Surplus a k11 Swiss carbine rifle

[schmidt]

HELLO just bought my first military surplus a k11 Swiss carbine rifle . having trouble identifying year made. serial number on bolt is 8562 with a P under it.
is there also a manual on this rifle ? thank you for any help that's given . TERRY

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Crazy, second one of these to show up this month. You do not have a K11, you have a 1889/1900 short rifle made in 1905 which may or may not have been converted to K11 "standards". I would not recommend firing GP 11 in this rifle. The bolt has locking lugs in the rear and is weaker than the actual K11 which has the locking lugs toward the middle.

See thread K11 Serial number for further discussion and details.

The P means it was sold to a civilian, probably the soldier it was originally issued to.

A book called "For Collectors Only" "Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles" should tell you just about everything you need on these.

[gunsaholic]

Howdy. I'm the other fellow who just acquired a Schmidt Rubin that turned out to be a model 1889/1900 short rifle. Only mine has no P in the serial number. Can you post a pic? From info I just found on the net, apparently the bolts were not changed during the conversion but supposedly the barrels were along with the sights. This was supposed to make them up to K11 standards and able to shoot GP11 ammo but with still retaining the original rear lug bolt it makes one wonder if shooting GP11 would be a wise idea.

[Gil Boyd]

This may help and associated links I was reading: Schmidt-Rubin FAQ

[gunsaholic]

Below is the info I found regarding the conversions which I also posted in my thread that I had going.



(quote)It was determined that the 89/96 could easily be converted (Model 1889s could not) to handle the new cartridge by re-barreling the rifle.

1889/96s were converted to 1896.11s buy replacing or modifying the following:







A new barrel was added.
Already fitted the the barrel were new front and rear sights.
A pistol grip was grafted onto the stock of the rifle.
The new rifles were also fitted with 6rd magazines, similar to the 1889/1900 pattern magazine, minus the reinforcing ridge, although the magazine did include a bolt hold-open feature for when the magazine was empty.
A new trigger-guard was fitted to accommodate the new magazine.(end of quote )

[schmidt]

HELLO , thanks for reply . these come from CLASSIC ARMS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THEY EITHER DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SELLING OR ARE DISHONEST ? what ammo is safe to shoot out of them if gp 11 cant be used ? also how can you tell if converted for gp11 ? thank you schmidt

---------- Post added at 01:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

hi , are these safe to shoot gp11 ? how can you tell if converted ? ill try to get a picture up. if I can figure out how to do it ? thank you schmidt

[Aragorn243]

The rifles from the exterior do look like K-11's so they may not be dishonest but if your intent was to use GP11, you should contact them and correct them and possibly get your money back. There is no ammo you can purchase that is correct. You can use GP11 casings, trim they slightly and then reload them with the correct load but that's about it if you want to be "safe". I believe the correct terminology is GP90 but that isn't made anymore. GP11 will fit and can be fired but the pressure ratings are much higher than the 1889 design is listed as handling. The Swiss themselves say that GP11 is only to be used in these pre-1911 rifles in emergency wartime situations only.

I myself have not seen that the barrels being replaced would make a pressure difference although it could be slight. That leaves the bolt and the bolt's weakness is the rear locking lugs. That hasn't been changed.

[gunsaholic]

As far as knowing if the barrel was replaced, I was told if it's a 3 groove barrel it has not been changed and if it is a 4 groove it has been changed. But as already mentioned, the bolt is original.

[schmidt]

THANKS for info , I appreciate it . schmidt

[Gil Boyd]

Must be a great incentive to look after your rifle in the Swiss Army, in the knowledge that when you have done your time, you can take your service rifle withyou if you wish.
I'd have coursed myself to death to get all the benefits to add to it, scope etc

Great for a country supposedly neutral with nothing to shoot, and Julie Andrews running all around the countryside with the Von Tropp family in tow