If this was your rifle

tark said:
The buttplate? Every K-31 I have ever examined has a buttplate that overhangs a bit...or more than a bit. This is because the butts of the guns were often standing in snow while the soldier rested. Most K-31. This wasn't kind to the wood. Most K-31s I have seen have a rather cobby looking three or four inches of wood next to the butt plate.
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Now that you mention it, that's exactly what the rifle on the AIM ad looks like, the last few inches of stock from the buttplate forward are discolored.

https://aimsurplus.com/products/swiss-k31-7-5x55-rifle
 
I don't know a thing about this kind of rifle. But if it were mine, I would keep it. Wood is in amazing condition for its age.
 
Tell the other guy that unless he has at least a pristine Anschutz 54 to trade, you are not interested. That K-31 is a unicorn, and market price for the typical specimen has no relevance.

At one time I owned 6 of these. I am down to two, but in no hurry to dispose of either. Only regret is that I didn't pick up more of the issue ammo when it was reasonably priced.
 
tark said:
Uhhh.... I have never seen a K-31 in my life where the grasping grooves on the stock were NOT rounded.
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Then you haven't looked very long or hard. The arsenal didn't sand stocks or round off corners.

k31small.jpg
k31 (1957*) single issue, never refurbished w/tag

k00-11small.jpg
k00/11 Zoll order w/tag. Started of as a P series 1900 short rifle. Got updated to k11 standard around 1914 where it remained with the border guard for decades. Probably never refinished, just worn.
 
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Jeff olson said:
View attachment 1125297 View attachment 1125298 View attachment 1125299 View attachment 1125300 View attachment 1125301 View attachment 1125302 View attachment 1125303 View attachment 1125304 View attachment 1125305 View attachment 1125306 I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum. I'm looking for opinions and insight into this gun. K31 Swiss. 7.5x55. Has the issue tag behind butt plate. I'm considering trading this rifle but I have no idea of a fair value. It is all matching except the bayonet. I have looked at completed sales on GB but none have a serial # this low or in similar condition. Does have import marks. Thanx in advance.
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Your stock is refinished. Not the worse I've seen. Someone stained the stock as well. It's a 1956 which is beech wood. See mine above for a more accurate color.
The magazine still has halo's around the numbers so the metal finish looks good except for a few places.
Your bayonet doesn't have a SN so it was either a musicians bayonet or surplus. Being a late model most likely surplus. It's worth about 200.
You're looking at about 600 for the gun. I would ask 900 and wouldn't sell it for less than 750 all together depending on your location.

(I thought they were bringing more but looking at simpson there's still good ones to be had under 600 like SKU: Z53540.)
 
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SchmidtRubin said:
Then you haven't looked very long or hard. The arsenal didn't sand stocks or round off corners.
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Then exactly WHAT do you mean by "Rounded." Are you talking about the grasping groove in the stock?
SchmidtRubin said:
Your stock is refinished. Not the worse I've seen. Someone stained the stock as well.
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Can you explain how you know this?
 
Just got off of Simpson's website. Z53540 looks like a good rifle, at a fair price... I guess...but it is an absolute dog compared to the OP's gun. The stock is covered with dings, dents and scratches. the bluing grades out at 75%. The sling and muzzle cover are nice extras, but there is no way that gun can even begin to compare to the OP's rifle. It is on page 12 of the "military surplus section, should anyone care to look it up and compare. Note, especially, the last picture, of the buttstock.
SchmidtRubin said:
You're looking at about 600 for the gun. I would ask 900 and wouldn't sell it for less than 750
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Seriously? you value the OP's gun at around $600? Compared to Z53540 I would say you are undervaluing the OP's gun by a rather large amount.
 
tark said:
Then exactly WHAT do you mean by "Rounded." Are you talking about the grasping groove in the stock?

Can you explain how you know this?
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k31 finger grooves.jpg

Yes, the finger grooves. You can tell it has been sanded down by how soft the edge is. I learned long ago wood doesn't grow back, 0000 steel wool is as abrasive as I get if I'm so compelled.
You have to consider these are milsurp, a banged up stock is expected. Most of the military issue k31's were in the alps and froze to the ground and had to be kicked free with hobnail boots, that's part of its history. The dings are almost always preferable to a refinish.

"Note, especially, the last picture, of the buttstock."
Notice the proof mark hasn't been sanded off either.

"I would say you are undervaluing the OP's gun by a rather large amount."
The mid barrel band and the front sight on OP's gun looks off on the finish.

Also I would have to see the rifling immediately after the chamber. Some competitively shot carbines are washed out the first 2 inches from the chamber but people often only report the overall appearance of the barrel.
 
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I don't want to be the cause of any heated exchanges so I'll just say this. I do believe it to be a refinish as well. I'm just a dum@%&$ looking for some help. The stock is far too nice to be original in my opinion. There isn't one single cartouche on the wood as well. But what do I know. It was definitely an issued rifle as evident by the tag under the butt plate. However, the metal parts are pristine and the bore is crisp surgically clean.
 
Jeff olson said:
I don't want to be the cause of any heated exchanges so I'll just say this. I do believe it to be a refinish as well. I'm just a dum@%&$ looking for some help. The stock is far too nice to be original in my opinion. There isn't one single cartouche on the wood as well. But what do I know. It was definitely an issued rifle as evident by the tag under the butt plate. However, the metal parts are pristine and the bore is crisp surgically clean.
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Oh I'm not arguing, I'm hopefully educating.
I don't know if the tag adds any value. Do you have a picture of it?
 
Just don't want to start something because my ignorance. Anyway, yes. 20230118_191247.jpg 20230118_191303.jpg
And what I just noticed as tell tale signs. The lint, hair, dust particles in the finish, as well as the runs and buildup of stain. 20230118_191450.jpg 20230118_191515.jpg 20230118_191559.jpg
 
Looks like Captain Felix Keller
Landstrasse Street 152 Nussbannen something
Something something 5th corp
https://www.google.com/maps/search/...rland/@47.4623381,8.3313744,17z/data=!3m1!4b1

Search.ch is down so I can't tell you if the guy is still alive. Supposedly the guy on my 1957 gun was when I got it but I never got a reply.

Sandwich your tag between some thin plastic used for baseball cards. I've seen acids from wood and rust ruin tags.
 
Re-finished or not if it were me I'd keep it. It's getting harder to find old Mil-Surps that are as complete as yours especially with the provenance that you have with it.
 
Jeff olson said:
Just don't want to start something because my ignorance. Anyway, yes.View attachment 1128215 View attachment 1128216
And what I just noticed as tell tale signs. The lint, hair, dust particles in the finish, as well as the runs and buildup of stain.View attachment 1128217 View attachment 1128218 View attachment 1128219
Click to expand...

To the contrary this is an excellent topic that we all can learn something from. If you haven't noticed a flame war hasn't started and we have some members who have posted on this thread who I would say are experts on the topic of your particular rifle.
 
Jeff olson said:
I have about 140 rds of herters, pmc and others. It's unlikely I'll ever shoot this rifle, but who knows?.
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You should shoot it. K31s are great shooting guns that are very accurate and one of the finest military rifles ever produced.

The action is butter smooth and they have a good two stage trigger.
 
If that was my rifle, I wouldn’t sell it trade it, even if I only shot it every few years. If I had to I’d just save for the next one.
 
Ok, caught up with Mike, who confirmed the above about the bayonet and rifle condition.

Per him, in Switzerland, that would be a Cf300-350 rifle, but that's because there's like one in every attic or basement (or both) all over Switzerland.

Hauptman Keller would have likely bought that to shoot in local 300m matches, and not take out on Drill, as he would have been issued a pistol for his military duties.
 
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