanted a StG-57!
He thought that the full-auto feature would be good if the deer was running away.
He was absolutely amazed that "Free Canadians" are not allowed to hunt with full-autos!
We had over 100 rifles in stock at the time. None were the right kind.
Trouble is that he was most adamant: he wanted a StG-57!
He thought that the full-auto feature would be good if the deer was running away.
He was absolutely amazed that "Free Canadians" are not allowed to hunt with full-autos!
Agreed! I say go for it, just for the fun of it. Isn't that after all what this is all about? As a matter of fact I just sent off a letter today and hopefully get a reply from the former owner of one of my K31's.
Mine was made in 1948, same year I was born, Very much doubt the original user is still above ground.
Grizz
Winchester30-30
Regular
- Location
- Fraserwood, MB
I love my 1889, its probably one of my fav rifles! If i got a call from someone saying this rifle was your grandfathers in the war, theres no amount i wouldnt spend on it! That being said... i know a guy who was in the navy as a sniper, he wont look nor talk about guns, Thats what i dont get, you enlisted, you trained as a sniper... youd have to be ready to kill... any ways, i dont think any of my rifles are marked with names or anything, kinda wish one was...
Sir - the Model 1889, like most every other Swiss long arm, has never been to any kind of war. The exception to this is the much-later K31, a number of which ended up in Israel during the War of Independence.
I assume that if you are shooting it, that you are handloading as they were NOT made to shoot GP11 ammunition.
Add to that that I've never seen anything older than a K11 with a butt-tag.
tac
www.swissrifles.com
I assume that if you are shooting it, that you are handloading as they were NOT made to shoot GP11 ammunition.
Add to that that I've never seen anything older than a K11 with a butt-tag.
tac
www.swissrifles.com
Try these, from www.swissrifles.com, courtesy of numerous members of swissrifles.com, and if, for some reason, anybody needs a letter in Irish or Welsh, mrs tac and I can help you out [!]
Dear Mr. (Name),
My name is (fill in name) and I live in the USA. In my collection is a carbine 31 with the serial number ( # serial).
I am writing you in the hope to find the Swiss soldier that was issued with this K31.
From the information I took from the tag that I found under the butt plate it appears to me that you may be the man that I am looking for.
Enclosed are pictures from the rifle, the tag and from myself.
As I do not know if you do speak English I had this letter translated for me in German.
I hope you to be the man I am looking for and maybe you can tell me a bit about yourself and the history of the rifle.
I do want to tell you that the rifle is very well cared for and it is in excellent condition compared to the others that I have seen as well as those that are part of my collection now.
Awaiting your much appreciated reply,
Best regards
(your name)
This is the German translation by he Swiss member Dragunov.
Sehr geehrter Herr (Name),
Mein Name ist (name) und ich lebe in den USA/Canada. In meiner Sammlung befindet sich ein Karabiner K31 mit der Nummer (serial # rifle).
Ich schreibe Ihnen nun in der Hoffnung jenen Schweizer Soldaten zu finden, welchem seinerzeit dieser K31 zugeteilt wurde. Von den Informationen auf dem Etikett unter der Kolbenplatte scheint es, dass Sie der Mann sein könnten, den ich suche. In der Beilage sende ich Ihnen Photos des Gewehrs, der Etikette und von mir selbst.
Da ich nicht weiss, ob Sie Englisch verstehen, habe ich diesen Brief ins Deutsche übersetzen lassen.
Ich gebe der Hoffnung Ausdruck, dass Sie der Mann sind, den ich suche und dass Sie mir etwas ber sich selbst und die Geschichte des Gewehres erzählen können.
Ich kann Ihnen sagen, dass das Gewehr sehr gepflegt und in ausgezeichnetem Zustand ist verglichen mit anderen, die ich gesehen habe oder die sich in meiner Sammlung befinden.
In Erwartung Ihrer geschätzten Antwort verbleibe ich
mit freundlichen Grüssen
(Your name)
Now if you don't want to send any pics just leave the "In der Beilage..........mir selbst" sentence out.
A French one by Czechmauseritis.
Dear Mr. _________,
Cher Monsieur ________,
Recently, I purchased a surplus Swiss K31 rifle, serial number #__________. I was instructed to look under the buttplate and I found a tag that contained your name, which I understand is evidence that you or someone with your name once was issued this rifle. I wanted to write you a brief note and see if you are the person this rifle was issued, possibly in the 1940s or 1950s. I am enclosing pictures of the rifle as well as the tag I found under the buttplate. Please keep them.
a fait pas longtemps, que jachetais un fusil/mousqueton Suisse modle K31 numro _________. Selon des suggestions des personnes qui connait lhistoire du mousqueton K31, je cherchait par-dessous le plaque du crosse et je trouvais une carte avec votre nom, que selon mes connaissances peut indiquer que vous ou autre personne avec votre nom etais donn ce mousqeton dans son service militaire. Je voulais vous ecrire un bref lettre pour savoir si vous etre le recrue qui ce mousqueton etais donn, peut etre dans les annes de 1940 1959. Jai inclus pour vous, avec cette lettre, quelques-unes photos de le mousqueton, mme la carte que je trouvais par-dessous le plaque du crosse.
I wanted to write and ask if you might be the person whose name is on the tag contained in the rifle. I have no desire to disturb you but I wondered if you were the gentleman, if you have any remembrance of the rifle or your service at the time the rifle might have been issued. I am always interested in the personal side of history and having any commentary you provide on your use of the rifle or your service would help me understand the history of this excellent rifle.
Je voulais vous ecrire pour savoir certainment que vous etes la personne dont nom est dan la carte du mousqueton. Pardonnez-moi la nuisance, mais si vous etes ce monsieur, pour moi sera tres merveilleux savoir votres souvenirs de ce mousqueton, puis votre service militaire. Je suis toujours intress dans les aspects personnel de la histoire, et votres souvenirs du mousqueton et de votre service me aidera beaucoup comprendre le histoire de ce excellent mousqueton.
If you are not the person that is on this tag, please accept my apologies for contacting you by mistake. If a relative you know was the person, I would appreciate you passing this letter and pictures along to them if they are still living.
Si vous ne etre pas la personne qui corresponde a ce mousqueton, pardonez-moi pour vous deranger. Si la personne mentionn etre une famille, je vous remerciera pour faire passer cette lettre, puis le photos, si il nest pas deced.
Thank you for your assistance.
Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
Sincerely,
Mes cordiales salutations a vous,
And another one by Mq 31
Cher Monsieur...(NAME)
J'ai achet, rcemment, le mousqueton 31, numro...(SERIALNR.)
Suivant des conseils, j'ai dviss la plaque de couche pour trouver l'tiquette d'identification portant votre nom ou celui d'une personne homonyme ayant eu ce mousqueton en dotation.
Je souhaitais vous crire ce sujet pour savoir s'il s'agissait bien de votre mousqueton. Je vous joins une photo de celui-ci ainsi que de la plaque d'identification.
Il ne s'agit pas , pour moi, de vous importuner, mais, si ce mousqueton est effectivement celui avec lequel vous avez fait votre arme, je serai trs intress de connaitre vos souvenirs au sujet de cette arme et les anectodes le concernant ainsi que celles relatives votre priode d'arme avec lui.
Cela m'aidera complter mes connaissances au sujet de cette arme excellente.
Veuillez accepter mes excuses de vous avoir sollicit par erreur, si vous n'tes pas la personne dont le nom est port sur la plaque d'identification. Si, par hasard, vous la connaissez ou l'un de ses proches, oserai-je vous demander de lui transmettre ce courrier.
En vous remerciant de votre attention et de votre aide, je vous adresse mes salutations distingues.
(YOUR NAME)
End of the translation.
Don't forget to add a picture of yourself, the rifle and the tag with this one.
Didier
A Italian one by Chas57 ;
Dear Mr. (Name),
My name is (fill in name) and I live in the USA/Canada. In my collection is a carbine 31 with the serial number ( # serial).
I am writing you in the hope to find the Swiss soldier that was issued with this K31.
From the information I took from the tag that I found under the butt plate it appears to me that you may be the man that I am looking for.
Enclosed are pictures from the rifle, the tag and from myself.
As I do not know if you do speak English I had this letter translated for me in Italian.
I hope you to be the man I am looking for and maybe you can tell me a bit about yourself and the history of the rifle.
Awaiting your reply,
Best regards
Caro Sig. (Name),
Mi chiama(fill in name) ed abito negli Stati Uniti/Canada. Nella mia collezione una carabina 31 col numero di serie (# serial). Scrivo nella speranza di trovare il soldato svizzero a chi era stato distribuito questo K31. Dalle informazioni al cartellino che io fondai sotto il calciolo mi sembra che Lei sarebbe l' uomo chi cerco.
Incluso sono le foto dal fucile,dal cartellino e da me.
Perch io non so se Lei parla inglese ho tradotto questa scrittura per me in italiano.
Io spero che Lei l'uomo chi cerco e forse Lei pu dirmi un po' su se stesso e la storia del fucile.
Aspettando di Sua risposta,
Your signature
Winchester30-30
Regular
- Location
- Fraserwood, MB
Yes i do shoot it, handloads only! its a great shooter! decent deal on it too!
