Swiss Service rifles (From black powder to smokeless powder) - Collections & Accesories

[Jeepix]

Note: The data is subject to change based on my research on each of these firearms.​

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern)
Infanteriegewehre Modell 1896/11
SN# 308301
1904
7,5x55mm (GP11)
6 Rd. Double stack Box magazine (Removable)
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

Conversion of 1896-type rifles to approximate to the 1911 pattern began in the Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik. By March 1, 1920, 135,770 rifles had been altered between 1912 to 1920.

 

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Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern)
Karabiner Modell 1911 (K11)
SN# 160375
1928
7,5x55mm (GP11)
6 Rd. Double stack Box magazine (Removable)
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

Manufactured 1914-1933 (Total Production: 184,200 rifles)

Manufacture ended on July 11, 1933.

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern)
Karabiner Modell 1931 (K31)
SN# 800993
1944
7,5x55mm (GP11)
6 Rd. Double stack Box magazine (Removable)
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

Manufactured 1933-1958 (Total Production: 582,230 rifles)

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern)
Infanteriegewehre Modell 1911 (G11)
SN# 440904
1917
7,5x55mm (GP11)
6 Rd. Double stack Box magazine (Removable)
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

Total Production: 133,000 rifles (Manufacture ended on October 1, 1919)

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern)
Repetiergewehre Modell 1889
SN# 113806
1892
7,5x53.5mm (GP90) – Semi-smokeless powder
7,5x53.5mm (GP90/03) – Non-mercuric primers & square-flake smokeless powder
12 Rd. Double stack Box magazine (non-removable, just for cleaning)
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

Total Production : ~212,000 rifles (Between 1891 and 1897).

 

[Jeepix]

Rychner & Keller (Henry Rychner) - (In Aarau)
Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1869/71
SN# 11797
10,4x38mmR Rimfire (.41 Cal. Swiss) – Black Powder (Scharfe Gewher Patron 67)
11 rd. tubular magazine + 1 in the cartridge elevator + 1 in the chamber.
Designed by Friedrich Vetterli.

1871-1873 Rychner & Keller (Henry Rychner), In Aarau (Total 9700 rifles).

In 1871 the Model 1869 was updated with an improved elevator system and simplified receiver. The loading gate was omitted as was the magazine cut-off, which had previously appeared on the left side of the receiver. Swiss made (designed by Friedrich Vetterli) model 1869/71 bolt action rifle with 11-round tubular magazine using 10,4 mm x 38 rimfire ammunition. While this rifle has rather large-capacity magazine it is a tubular one. At the same time ammunition, it used with it was distinctly old-fashioned being rimfire but was Swiss PC89 type and hence loaded with smokeless nitrocellulose powder. Due to rapid development of ammunition and military rifles in late part of 19th century with its rimmed large-caliber black powder 10.4 mm x 38 R (.41 Swiss) cartridge and tubular magazine Vetterli M1869/71 was already an old-fashioned rifle design; Rear sight Modell 1871.

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik (In Bern
Kadettengewehre Modell 1897
SN# 403
1898
7,5x54,5mm (GP90/23) – Semi-smokeless powder
Single shot
Straight-pull (Cocking on open)
Designed by Rudolf Schmidt.

2100 weapons produced in 1898. The weapon was produced between 1898 and 1927.

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, In Bern
Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1869/71
SN# 126794
10,4x38mmR Rimfire (.41 Cal. Swiss) – Black Powder (Scharfe Gewher Patron 67)
11 rd. tubular magazine + 1 in the cartridge elevator + 1 in the chamber.
Designed by Friedrich Vetterli.

1872-1875 Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, In Bern (Total 8900 rifles).

In 1871 the Model 1869 was updated with an improved elevator system and simplified receiver. The loading gate was omitted as was the magazine cut-off, which had previously appeared on the left side of the receiver. Swiss made (designed by Friedrich Vetterli) model 1869/71 bolt action rifle with 11-round tubular magazine using 10,4 mm x 38 rimfire ammunition. While this rifle has rather large-capacity magazine it is a tubular one. At the same time ammunition, it used with it was distinctly old-fashioned being rimfire but was Swiss PC89 type and hence loaded with smokeless nitrocellulose powder. Due to rapid development of ammunition and military rifles in late part of 19th century with its rimmed large-caliber black powder 10.4 mm x 38 R (.41 Swiss) cartridge and tubular magazine Vetterli M1869/71 was already an old-fashioned rifle design; Rear sight Modell 1878 (Schmidt quadrant).

 

[Jeepix]

Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, In Bern
Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1869/71
SN# 139247
10,4x38mmR Rimfire (.41 Cal. Swiss) – Black Powder (Scharfe Gewher Patron 67)
11 rd. tubular magazine + 1 in the cartridge elevator + 1 in the chamber.
Designed by Friedrich Vetterli.

1872-1875 Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, In Bern (Total 8900 rifles).

In 1871 the Model 1869 was updated with an improved elevator system and simplified receiver. The loading gate was omitted as was the magazine cut-off, which had previously appeared on the left side of the receiver. Swiss made (designed by Friedrich Vetterli) model 1869/71 bolt action rifle with 11-round tubular magazine using 10,4 mm x 38 rimfire ammunition. While this rifle has rather large-capacity magazine it is a tubular one. At the same time ammunition, it used with it was distinctly old-fashioned being rimfire but was Swiss PC89 type and hence loaded with smokeless nitrocellulose powder. Due to rapid development of ammunition and military rifles in late part of 19th century with its rimmed large-caliber black powder 10.4 mm x 38 R (.41 Swiss) cartridge and tubular magazine Vetterli M1869/71 was already an old-fashioned rifle design; Rear sight Modell 1871.

 

[Wildey]

Rychner & Keller (Henry Rychner) - (In Aarau)
Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1869/71
SN# 11797
10,4x38mmR Rimfire (.41 Cal. Swiss) – Black Powder (Scharfe Gewher Patron 67)
11 rd. tubular magazine + 1 in the cartridge elevator + 1 in the chamber.
Designed by Friedrich Vetterli.

1871-1873 Rychner & Keller (Henry Rychner), In Aarau (Total 9700 rifles).

In 1871 the Model 1869 was updated with an improved elevator system and simplified receiver. The loading gate was omitted as was the magazine cut-off, which had previously appeared on the left side of the receiver. Swiss made (designed by Friedrich Vetterli) model 1869/71 bolt action rifle with 11-round tubular magazine using 10,4 mm x 38 rimfire ammunition. While this rifle has rather large-capacity magazine it is a tubular one. At the same time ammunition, it used with it was distinctly old-fashioned being rimfire but was Swiss PC89 type and hence loaded with smokeless nitrocellulose powder. Due to rapid development of ammunition and military rifles in late part of 19th century with its rimmed large-caliber black powder 10.4 mm x 38 R (.41 Swiss) cartridge and tubular magazine Vetterli M1869/71 was already an old-fashioned rifle design; Rear sight Modell 1871.

View attachment 1176584
View attachment 1176585

This Vetterli is a beauty!

 

[Jeepix]

V.SAUERBREY (Valentin Sauerbrey) - In Basel
Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1869
SN# 2746
10,4x38mmR Rimfire (.41 Cal. Swiss) – Black Powder (Scharfe Gewher Patron 67)
11 rd. tubular magazine + 1 in the cartridge elevator + 1 in the chamber.
Designed by Friedrich Vetterli.

1869-1873 Valentin Sauerbrey, Basel (Total 7000 rifles).

The Model 1869 Vetterli was the first model Vetterli to go into full scale production. In addition to the moving of the cleaning rod, there were several other differences between the Model 1868 and Model 1869. Notably, the tube magazine was shortened by one round. In addition, a knurled ring was added to the cocking piece, and a pair gas-escapes hole were added above the chamber. The rifle was also slightly shortened and lightened.; Valentin Sauerbrey, Basel who only ever built a few thousand Modell 1869 infantry rifles, and nothing else. Rear sight Modell 1871.