Cosmoline
Member
Many years ago I had a 96/11 Swiss long rifle. I was very impressed by its sub MOA accuracy, but I foolishly traded it off. I've been looking for one ever since but they've been thin on the ground in these parts. Today at the Alaska Gun Collectors Association I was wading through the usual junk and overpriced Winchesters when I saw an old friend who had a table. On the table was a 1911 in fine condition for a reasonable price. All matching, with the only flaw being a bit of the bakelite handle chipped off (not uncommon at all)
For those who don't know, the 1911 was the long rifle the Swiss developed in the runup to the Great War. I've owned and shot a great variety of surplus arms, and these rifles are in my estimation the very best of the first world war period. Only the highest end Mauser snipers and Swedish Mausers come close in terms of consistent accuracy and craftsmanship. On the level of craft and precision, it is better than any rifle the US has EVER produced for her troops. But they don't command a big premium with collectors because collectors don't know much about them, and you won't find Tom Hanks in any epic films about the Swiss bicycle patrols LOL
It boasted an innovative removable magazine and a revamped version of the old 7.5 Swiss that was ballistically very similar to the 7.62 Nato developed generations later. It can be fed one round at a time or by various kinds of stripper clips. The sights are the only drawback. They're calibrated for 300 meters on up, which was standard for that period. But high sights are available.
This was the rifle that prompted the following legendary exchange:
http://www.christianaction.org.za/firearmnews/2002-2_targetswitzerland.htm
I was on my bike, but didn't hesitate snatching it up. I had no real way of carrying the thing, so I jammed it in my little backpack scabbard and rode across town to the last place that has GP-11. Snatched up some bricks and rode back home. En route I picked up dry cleaning and did some shopping, all with this enormous long gun sticking out of my backpack. Most people didn't bat an eye. Alaska and Switzerland are among the only places on the planet where you could do that, and I don't think you could do it in a major Swiss city these days.
Anyway, I can't wait to try it out but I have little doubt it will be accurate. The bore is of course minty and it has a special aluminum barrel sleeve fitted between the wood and the barrel--a feature found in most of the very best surplus rifles such as the M-28/30 Finns.
I have an idea of getting some handloads set up and going after bou with it. The fact that the bore would reach half way to the herd is a bonus. But I might not be able to fit it on the plane.
For those who don't know, the 1911 was the long rifle the Swiss developed in the runup to the Great War. I've owned and shot a great variety of surplus arms, and these rifles are in my estimation the very best of the first world war period. Only the highest end Mauser snipers and Swedish Mausers come close in terms of consistent accuracy and craftsmanship. On the level of craft and precision, it is better than any rifle the US has EVER produced for her troops. But they don't command a big premium with collectors because collectors don't know much about them, and you won't find Tom Hanks in any epic films about the Swiss bicycle patrols LOL
It boasted an innovative removable magazine and a revamped version of the old 7.5 Swiss that was ballistically very similar to the 7.62 Nato developed generations later. It can be fed one round at a time or by various kinds of stripper clips. The sights are the only drawback. They're calibrated for 300 meters on up, which was standard for that period. But high sights are available.
This was the rifle that prompted the following legendary exchange:
http://www.christianaction.org.za/firearmnews/2002-2_targetswitzerland.htm
I was on my bike, but didn't hesitate snatching it up. I had no real way of carrying the thing, so I jammed it in my little backpack scabbard and rode across town to the last place that has GP-11. Snatched up some bricks and rode back home. En route I picked up dry cleaning and did some shopping, all with this enormous long gun sticking out of my backpack. Most people didn't bat an eye. Alaska and Switzerland are among the only places on the planet where you could do that, and I don't think you could do it in a major Swiss city these days.
Anyway, I can't wait to try it out but I have little doubt it will be accurate. The bore is of course minty and it has a special aluminum barrel sleeve fitted between the wood and the barrel--a feature found in most of the very best surplus rifles such as the M-28/30 Finns.
I have an idea of getting some handloads set up and going after bou with it. The fact that the bore would reach half way to the herd is a bonus. But I might not be able to fit it on the plane.
