Schmidt Rubin
Model 1889/96
7.5 x 53.5mm
Serial No: 368

Very Rare Model 1889/96 Rifle - Obsolete Calibre.
£SOLD

+++ History +++
Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889

Officially adopted in 1889, the Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889 was the result of several years of testing.
In 1882 Eduard Rubin began testing the first small-caliber copper-jacketed bullet which could successfully withstand high velocities.

In 1885, this round was combined with Rudolf Schmidt's first straight-pull action.

The straight-pull action relied upon an actuating rod, set in a channel to the right of the breech, to rotate the bolt though a
helical channel cut in the bolt sleeve. Twin locking lugs were positioned midway through the bolt sleeve, locking the bolt into the receiver
directly above the trigger.

Over the next three years both the rifle design and cartridge were refined. The final result was adopted on June 26, 1889.
The Model 1889 was chambered for the 7.5x53.5 round (GP90) with a 213 grain paper patched round producing
a velocity of 1935fps. The cartridges were held in a detachable magazine holding 12 rounds.
Production ceased in 1897, with approximately 211,890 rifles being produced.

Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889/96

Even before the Model 1889 entered service, the Swiss Rifle Technical Commission had reservations about the strength of the Model 1889s action.
In 1888 they requested Col. Schmidt to redesign the Model 1889 action by moving the locking lugs forward on the bolt sleeve.
However, Colonel Rudolph Schmidt, then the Director of Armament Manufacturing,
refused the request, claiming such a change was “not feasible.

As the Model 1889 entered service, the Rifle Commissions fears were realized, it became apparent the rear mounted locking lugs of the Model 1889 were problematic. On November 3, 1892, Col. Vogelsang was assigned the task of designing three rifles with improved actions.
Col. Vogelsang’s, along with the assistance of his co-worker Rebholz, designs were developed to move the locking lugs from the rear of the bolt sleeve to the front of the bolt sleeve. These changes weren’t quite simple becasue it required a redesign of the bolt (including the bolt sleeve, firing pin and firing pin spring), receiver, and the stock.

It was determined that it would be impractical to attempt to convert the existing Model 1889s to the new action type, thus a new rifle model was required.
Thus on July 31, 1896, a new rifle, designated the Model 1889/96 was approved for service.

Capacity - 12 round detachable box magazine
Sights - Quadrant sight graduated to 2000m
Total Production : 137,050

This is an excellent example of the Very Rare Model 1889/96 Rifle

Serial Number P368
Has lead seals attached to the front sling swivel with 1912 &1913 dates

Nearly all of the 1889/96 were converted into Model 1896/11 in the 1910s. Of the 137,000 89/96s produced, only 1,280 remained in their original configuration.
The survival rate of the 1889/96 Rifles is very low

Comes complete with its original leather sling & muzzle cap

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