Antique W+F Bern Swiss 1896/11 - 214xxx
Antique Swiss 1896/11 Infantry Rifle, produced in 1897, in very good condition with 90% finish. 5/5 Bore. 3/5 Stock. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Bolt matching serial number. Magazine matching serial number.
Furniture has a faint to light tiger stripe pattern around the butt and the underside of the stock.
On the right side of the stock, there are light pressure marks throughout the butt and grip. There are light scratches and a light gouge above the finger groove. The upper edge of the finger groove has a large flat spot, possibly from a vise being used to clamp the stock. There are scratches on the inside of the finger groove above the lower edge. To the right of the finger groove there is a heavy pressure mark, and there is a round gouge to the right of that. Multiple pressure marks on the forearm in between the two barrel bands. On the left side of the stock there are several light, vertically oriented pressure marks and a few mild gouges. There appears to be a gouge between the pistol grip and the grip that had been filled in with a wood filler. Heavy handling wear along the side of the stock from the grip to the finger groove, with several heavy gouges, multiple pressure marks, and some white paint transfer. Below the left side of the finger groove is a mild gouge. There are multiple light to mild pressure marks on the forearm around the rear barrel band, which continue up onto the handguard. A thin, rectangular splice was made at the forward end of the stock, at the woodline, around the front barrel band. On the underside of the stock, there are some light to mild pressure marks and a few light gouges between the toe and the pistol grip, there is a heavy scratch on the rear of the pistol grip, and some mild to fair pressure marks on the pistol grip itself. Pressure marks around the magazine plate, including a heavy pressure mark on the right side of the magazine plate, in front of the magazine catch. Various light to mild pressure marks along the forearm. The comb of the stock is stamped near the heel for Canton Basel-Landschaft. The handguard has multiple mild to moderate pressure marks in front of the rear barrel band and throughout the area in between the two barrel bands.
All bluing had been previously refurbished. Receiver has light edge wear around the loading slot and the lightening cuts. There is a small area of fair finish wear on the top side of the receiver at the rear edge. Light scratches in the finish at the rear of the receiver. Rear barrel band has light edge wear and light tooling marks. Front barrel band has light edge wear and light finish wear. Limited finish wear on the magazine plate, trigger guard, and magazine. On the right side of the magazine plate, next to the magazine catch, there are several marks from heavy pitting that had been blued over.
Receiver is P stamped. ·5 stamped underneath the serial number, indicating armory refurbishment in 1905.
Includes muzzle cover.
Antique; no import engraving.
