Name? found under K31 buttplate

[vintage hunter]

Read somewhere that often the owners name could be found on a tag under the buttplate of Swiss rifles, sure enough my K31 had one. Could someone translate: Eidg. Zeughaus Zurich. Thanks-VH

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[mdrim13]

I just used google translate so no promises on accuracy but according to it, it says "Federal Armory Zurich"

hope this helps,

mdrim13

[Patrick Chadwick]

Vintage Hunter, you are spot on!

[Badger]

I also have one under my K31 butt plate as well, but I could never seem to figure out how to find if he's still alive and contact him ...

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[kar98k]

Badger:


well, the 21 after his name was the year of his birth. "Optingenstrasse 35, Bern" was where he lived and was stationed. it may be pushing it that he's still alive, but do what i did and try this international phone directory:

Die Schweizer Suchmaschine - search.ch

i found my K31's owner with it. wrote to him and got a response. one of the single coolest things i've ever had happen to me.

i was lucky in that my rifles' owner is the only guy in Switzerland with his name so it was pretty easy to just send him a letter. the letter i sent was from here:

Letter to the one on the Tag. in General Discussion Forum

your guy's name is Italian so you might try sending out the Italian one as well as an English copy


hope you find what you're looking for.

[Gibbs505]

Very interesting. Good to get in touch like that!

[Victor Six Bravo]

Swiss speak three languages, depending on what bit of the country they're in.

I used to work with a chick who was "German Swiss", and their dialect isn't quite German but we understood each other.

Most of them should speak English, or be able to translate easily.

[kar98k]

actually, there are 4 languages spoken in Switzerland. depending on which Canton they're from/in they will speak, German, French, Italian or Romansh.

it's not a sure bet that they speak English either. the guy i wrote to didn't so it's best to send a letter in what their language is and English just to be sure.

[romen2k]

I have the same (Eidg. Zeughaus Zurich) on a plastic tag under the but plate of my K31. It is held with the swrew for the but plate going through the hole in the tag. Both sides of the tag read the same. My concern is that unlike most pics I see online of these name tags, mine is stamped on with red ink. I always see an individuals name hand writted onto the tag with pencil. Is it possible this was a civilian purchsed rifle and not military issue? Also are the tags made of paper? Mine seems to be a plastic tag? I know based on the serial number it is mid 30's. All matching numbers. I dont think the stock is matching. I know the stock has a factory repair. Possible the tag came from the repair?
Any one please chime in.

[Aragorn243]

As translated above, your tag says: Federal Armory Zurich

As such, it isn't exactly a name tag but as you surmised a likely place of repair. The tags are described as plasticised paper but they look and feel like a card stock plastic to me. I have two out of three rifles with name tags, both with neatly printed names, address, etc in pencil.