Product Description
This 96/11 infantry rifle is in very good condition with 85% original finish. 5/5 Bore. 4/5 Stock. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Non-matching bolt serial number. Magazine matching serial number. Charging handle knob is cracked. Receiver finish is dark but surface finish is uneven. Furniture is dark with some tiger striping at the stock, and exhibits a medium amount of handling marks. Finish is worn on the handguard and stock in between the two barrel bands. Includes an SIG Neuhausen M1889 bayonet with non-matching serial number, muzzle cover, and non-military leather sling. Discrete import engraving.
Receiver does not have a serial number, only a P stamp from Private sales series, not Privatization (process of retirement from military service with its outgoing owner).
The 1896/11 rifle is a modernized version of the 1889 that was designed to handle the more powerful 7.5x55mm Swiss Gewehrpatrone 1911 (GP11) cartridge. GP11 has similar ballistic qualities to that of the 7.62x51mm NATO / .308 Winchester round. Other improvements were made in order to make the 1896/11 lighter and easier to handle, such as a new barrel and a 6 round capacity box magazine.