My new K31

[chrissmallwood]

Hi all. I just recieved my K31 I ordered from Classic Arms today. I got it hand picked with the troop tags. I kinda have to think that they've already sold the really nice ones. The stock on mine is a bit beat up and the bluing has been worn off about half the reciever. Im thinking about having it reblued and then either refinishing the stock or buying a new one and keeping the old one as is.




Other than that its pretty nice. The bore is bright and shiny and I didnt see any pitting or other damage to it. The trigger is as nice as everyone says it is, its very light and buttery smooth. I dont have any ammo for it yet but Im probably going to order the 480 rd case of GP11 probably from J&G sales.

Ive tried looking for info on how to search for the original owner but I havent had much luck. Can anyone give directions on how to do this.

 

[thegooch]

Ummmm. scroll down on their webpage and you'll see this

OKAY- HERE IS THE 411 ON THE K-31 I.D. TAGS. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO , A CUSTOMER CALLED ME UP AND ASKED IF I HAD ANY K-31 RIFLES WITH THE ORIGINAL SOLDIERS I.D. TAGS UNDER THE BUTTPLATE. I THOUGT HE WAS CRAZY , BUT IN AN EFFORT TO HUMOR THE GUY I TOLD HIM I WOULD REMOVE A FEW BUTTPLATES, LOOK, AND GET BACK TO HIM. LOW AND BEHOLD , ON ABOUT THE 4TH OR 5TH ONE I HIT PAYDIRT. THERE UNDER THE BUTTPLATE AND HELD IN PLACE BY ONE OF THE PLATE SCREWS WAS A PLASTIC TAG CONTAINING THE SERIAL # ON ONE SIDE AND THE INFORMATION ON THE ORIGINAL SWISS OWNER ON THE OTHER SIDE. (SEE PHOTO) I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IF YOU GO TO THE GUN BOARDS, AND SWISS RIFLE FORUMS I AM TOLD THERE IS ACTUALLY A GUY THERE WHO WILL TRANSLATE THE WRITING FOR YOU. I KNOW OF SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE ORIGINAL SWISS OWNERS EITHER VIA MAIL OR THE INTERNET AND HAVE RECEIVED REPLIES. IN SOME INSTANCES WHERE THE ORIGINAL TROOP WAS DECEASED, HIS HEIRS WOULD REPLY. I JUST THINK IT IS PRETTY COOL THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY FIND OUT THE HISTORY OF THIS RIFLE FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER. EITHER WAY IT IS A NICE COLLECTOR AND CONVERSATION PIECE.
POST SCRIPT. - AFTER READING THIS ENTRY, THE CUSTOMER WHO NOTIFIED ME OF THE I.D. TAGS CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THANKS FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. I ASKED HE HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS NAME AND CONTACT INFO LISTED HERE AND HE AGREED. HIS NAME IS DANNY GIBSON. HE APPEARS TO HAVE A TREMENDOUS KNOWLEDGE OF THESE FIREARMS AND A HUNGER TO SHARE IT. YOU MAY CONTACT HIM AT [email protected]. THANKS DAN, YOU ARE A TRUE GENTLEMAN.

 

[Shung]

Ive tried looking for info on how to search for the original owner but I havent had much luck. Can anyone give directions on how to do this.

serial ? name under the plate ?

 

[chrissmallwood]

thegooch-I didnt see that on their webpage.

Shung- Ive got the tag with the name on it but I didnt know what to do with the info on it.

 

[308sc]

I just got 2 from classic. My stocks are rough, bluing is 75-80% bore= perfect

 

[chrissmallwood]

308sc- Have you shot them yet?

 

[Shung]

Shung- Ive got the tag with the name on it but I didnt know what to do with the info on it.

give them (info) to me for example, I might give you some informations about your rifle.

 

[Soybomb]

http://tel.search.ch/index.en.html

Looks like a pretty good K31 to me. Remember these were carried and used, the rearsenaled stuff spoils us a bit.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Here is a picture of the tag



Here is a closeup of the the last name. Im not sure what the 5th letter is. I dont know if it is an ff,fl,h or a big A.


Thanks for the help.

 

[Cosmoline]

I wish I could tell you the name of a smith who could do nice touchup or reblue work on surplus rifles, but I can't. The last few times I had firearms reblued, even with the most expensive procedure, the results looked horrible. It's a lost art. I'd just leave the K31 as is. There's a patina there that will prevent any serious rust if you keep some clp on it.

 

[Shung]

Schaffner Paul ... in Basel. Very easy.

now, this guy is probably already dead.. but still we could find him.. you even have his adress at the time :

Elsässer Strasse (Street) 49, in Basel city.

and that :

17 Sch Flab Battr 1/39

Means that the guy was incorporated into a Anti Aircraft Artillery (AAA)battallion.

So hopefully he didnt use that rifle too much, and still you have a good barrel.

 

[Chipperman]

Tag
I'd like to research mine at some point.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Thanks shung. Appreciate the help

 

[35 Whelen]

Regarding ammo, if I may suggest, Widners 7.5 Swiss Ammunition they're selling it for $26.87 per 60 in case lots. That's about $215 per case.
Enjoy your rifle. The real fun comes when you shoot it. You'll throw rocks at your other MilSurps and possibly at some of your "modern" rifles!
35W