Exceptional Pre-1899 Schmidt-Rubin M1896/11 Rifle, 7.5 Swiss

SOLD at cost (475) to  Frank at  Missoula Show Aug. 11, 2024. A scarce Pre-1899 Swiss M1896/11 rifle in exceptional condition. This 7.5×55 Schmidt-Rubin straight pull long rifle is nearly excellent condition. 30.7” barrel, blued finish, excellent stock, blade front sight and adjustable tangent rear sight. Marked on receiver, barrel, right side buttstock, and small parts with Swiss cross. About 85% finish remaining on the barrel and receiver. The buttplate and the bottom of the magazine show the most wear. The wood is a beautiful honey-blonde color and is in outstanding condition! (See photos.) The only detractor on this rifle is that the top charging handle knob is chipped.  (Again, see photos.) Original Swiss arsenal replacements are available on eBay, and can be replaced in minutes, with a standard screwdriver. The action is smooth and the bore is gorgeous bright and shiny, with sharp rifling. This was a pre-1968 import, so there are no import marks!. This rifle’s serial number (22052X) places its date of manufacture in the second half of 1898. (They must have a serial # under 236,500 to be legally antique.) Marked “P 48” above the receiver serial number, indicating that this rifle was Privatized in 1948. The serial numbers all match:  Receiver, barrel, bolt, and magazine.  The buttplate does not have a visible serial number.  Of all of the various Schmidt-Rubin straight-pull rifle variants, it is only the Model 1896 that is both Federally antique, yet also rated to safely handle the high-pressure 7.5×55  GP11 cartridge and modern commercial cartridges. I’ll leave the treasure hunt for a possible soldier’s name tag under the buttplate up to you. (BPKG-523)