Schmidt-Rubin 96/11 Sporter

Gday All

I have just purchased the above rifle (see photos) and need some info on it.

Already have handle on the cartridge, but it any one has any reloading info on it please forward.

It seems to be a 96/11 rebarrelled in 10.3x60R, new sights, magazine blanked off with wood plug to make it a single shot and a palm scarfed into the butt.

If the serial numbers are correct it would make it 1909 (No 332916).

So if anyone could shed light on this firearm, I would be grateful.

See attached photos

regards

BLue

Ok so I can give the first bit of this firearms history. It was made in 1909 as a Gewehr 1889/96 rifle in the GP-90 round. Sometime during 1913-1920 this rifle would have then been converted to the Gewehr 96/11 configuration in GP-11. This rifle stayed in service until 1937 when it was privatized (that is what the P37 on your receiver means). From there it was sporterized by someone into the configuration it is in now.

Thanks for the info
I asked the same question on Swissrifle forum. Like you I thought the P37 was for privatising, but the person who replied to me on
there said that because there is a full stop (period) in between the P and 37, that this was not the case, but a armourers mark.
I havent seen any other examples of this on any other S-R rifle.

I would expect to see these marks on a Lee enfield or such

BLue

I seriously question someone saying that it is a armourers mark. Especially considering it is right where they put the Privatization mark. If you go here, it says the P.37 is a privatization mark as well.
Swiss Rifle Markings

You have to wonder why anyone would have converted it to that cartridge. It is said to be a popular target round in Switzerland but still seems to be a downward move.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that apparently Switzerland used to have a minimum caliber for hunting, I believe 9.3mm or there abouts (which many K93s were converted to, 9.3x53r). It would explain why they would convert this particular rifle if they weren't allowed to use the standard 7.5mm rounds.

Thanks Guys....for confirming what my suspicions were.
WRT the reason behind making the cartridge, I have heard (and I agree in most part) that it was brought in as an answer to the British 450-400 NE - not sure why maybe using the British cartridge or rifle may have attracted a large import duty or maybe just that European-British rivallry thing.

Anyhoo got some Bertram and RWS brass for it and some Hornady .411 projectiles - not sure of the powder to use yet, I have seen some using RS40 or 50 but hard
to get that here so will have to work out equiv alents.
and let you know how I go

BLue

What is the story on these Schmidt-Rubin sporters? Relatively common in Switzerland? Are they worth anything or are they just considered cheap butchered military rifles?



https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../MifBuhj-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../AqX9zYf-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../jDjGoyy-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../JAllg5z-1.jpg

The first rifle has had some work done but it seems an enthusiastic knowledgeable amateur. The second rifle really looks professionally good. Both definitely not cheap butchered.

Worth is in the eye of the beholder. I don't think I would buy one unless it were very cheap but I can see how someone else might pay a premium for such a rifle.

Thank you for bringing it up.

New one on me and most interesting.

Bluelamb, your new sporter was probably intended for hunting in the Swiss canton of Grabünden.

In Graubünden, you have to use a rifle with a minimum caliber of 10.2 mm for the hunt on chamois and stag, and only single shots are allowed. The most popular caliber used there is 10.3 x 60R, and since in Graubünden, lots of people with not very much money hunt, old army rifles rebarreled to 10.3 x 60R and turned into single shots are widely used.