Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles 1869 to 1958

by Joe Poyer

Vetterli and Schmidt-Rubin Rifles and Carbines

In 1869, the Swiss government adopted the world's first successful magazine loading rifle for their army. In the latter half of the 19th Century, Prussia was the military power to be feared and the Swiss, living right next door, were determined to guarantee the integrity of their borders.

The Vetterli refle was a clever Swiss design that combined the spring-loaded magazine tube and cartridge elevator of the Winchester Model 1866 and the bolt action of the Dreyse needle-fire rifle. It provided the Swiss infantryman with eleven shots as fast as he could work the bolt.

By the end of the 1880s, the Vetterli had been made obsolete by the march of technology. A new rifle design using a straight pull system was developed. The Model 1889 underwent major redesigns ending in the K-31, one of the finest, most accurate bolt action infantry rifles ever developed. The promise of the magazine loading rifle was fulfilled: the Swiss were able to avoid invasion and involvement in two world wars and one cold one.

Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles, 1869 to 1958 by Joe Poyer is the newest book in the "For Collectors Only" series. It describes, on a part-by-part basis, all the models of both the Vetterli and Schmidt-Rubin rifles including infantry rifles, short (Stutzer) rifles, carbines and cadet models. All markings and codes are explained and tied to models and serial number ranges. Also included are exploded views, ammunition details, assemble/disassembly instructions, maintenance and trouble shooting.

The Swiss rifles are not only extremely accurate and a great deal of fun to shoot, but their wide range of variations makes them a great collectible.

*Swiss Magazine Loading Rifles 1869 to 1958 by Joe Poyer