K31 Swiss rifle - new to me

[Parker Duofold]

Just got this last week. Haven't shot it yet but have some surplus Swiss ammo and looking forward to getting to the range. Completely disassembled and cleaned. Barrel looked pretty nasty on first inspection but after an hour of cleaning it's beautiful!

I think date of manufacture is around 1943 - 45.

Simulated Swiss Alps snow included in the pics.

 

[napoleon1815]

She's a beaut! She's a 1945 too!

Année Quantité No de série
(Year) (Quantity) (Serial Number)
1933 1193 520010-521202
1934 15534 521203-536736
1935 13664 536737-550400
1936 11326 550401-561727
1937 11639 561728-573366
1938 10344 573367-583700
1939 15300 583701-599000
1940 33575 599001-632575
1941 54150 632576-686725
1942 49350 686726-736075
1943 50475 736076-786550
1944 51900 786551-838450
1945 26200 838451-864650
1946 15600 864651-880250
1947 20950 880251-901200
1948 20100 901201-921300
1949 15500 921301-936800
1950 13200 936801-950000
1951 23050 950001-973050
1952 21400 973051-994450
1953 5549 994451-999999
1953 7450 215001-222450
1954 17150 222451-239600
1955 11250 239601-250850
1956 6400 250851-257250
1957 2950 257251-260200
1958 3130 260201-263330

 

[OldNorth]

It looks right at home in the snow. The K31 is a beautiful rifle and it doesn't hurt that they are tack-drivers.

Does it have a soldier tag under the butt-plate? It's so cool that some of these rifles not only have the name of the soldier it was issued to, but also their unit, where they served or even their home address!

 

[drgrant]

Random thought.... It would be REALLY ****ING cool if they actually used these in Biathalons instead of those pew pew rifles they shoot.

-Mike

 

[kalash]

Very cool. I've wanted one ever since I first read about them.

 

[Parker Duofold]

It looks right at home in the snow. The K31 is a beautiful rifle and it doesn't hurt that they are tack-drivers.

Does it have a soldier tag under the butt-plate? It's so cool that some of these rifles not only have the name of the soldier it was issued to, but also their unit, where they served or even their home address!

Well, the slots in the two screws that hold the plate on are very narrow and the standard USA screwdriver won't quite fit right. I'm sure I have the correct tool in the big toolbox in the garage but haven't ventured out there to get it yet. I'll get that "head masher" off and check ASAP.

 

[SIGPRO 226]

Nice rifle i'm working on getting myself one also

 

[KMM696]

If you're looking for really obscure accessories for a K31, there are Swiss gunsmiths that made left hand bolt handles for K31s.

It cost me twice what I paid for the rifle, but it's my only left hand C&R - probably ever.

 

[OldNorth]

Random thought.... It would be REALLY ****ING cool if they actually used these in Biathalons instead of those pew pew rifles they shoot.

-Mike

 

[coastie]

If you're looking for really obscure accessories for a K31, there are Swiss gunsmiths that made left hand bolt handles for K31s.

It cost me twice what I paid for the rifle, but it's my only left hand C&R - probably ever.

Where did you get this?

 

[Dirtypacman]

Love it!

As to the OP - I am jealous - I too have wanted a K31 for many years. Should have bought one back in the day - enjoy it!

 

[majspud]

Random thought.... It would be REALLY ****ING cool if they actually used these in Biathalons instead of those pew pew rifles they shoot.

-Mike

+1

...and no creepy contacts either!

T.

- - - Updated - - -

If you're looking for really obscure accessories for a K31, there are Swiss gunsmiths that made left hand bolt handles for K31s.

It cost me twice what I paid for the rifle, but it's my only left hand C&R - probably ever.

Oh, sure...you HAD to tell me this!

T.

 

[Sweeney]

Nice rifle! A K31 is on my short list as well now that I finally got a Mosin... Finn M39 arrived today.

 

[76Too]

this is the devils work, I tell you!!! burn heathen...BUUURRRRNNNNN!!!

on a separate note, i'm in lust with my K31...have since bought an 1889 black powder (matching numbers) and have my eyes on a K11 Carbine. safe to say I have the swiss rifle disease...it can only be cured by owning every straight pull swiss variation made...1896, 96/11, 1911, K11 Karabiner left to go.

If you're looking for really obscure accessories for a K31, there are Swiss gunsmiths that made left hand bolt handles for K31s.

It cost me twice what I paid for the rifle, but it's my only left hand C&R - probably ever.

 

[USMA-82]

this is the devils work, I tell you!!! burn heathen...BUUURRRRNNNNN!!!

on a separate note, i'm in lust with my K31...have since bought an 1889 black powder (matching numbers) and have my eyes on a K11 Carbine. safe to say I have the swiss rifle disease...it can only be cured by owning every straight pull swiss variation made...1896, 96/11, 1911, K11 Karabiner left to go.

MMMMWAAAHHAHAHAHA!

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vb...le-Collection-(so-far)?highlight=swiss+ladies

*

 

[JuergenG]

We need some kind of re-distribution here.....you outnumber me by two. Which one are you going to give up?
Geez, finally we have some nice milsurps in this monthly d.ck measurement contest

 

[Parker Duofold]

Does it have a soldier tag under the butt-plate? It's so cool that some of these rifles not only have the name of the soldier it was issued to, but also their unit, where they served or even their home address!

I just got the butt plate off and there was a tag underneath with the unit number (I think), the soldier's name and hometown. At least that's what I think it says.

The wood underneath the butt plate is also stamped "K 44".

 

[JuergenG]

Bingo! Can you post a pic of the tag, please?

 

[Parker Duofold]

Bingo! Can you post a pic of the tag, please?

I just put it back under the plate!
I'll post a pic later tonight after dinner.

 

[76Too]

I just put it back under the plate!
I'll post a pic later tonight after dinner.

i put mine in a ziploc with the sling and stipper clips...i don't trust that i won't destroy the tag with all the snow/rain i shoot it in.

 

[SKS Ray]

I bought a K11 many years ago for $160 that has a tag under the butt plate. It's more accurate than any of the K31s I've owned. Out of 6 rounds I can hit the 500 yard steel at the New Bedford range at least 4 times using GP11 ammo.

 

[KMM696]

Where did you get this?

Swissproductsllc.com lists them, among other parts. I got mine about ten years ago from Switzerland, with help from some Swiss rifle fanatics on a C&R board.

Fair warning, though - I paid $275 by the time it was in my grubby left paw. I hope Swissproducts gets them cheaper than that.

 

[Parker Duofold]

K31 soldier's tag picture



Here's the tag that I found underneath the butt stock.

 

[JuergenG]

There are/were at least two men with the name Claude von Kaenel; one in Villars-sur-Ollons (S/E of Lake Geneva, Montblanc region), probably formerly of La Chaux de Fonds (Neuchatel region); the other one in Schoenenberg, canton Zurich.
The unit seems to be Artillery.

 

[Busa]

I have one converted to .308. with peep sights. Who ever did the work did a beautiful job. One of the most accurate rifles I own.

 

[Pilgrim]

I gotta figure out how to remove the NRA patch some one stuck on this one.

I have a NOS, never issued, bayo and scabbard for this too.

 

[SKS Ray]

I gotta figure out how to remove the NRA patch some one stuck on this one.

I have a NOS, never issued, bayo and scabbard for this too.

Is it a decal or glued on patch? Light heat from a hair dryer should soften up a decal and WD40 will remove any residue. If its a glued on patch, a little more heat will be needed. Hopefully whatever is underneath hasn't attacked the finish. IIRC when it comes to Swiss stocks, walnut ones were finished with raw linseed oil and beech were done with shellac.

 

[Pilgrim]

it's a sticky backed window sticker. I'll try the hairdryer technique.

 

[hrvatska1]

Just got this last week. Haven't shot it yet but have some surplus Swiss ammo and looking forward to getting to the range. Completely disassembled and cleaned. Barrel looked pretty nasty on first inspection but after an hour of cleaning it's beautiful!

I think date of manufacture is around 1943 - 45.

Simulated Swiss Alps snow included in the pics.

Beautiful rifle. Where did you buy it and how much did it run you?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[Parker Duofold]

I bought it at Collectors in Pelham NH.