K31 indentification of unique marks

D

Dicerous

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello there,

Hoping some folks can help me learn more about my rifle. It has some interesting markings that I cannot seem to find any information on.

All matching serial number P.408023

It came with a braided leather sling and most interestingly appears to have a little medallion depicting the Swiss guard on the underside of the butt stock.

Is this a gem I should keep in the safe, or something that I should be shooting! Been scouring the internet and various forums, but have yet to find another example of what I have.

Appreciate the time, thanks
 

Attachments

  • 70950199082__FEB415BE-DB56-414F-9A38-F7DBAF48CECD copy.jpg
    70950199082__FEB415BE-DB56-414F-9A38-F7DBAF48CECD copy.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 178
  • IMG_6757.jpg
    IMG_6757.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 180
Last edited:
P serial prefix indicates a “Private” series rifle. It should also appear ahead of the stamped number on the bolt and magazine. These were produced with their own serial number range for commercial sale directly to ordinary Swiss citizens. The other P you find on Swiss guns is usually stamped on the receiver/frame away from the serial number and has a two digit number beside it so “P 52” for example. This is the “privatization date” where the gun was withdrawn from service and released to citizens leaving military service.

The brass stock inlay is certainly a personalization of the rifle as it being a “private series” is a guarantee it never saw military or police use. Private series could be considered uncommon rather than rare. Personally I’d shoot it without hesitation. The braided leather slings were (and are) popular sporting slings in Switzerland having been used for a few hundred years.
 
Thank you for the info! Looks like it feel into that 1950s private run of 50 rifles.

The emblem was always of interest to me. I had wondered if there was any association with the Swiss Guard, but afaik they have never released rifles to the public from inventory. Maybe a private gun to celebrate someones service as a Swiss Guard? Who knows.
 
Any suggestions of companies or orgs to reach out to for more information?

I am curious if other rifles from that run of 50 are similar, of if this was a one off.
 
Dicerous said:
Any suggestions of companies or orgs to reach out to for more information?

I am curious if other rifles from that run of 50 are similar, of if this was a one off.
Click to expand...

Swiss rifles dot com is the place to go. Lots of friendly knowledgable people there. The Swiss Guard connection is a stretch, the placement of that escutcheon seems logical for identification purposes when the rifle is in a rack with many others (like when you’re having a beer after shooting your obligatorisches schiessen). Often you’ll see binding marks on fore stocks from coloured string or stickers on butt stocks that perform the same function. Swiss shooting orgs and sometimes the government would offer prize rifles which typically have an inlet escutcheon as well however these appear on the side of the butt and will have the competition name and year at least. You have a nice rifle there, enjoy it!
 
BlackPowderBurner said:
Swiss rifles dot com is the place to go. Lots of friendly knowledgable people there. The Swiss Guard connection is a stretch, the placement of that escutcheon seems logical for identification purposes when the rifle is in a rack with many others (like when you’re having a beer after shooting your obligatorisches schiessen). Often you’ll see binding marks on fore stocks from coloured string or stickers on butt stocks that perform the same function. Swiss shooting orgs and sometimes the government would offer prize rifles which typically have an inlet escutcheon as well however these appear on the side of the butt and will have the competition name and year at least. You have a nice rifle there, enjoy it!
Click to expand...

That you for that. I am on their message board as well, but so far no info.

You make a great point for identification while on the rack. I have no way to prove any Swiss Guard connection, but it seems odd to take the look as a regular joe? Kinda like if I slapped the local fire hall crest on my rifle. But its just conjecture!

I did reach out to Edelweiss Arms to ask if they had seen anything similar come through their inventory. They gave me a great response, but were unable to verify anything outside of what we know. Part of the issue was they only come across a small number of private collection rifles (gentleman said 10 in the last two years).

While I do enjoy the rifle, with everything going on right now I would consider selling if the uniqueness would add to that. It is always a tough call to let one go, but the BoC needs to slow down on those rate increases!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom