Product Description
This 96/11 infantry rifle is in good condition with estimated 75% original finish (see notes below). 5/5 Bore. 3/5 Stock. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Bolt matching serial number. Magazine matching serial number. Cracked charging handle knob. Furniture has typically expected handling marks throughout the stock, as well as a scratch parallel with the comb of the stock, found above the pistol grip. Scratch on the left side of the stock, forward of the finger groove. Receiver is P51 stamped. Includes muzzle cover and leather sling. Discrete import engraving.
This 1896/11 was painted black or a blackening solution was applied by a previous owner in situ. The front barrel band was painted black, as well as on the stock and handguard adjacent to the front barrel band. The rear barrel band was painted black, as well as on the stock and handguard adjacent to the front barrel band. Trigger guard and plate is painted black; minimal black overspray around the trigger guard and plate on the stock. Magazine base plate painted black. Receiver painted black, as well as on the stock around the receiver. Some of the black paint on the receiver is wearing off.
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.