Product Description
This is an antique Swiss 1896/11 Infantry Rifle, produced in 1898. It is in excellent condition with 95% finish. 5/5 Bore. 5/5 Stock. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Bolt matching serial number. Magazine matching serial number. Top charging handle knob is cracked. Stock has a very light tiger striping pattern. Furniture overall is very clean with light handling marks present. There are light pressure marks seen throughout, expected with military service and a rifle of this vintage. Metal finish is likely to have been refurbished at some point as the bluing on the receiver is dark and complete with no edge wear. Both barrel bands also exhibit minimal finish wear. Trigger plate and magazine exhibit little finish wear. Trigger guard has dark bluing with light edge wear. Receiver is P 53 stamped. Antique; no import engraving.
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.