K31 Schmidt Ruben Identified

[Pattern14]

In 2004 I purchased a K31 when they were still plentiful and inexpensive. There was an ID tag under the buttplate with the original soldier's name and unit (Marcel xxxxxxx, 1927, Howitzer Battery 111/1, Penthalaz). Just recently, on a whim, I decided to try and find out if he was still alive and did some research on his name using an international phone directory. I found two names that matched but only one had the proper town so I wrote him. I received a letter from him stating that the rifle was issued to him in 1946 and he turned it in to the government arsenal in 1966 when he completed his military service. He was amazed that the rifle made it all the way to the United States especially when he said, "after long marches that rifle was so heavy I was tempted to throw it in the lake many times."

Information

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[Harlan (Deceased)]

Fantastic story!

Gosh. after having the rifle throughout his service for 20 years you should have given it to him.

Of course when he saw it again he might have actually thrown it in a lake!

[gunner]

Hi Pattern 14,
Thanks for this story, my friends and i have 5 Swiss rifles but no one had a ID tag in his rifle. How does it shoot ? We use these rifles with a 168 grs. Hornady bullet and a N110 load they are very very accurate. Enjoy it.

Regards

Gunner

[Pattern14]

Hi Pattern 14,
Thanks for this story, my friends and i have 5 Swiss rifles but no one had a ID tag in his rifle. How does it shoot ? We use these rifles with a 168 grs. Hornady bullet and a N110 load they are very very accurate. Enjoy it.

Regards

Gunner

Thanks Gunner,
My K31 was made in 1945 at Eidgenossiche Waffenbrik, Bern Switzerland and still has the original sling in excellent condition and marked "M. Kaufmann, Sattler, Granichen 45". It shoots better than I can see with 168 grain Hornadys and IMR 4064. On my best day I was able to get 1.5 MOA with 6 rounds. In fact, of all my 60+ rifles, it is the second only in accuracy to a .303 Eddystone Pattern 14.

[AR-BALLISTIC]

I just recently purchased a K31 and was eager to remove the butt plate hoping to find a tag. Sure enough there was one there. Unfortunately for me it's a bit dirty and hard to read. I can make some of it out. I am going to try and find out what I can with the little info I was able to decipher from the tag. Glad you were able to find the original owner of your rifle. Great thread. Mike

In 2004 I purchased a K31 when they were still plentiful and inexpensive. There was an ID tag under the buttplate with the original soldier's name and unit (Marcel xxxxxxx, 1927, Howitzer Battery 111/1, Penthalaz). Just recently, on a whim, I decided to try and find out if he was still alive and did some research on his name using an international phone directory. I found two names that matched but only one had the proper town so I wrote him. I received a letter from him stating that the rifle was issued to him in 1946 and he turned it in to the government arsenal in 1966 when he completed his military service. He was amazed that the rifle made it all the way to the United States especially when he said, "after long marches that rifle was so heavy I was tempted to throw it in the lake many times."

[madcratebuilder]

I just recently purchased a K31 and was eager to remove the butt plate hoping to find a tag. Sure enough there was one there. Unfortunately for me it's a bit dirty and hard to read. I can make some of it out. I am going to try and find out what I can with the little info I was able to decipher from the tag. Glad you were able to find the original owner of your rifle. Great thread. Mike

You can find help here on contacting the previous Swiss owner.
The Swiss Rifles Message Board - Message Board

[Pattern14]

I just recently purchased a K31 and was eager to remove the butt plate hoping to find a tag. Sure enough there was one there. Unfortunately for me it's a bit dirty and hard to read. I can make some of it out. I am going to try and find out what I can with the little info I was able to decipher from the tag. Glad you were able to find the original owner of your rifle. Great thread. Mike

Mike, Try googling "swiss phone directory" with the name on the tag if you're able to see it. Fortunately, I had the full name and location of the soldier that carried my rifle and was able to find him with this information. Apparently, Swiss gentlemen do not stray too far from their homes and in many cases, this helps to find them easily. In my case, the soldier was eager to provide me with his service record and was amazed to discover that his rifle which he possessed for it's entire service life strayed so far from its original home. Good luck on your search!

George

[AR-BALLISTIC]

Hi George... I was able to make out the name on my tag and with a little help from a guy on the SWISS RIFLE MESSAGE BOARD I was able to get the address of (hopefully) the original owner of my rifle.Today I sent out a letter to him. I was provided a SAMPLE letter where all I had to do was insert my name and the SERIAL NUMBER of the rifle. I sent 1 letter in German and 1 in English with some photos of the rifle along with a photo copy of the ID TAG and my home address and email so I can hopefully get a reply. I will give an update if I hear back from him. Mike

Mike, Try googling "swiss phone directory" with the name on the tag if you're able to see it. Fortunately, I had the full name and location of the soldier that carried my rifle and was able to find him with this information. Apparently, Swiss gentlemen do not stray too far from their homes and in many cases, this helps to find them easily. In my case, the soldier was eager to provide me with his service record and was amazed to discover that his rifle which he possessed for it's entire service life strayed so far from its original home. Good luck on your search!

George

[kar98k]

Hi George... I was able to make out the name on my tag and with a little help from a guy on the SWISS RIFLE MESSAGE BOARD I was able to get the address of (hopefully) the original owner of my rifle.Today I sent out a letter to him. I was provided a SAMPLE letter where all I had to do was insert my name and the SERIAL NUMBER of the rifle. I sent 1 letter in German and 1 in English with some photos of the rifle along with a photo copy of the ID TAG and my home address and email so I can hopefully get a reply. I will give an update if I hear back from him. Mike

i did the exact same thing today

[AR-BALLISTIC]

Cool Can't wait for updates. Good luck. Mike

i did the exact same thing today