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Conference foundr::firearms

Title:God made man, but Sam Colt made men equal
Notice:Welcome to the firearms conference!
Moderator:PEAKS::OAKEYIN
Created:Tue Mar 04 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:6616
Total number of notes:49869

6588.0. "Need help in identifying this rifle..." by TRIODE::SMOOT (Kb1mh) Wed Jan 29 1997 20:08

I was visiting the local gun shop yesterday and the owner had just taken 
in a rifle neither he nor I can identify.  I believe it was part of an
estate he purchased.

It's a military cartridge rifle, looks to date from the 1880-90
era, and appears to be either Swedish or Austrian in origin. It
is finished in white metal and has a long blade bayonet.

The action is unusual.  It's either a straight-pull or a early 
semi-auto. There is an obvious actuator handle on the right side
of the receiver that is tipped by a egg-shaped pull knob. The "egg"
is composed of what appears to be reddish colored hard rubber or gutta
percha and is mounted vertically so the operator can pull it straight
back with two fingers of the right hand. The action is enclosed and
difficult to view what's going on inside.  I didn't have a lot of time
to examine it thoroughly.

The safety actuator is unique.  It protrudes from the rear of the receiver
and is shaped into a closed ring -- perfect for a gloved finger to turn to
actuate.  It reminded me of the the thumb ring on a dentist's novacain syringe
but larger.

We looked but didn't see any obvious markings. It is a century arms 
import.  Can someone tell me what it is and what caliber is might be
chambered for?

Mike
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6588.1It may be a Swiss Miss..BSS::PROCTOR_RSniffing the floral arrangementWed Jan 29 1997 20:1111
    I am not real sure, but based on the "reddish egg" and the enclosed
    action, you may be staring at an 18** or 1911 Schmidt Rubin; a Swiss
    piece. look for the swiss cross on the thing somewhere -- they don't
    always show up, but oftimes are found on the receiver.
    
    if the thing is chambered for 7.5 Schmidt-Rubin or 7.5x55(I memory
    serves me correctly) then the mystery is solved.
    
    a 1911 runs 2-500$ depending on the area of the country, and the shape
    of the rifle. around here (Colorado) $270 is a good average.
    
6588.2BSS::PROCTOR_RSniffing the floral arrangementWed Jan 29 1997 20:123
    BTW:....
    
    gutta percha? sounds like a disease!
6588.3CSC32::D_PELTONENWed Jan 29 1997 21:3422
    
    The action described is most definitely Swiss Schmitt Rubin. The
    cocking action alone nails it down; the ring safety leaves no
    doubt a'tawl. Whether its an 1899, an 1899/1911, K31, 1911 or
    1911 Engineer's carbine would require my seeing the piece...but
    it's a definite Swiss. 
    
    The value of the rifle would be enhanced by all-matching numbers,
    as well as overall condition; the magazines were numbered as was
    the receiver, barrel and bolt. Since the magazines were detachable,
    many seemed to have gotten mixed up over the years and it is more
    commmon to see a mismatch magazine than matching. Also, the rifle
    having a bayonet adds about $50 to the price (and saves scrounging
    for one since they are not all that common). 
    
    Nice rifle, very high quality, extremely accurate but somewhat
    expensive to feed since there ain't any common/cheap ammo around
    (never has been). On the plus side, Norma offers both loaded ammo
    and empty brass; bring money! 
    
    DAP
    
6588.4CSC32::D_PELTONENWed Jan 29 1997 21:377
    
    oh yeah, the caliber is 7.5 X 55 Swiss.....that Norma ammo
    should be available in all the dealer's catalogs; Nationwide,
    Jerrys, etc. Loaded ammo is about $26/box, brass $14/box
    
    DAP
    
6588.5Thanks!TRIODE::SMOOTKb1mhThu Jan 30 1997 20:077
	Thanks for the info, folks.  I'll pass it along.  Heck, I 
	might wind up owning the thing.  It's really an interesting
	piece and in good shape.

	Mike    

6588.6triviaTRIODE::SMOOTKb1mhFri Jan 31 1997 13:039
>    BTW:....
    
>    gutta percha? sounds like a disease!

Yeah, I agree.  It was an early resinous substance that was used
among other things as the watertight cover on early underwater 
telegraph cables.  It resembled bakelite in its cast form.

mike 
6588.7Reloading Schmidt-Rubin 1911 data?BSS::PROCTOR_RSniffing the floral arrangementMon Feb 10 1997 14:276
    speaking of S-R 7.5x55 rounds;
    
    does someone have a copy of "Cartridges of the World" with the
    reloading data on these rounds?
    
    thx.