Product Description
Rare Swiss 1889/96, manufactured for private sale as denoted by the P-prefix serial number, in very good condition with 85% original finish. 4/5 Bore (bright bore, lightly worn rifling). 4/5 Stock. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Bolt matching serial number. Magazine matching serial number.
Furniture has beautiful tiger striping throughout. Stock has light handling wear overall. On the right side of the stock, there are a pair of heavy pressure marks and a light pressure mark above the magazine cut-off lever as well as a light pressure mark to the left of the finger groove. Mild handling wear around the rear barrel band. On the left side of the stock, there is a mild pressure mark below the comb. Mild handling wear along the side of the stock below the receiver. Mild handling wear around the rear barrel band. Handguard has a couple of small, light gouges.
Overall receiver bluing is quite dark. Receiver has a few scattered small marks in the surface. Mild finish wear on the left side of the loading slot, above the left side lightening cut, and a few marks of finish wear to the right of the lightening cut. Rear barrel band has light finish wear and several surface marks in the metal. Front barrel band has light finish wear. Mild pitting on the magazine plate. Trigger guard has moderate to heavy pitting. Magazine has light finish wear and mild to fair pitting.
Both bolt knobs are cracked.
Includes muzzle cover and leather sling. Sling is matched to the rifle and has a small plaque on it near the front sling mount with the name "E. CUENOD" of Geneva, and the serial number. Sling is stamped with leathermaker's stamp "Josef Schmid" of Eschenbach (St. Gallen).
Antique; no import engraving. See our How To Order page for ordering instructions.
This rifle at first glance is easily confused with the original model 1889 Infantry Rifle, and the name suggests that it was an update to the original Schmidt-Rubin 1889, however the 89/96 is a completely separate rifle. This is one of the few remaining 1889/96 rifles that were not converted to the 96/11. Note the lack of pistol grip on the stock that was found beginning with the 96/11, as well as the presence of the original 12rd magazine and magazine cut-off lever. The bolt was updated, with the help of Col. Vogelsang, and the bolt sleeve was shortened and the bolt lugs moved forward. This design continued with the 96/11. The receiver is 20mm shorter at the rear, compared to the original 1889 rifle. It is still chambered in GP90 as this was produced prior to the development of GP11 ammunition, so please do not attempt to use GP11 ammunition with this rifle.