1. Schmidt Rubin 1889 For Sale
  2. Schmidt Rubin Serial Numbers
  3. Schmidt-rubin Serial Numbers

Designated Dolchbajonett Mod. 1889 (Dagger Bayonet Model 1889), it was the first bayonet type made for the Schmidt-Rubin, with no rivet or ridge in the fuller. Most were later fitted with a rivet in the fuller. Unaltered early examples are scarce. According to production records, the M1889 rifle with serial number 43094 was produced in 1892.

1889 straight pull bolt rifle 7.5x55 swiss matching serial numbers 7.555mm swiss - 17137697 Buyer Tip: Seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item. If you have any questions regarding this item, you should contact the Seller before bidding. Low serial number from first year of manufacturing in 1891. Schmidt-Rubin 1889 in very good condition with 85% original finish. Stock and handguard matching serial numbers. Bolt matching serial number. Magazine matching serial number. Mild pitting in part of the bore. Furniture has some handling wear with a few rough. 7.5 X 53.5mm Model 1889 Swiss issue Schmidt Rubin service rifle.£695. 7.5 X 53.5mm Model 1889 Swiss issue Schmidt Rubin service rifle. Blued action with straight pull bolt serial numbered to the rifle. Walnut stock with finger grooves to the fore end and various Swiss military inspection marks to the butt.

Manufacture Dates of Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Rifles

Last updated: 06/25/2000

Swiss Schmidt-Rubin rifles do not have the date of manufacture stampedon any of the rifle parts, so determining when the rifle (and mismatchedparts, if any) were manufactured must be determined from the serial numbers.The definitive work on this subject, and Schmidt-Rubin rifles in general,is Die Repetiergewehre der Schweiz, Die Systeme Vetterli und Schmidt-Rubin,by Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn (ISBN 3-7276-7102-5, copyright 1991 byVerlag Stocker-Schmid AG, Dietikon-Zuerich, Schweiz), from which the tablesgiven here are adapted. The notes about the various models of Schmidt-Rubinrifles are pilfered almost verbatim from Rifles of the World, 2ndedition, by John Walter (ISBN 0-87349-202-1, copyright 1998, publishedby Krause Publications, 700 E. StateStreet, Iola, WI 54990-0001, USA). The rifle photographs are from SamcoGlobal Arms, and are used with permission.

Below is a short description of the various models of Swiss Schmidt-Rubinrifles, and then the tables that are necessary to determine when a particularrifle was manufactured (given the model and serial number).

Contents

Introduction

Schmidt rubin 1889 serial number

Eduard Rubin (1846-1920) developed the first successful small-calibercopper-jacketed bullets that could withstand velocities higher than werenormal in the 1880s. Rubin cartridges with a caliber of 8.1-9.6 mm weretested against an 8.6 mm Hebler pattern in Switzerland in 1882. The Heblercartridge, which had a paper-mache core, attained a prodigious velocitybut the Rubin pattern proved to be far more accurate.

In 1884, Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft converted 130 Vetterlirifles to fire 7.5 mm and 8 mm Rubin cartridges. Most were adapted fromobsolete infantry weapons, but a few had been trial guns of 1873-75; thesehad a distinctive bolt-support guide extending back above the wrist ofthe butt.

Also chambered for Rubin ammunition, Rudolf Schmidt's first straight-pullbolt mechanism of 1885 relied on an actuating rod, set in a channel onthe right side of the breach, to rotate the bolt through a helical channelcut in the bolt sleeve. Twin lugs were provided midway along the bolt sleeve,locking into the receiver directly above the trigger.

Model 1889

This rifle was officially adopted on June 26, 1889. Tooling had alreadybegun in the state factory, and so the first deliveries were surprisinglyspeedy. The M1889 was a most unusual design, with a characteristicallySwiss nose cap/bayonet lug/stacking rod assembly, and a receiver with anoticeable gap between the trigger guard and the magazine. The great lengthof the bolt weakened the Schmidt system greatly. Production ceased in 1897after 211,890 rifles and 40-50 drill rifles (Exerzierwaffen) had been delivered.

Model 1889 rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.

Manufactured 1891-1897 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: about 212,000

Model1889/96

The inherent weaknesses of the 1889-pattern Schmidt action were recognizedafter protracted experience with the standard 7.5 mm 1890-pattern cartridgehad been gained. As soon as attempts were made to increase the muzzle velocity,the problems intensified.

Testing of 50 modified rifles allowed the improved Vogelsang/Rebholzaction to be adopted on September 27, 1897. Though the 1889/96 rifle resembledits predecessor externally, the locking lugs had been moved to the frontof the bolt-sleeve. This strengthened the action by placing less of thesleeve under compressive stress, and reduced the gap between the triggerand the magazine by 0.4 inches.

The rifles were reclassified as the '[Infantrie-]Gewehr 89/96' in 1909;by November 1912, 127,050 service rifles and about 20 Exerzierwaffen hadbeen made.

Manufactured 1897-1912 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 127,000

Model 1897Cadet Rifle

The Kadettengewehr was adopted on July 27, 1898, after trials with gunsderived from the Mannlicher cavalry carbine and the Schmidt-system rifles.The single-shot M1897 had a special quadrant sight with differing setsof gradations for the Ordonnanzpatrone (to 1200 meters on the left side)or the reduced-charge Kadetten-Patrone (to 400 meters on the right). Inaddition to standard guns, about 40 sub-caliber trainers were also made.

Manufactured 1898-1927 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 7900

Model 1900Short Rifle

Adopted on April 9, 1901, the Kurzgewehr was based on the 1896-patternaction; apart from its length, the smaller magazine and reduced-range sight,it was similar to the M1889/96 infantry rifle.

Many surviving 1900-type guns were among the 26,340 carbines and shortrifles converted to '1911' standards by Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik in1913-1920. Accepting 7.5 mm Ordonnanz 11 cartridges, they had four-grooverifling.

Manufactured 1901-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 18,750

Model 1905Cavalry Carbine

Preceded by a handful of experimental designs - including one with afolding stock and another with a three-piece cleaning rod carried beneaththe forend - the Karabiner 05 was adopted in 1905 to replace the 1893-typeMannlicher. Stocked virtually to the muzzle, preventing the attachmentof bayonets, it had a full-length handguard and a sling-slot in the butt.

A decree signed on January 13, 1911, ordered the Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrikto modify 26,340 surviving M1900 short rifles and M1905 carbines to approximateto the 1911 pattern. The work was undertaken in Bern in 1913-1920. Theconverted guns had four-groove rifling and chambered 7.5x55 1911-type cartridges.

Manufactured 1906-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 7900

Model1896/11

In 1913, as a result of a decree signed on January 13, 1911, conversionof 1896-type rifles to approximate to the 1911 pattern began in the EidgenoessischeWaffenfabrik. By March 1, 1920, 135,770 rifles had been altered. They hadfour-groove rifling and chambered the Ordonnanz 11 cartridge.

As might be expected, this model markedly resembled the Model 1911 Rifle,some of the differences being:

  • rounded buttplate on the M96/11, flat on the M11;
  • pistol grip worked into the stock on the M96/11, integral to the stockon the M11;
  • cutouts on the bottom of the receiver for older magazines on the M96/11,none on the M11 (picture);
  • slightly differently shaped trigger guard on the M96/11 than on the M11(picture).
Model 1896/11 rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.

Model 1911

A universal increase in muzzle velocity, arising from widespread adoptionof point-bullet ammunition, caused further problems with the Swiss rifles.Trials were undertaken in 1908-10 with modified bullets and rifles embodyinga strengthened Vogelsang/Rebholz action. Apart from the tangent sight,these guns resembled their predecessors externally - though, once dismantled,three large holes were found to be bored through the bolt sleeve to reduceweight.

The perfected [Infantrie-]Gewehr 11 was formally approved on January10, 1913, together with adaptations of several earlier weapons. The newguns had a strengthened action, a hold-open to signify an empty magazine,a pistol-grip stock and an improved rear sight.

Manufactured 1913-1919 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 133,000

Model 1911Carbine

Adopted concurrently with the 1911-pattern infantry rifle in January1913, to replace the short rifle and cavalry carbine, this was readilydistinguished by its short barrel and stock. It was mechanically identicalto the rifle.

Model 1911 carbines are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.

Manufactured 1914-1933 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 184,200

Model 1931Short Rifle

By 1930, it had become clear that important changes were required inthe 1911-type Schmidt action to keep abreast of improved technology. OnJanuary 22, 1932, therefore, the Bundesrat approved the manufacture ofabout 20 experimental short rifles; the Karabiner 31 was formally adoptedon June 16, 1933.

Great changes had been made in the action which, though retaining theessence of the original Schmidt principle, locked into the receiver ringrather than behind the magazine well. In addition, the bolt did not projectas far beyond the bolt carrier, reducing the length compared with the 1896-typeaction by 2.4 inches.

The Karabiner 31 had a longer barrel than the Karabiner 11, which wasof similar overall length. An improved sight was fitted, and the semi-pistolgrip stock - with a sling bar let into the left side of the butt - wasretained by a clamping nose cap accepting any of the standard Swiss swordbayonets.

Military production finished in 1958 after more than half a millionKarabiner 31 had been made in the Bern factory. A hundred otherwise standardexamples were supplied in the 1930s to equip the elite Swiss Guard (or'Papstliche Schweizergarde') in the Vatican; these guns were apparentlynumbered 249047-249146.

Several cutaway examples of the Karabiner 31 were also manufactured.Illustrated are photographs of the topandleftside of the receiver area of one example (photographs courtesy of ThomasWenk).

Model 1931 short rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.

Manufactured 1933-1958 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 582,230

Model 1931/42and 1931/43 Sniper Rifles

Experiments had been undertaken with optically-sighted Karabiner 11as early as 1919, but the project had been shelved until trials with Karabiner31 and Zeiss, Wild, Gerber and Kern sights began in 1935 in the SchiessschuleWalenstadt.

Though the low-power Kern sight was accepted in November 1940 and ahundred experimental carbines had been manufactured in 1943, the perfectedZf.-Kar.31/42 was not approved until July 1, 1944. It had a 1.8x sight,offset on the left side of the receiver alongside the bolt. Each sighthad a small auxiliary tangent sight and a unique pivoting periscope head.

Otherwise identical to its 31/42 predecessor, the Model 31/43 had animproved 2.8x sight on the left side of the receiver.

Manufactured 1944-1946 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 2240

Model 1955Sniper Rifles

Based on the Model 1931 short rifle and featuring a top-mounted Kern3.5x sight (graduated to 800m), this rifle was adopted in 1956 to replacethe M31/42 and M31/43. The 1955-type guns had a special half-stock witha checkered pistol grip, a folding bipod and a special muzzle brake.

Manufactured 1957-59 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Total production: 4150

Bayonets

There are six basic types of sword bayonets for the Schmidt-Rubin rifles,all of which have a muzzle ring and a short, flat quillon approximately1+3/4 incles in length. There is also a rod bayonet, for which see below.Color photographs courtesy of Ronnie Wilson, and nomenclature fromBayonetsfrom Janzen's Notebook, with alternates (indicated by italics)being from Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn where they differ from Janzen.

  • Model 1889: The fullered blade is 11+5/8 inches in length, and ithas plain wooden grips. It has a tendency to slide out of the scabbard.


  • Model 1889/99 (1889/1918): Similar to the Model 1889, exceptfor a stud which was mounted in the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.


  • Model 1889/11 (1899): Also similar to the Model 1889, exceptthat a ramp was machined into the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.


  • Model 1892 (1889/92): An all steel rod bayonet manufacturedusing the blade from an old socket bayonet. It was issued to cyclists andmachine gunners.


  • Model 1906 Pioneer: A transitional sawback bayonet having a Vetterliblade and a Schmidt-Rubin handle.


  • Model 1914 Pioneer: The long, heavy sawback blade is approximately19 inches in length. The blade is fullered on the right side, and flaton the left.


  • Model 1918 - Similar to the Models 1889, 1889/99, and 1889/11 exceptthat the blade is double edged and unfullered.


Back to table of contents

ManufactureDates

To determine the date of manufacture of a particular rifle, one needsto know both the model and the serial number. Given the model, go to theappropriate table and look for the range of serial numbers that spans thegiven serial number. The corresponding date for that serial number is shownin the left column of the table.

For example, given a Model 1911 with a serial number of 2673xx, thetables show no such serial number for a Model 1911. There is a range spanningthis serial number for a Model 1889/96, however, showing a manufacturedate of 1900. Knowing that the M89/96s were converted to approximate theM1911 form, we conclude that this rifle is a Model 1889/96/11 manufacturedin 1900.

As another example, given a Model 1931 with a serial number of 9999xx,the tables indicate that this rifle was manufactured in 1953.

Model 1889 - Training Rifles (Instruktionsgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189340E1-E39 (E20 doubled)
18952E43, E45
18962E42, E44

Model 1889 - Repeating Rifles (Repetiergewehre)
Manufacture ended on April 29, 1897
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1891249001-24900
18929010024901-115000
189359100115001-174100
18948787174101-174887
175001-183000
189512500183001-195500
189612500195501-208000
18974000208001-212000

Cavalry Carbine Model 1893 (Kavalleriekarabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
18962504251-4500
18972504501-4750
18982504751-5000
18992505001-5250
19004005251-5650
19015005651-6150
19025006151-6650
19035006651-7150
19043007151-7450
19053007451-7750
1895-190596P1-P96 - Private series,
numbers P46-P84 for a commercial company, Paris
1897-190311E1-E11, extra series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

Schmidt Rubin 1889 For Sale


Model 1889/96 - Training Rifles (Instruktionsgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
18972E2-E3
18994E4-E7
19004E8-E11
19044E12-E15
19084E16-E19

Model 1889/96 - Repeating Rifles (Repetiergewehre)
Manufacture ended in November 1912
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1895501-50
18979000212001-221000
189815500221001-236500
189915500236501-252000
190016500252001-268500
190111500268501-280000
190212000280001-292000
190310000292001-302000
19048000302001-310000
19056000310001-316000
19066000316001-322000
19075000322001-327000
19085000327001-332000
19094800332001-336800
19106300336801-343100
19111900343101-345000
19124000345001-349000

Model 1897 Cadet Rifles (Kadettengewehre)
Sub-caliber Trainers (per J. Walter) (Einsatzgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189918E1-E18
19006E19-E24
19019E25-E33
19023E34-E36 (P9+P34?)
19032E37-E38
19041E39
19071E40 (P40)

Model 1897 Cadet Rifles (Kadettengewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189821001-2100
189916492101-3749
190015803750-5329
19014995330-5828
19021935829-6021
19032326022-6253
19041516254-6404
19051146405-6518
19061836519-6701
19071506702-6851
1908826852-6933
1909376934-6970
19102366971-7206
1911997207-7305
19121157306-7420
191423115001-15231
19153315232-15264
19167015265-15334
1918215335-15336
19242615337-15362
19252015363-15382
19268015383-15462
19271515463-15477
1898-191945P1-P45, Private series
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

Model 1889/1900 Short Rifles (Kurze Gewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
190150001-5000
19028855001-5885
19039155886-6800
190410006801-7800
190515007801-9300
190615009301-10800
1907175010801-12550
1908175012551-14300
1909165014301-15950
1910150015951-17450
1911130017451-18750
?176P1-P176 [sic], Private series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
1903 Zoll89P72-P150
1904 Zoll300P173-P472
?50P501-P550
Zoll394P551-P944
Zoll190P951-P1140
Zoll103P1141-P1243

Note:
Zoll - Customs service

Model 1905 Cavalry Carbines (Kavalleriekarabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19068101-810
19072790811-3600
190826003601-6200
19095006201-6700
19106006701-7300
19116007301-7900
1906-191439P1-P39, Private series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

Model 1896/11 Infantry Rifles (Infanteriegewehre)
These rifles carry the serial numbers of the Model 1896 rifles fromwhich they were modified
YearQuantity
19125000
191340000
191451000
191538000
19161500
1918200
191950
192020

Model 1911 Infantry Rifles (Infanteriegewehre)
Manufacture ended on October 1, 1919
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19126000355001-361000
191314000349001-355000
361001-369000
19145000369001-374000
191522000374001-396000
191632000396001-428000
191731000428001-459000
191820000459001-479000
19193000479001-482000
?200P5000-P5200, Private series,
last manufactured on October 10, 1919,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
?1P5219
?698P5251-P5948

Model 1911 Carbines (Karabiner)
Manufacture ended on July 11, 1933
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1914600030001-36000
1915400036001-40000
19161300040001-53000
19171610053001-54400
55001-62000*
62301-70000**
19181900070001-89000
1919200089001-91000
1920650091001-97500
1921850097501-106000
19227500106001-113500
19237900113501-121400
19247600121401-129000
19257500129001-136500
19269900136501-146400
192712600146401-159000
192811500159001-170500
192912800170501-183300
19309900183301-193200
19318800193201-202000
19329200202001-211200
19333900211201-215100
1913-1919300P2001-P2300, Private series
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
Zoll18P2013-2030
Zoll8P2037-P2044
Zoll30P2071-P2100
Zoll100P2101-P2200
without entries4P2201-P2204
?19P2205-P2223
Zoll50P2251-P2300

Notes:
Zoll - Customs service
* Serial numbers 54401-55000 and 62001-62300 are missing (900 pieces)
** Serial numbers 69701-69750 have double entries, but are only enteredonce in this list. Consequently, the total of the Model 1911 Carbines listedhere comes to 185150 pieces.

Special Model 1911 Rifles (Extra-Gewehre)
YearWhoSerial numbers
1915Kriegstechnische Abteilung, Bern -E500
1914Koenigliche Gewehrpruefungskommission, Ruheleben-Spandau -
Spanische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
E501
E502
1919Emile Galley, Lausanne -E503
1920Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Englische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
E504
E505
1915Eidgenpessiosches Militaerdepartement, Bern -E506-E507
1917Sektion fuer Munition, Thun -E508
1918Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern -E509
1919Franzoesische Gesandtschaft, Bern -E510
1920Franzoesische Kriegsministerium, Paris -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
E511-E520
E521-E522
1921Italienische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Italienischer Militaerattache, Bern -
Flugplatzdirektion, Duebendorf -
Sektion fuer Schiessversuche, Thun -
E523
E524
E525
E526-E527
1922Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun -
Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun -
Internationales Wettschiessen, Mailand -
The High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, London -
E525?
E528-E529
E530
E531
1923Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris -E532
1924Eidgenoessisches Schuetzenfest, Aarau -
KTA, fuer Schweden -
KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei -
E533-E534
E535
E536
1925KTA, fuer Waffenfabrik Oviedo -
KTA, Bern -
Schiessschule Walenstadt -
E537
E538-E539
E540-E541
1926Afghanische Regierung (mit Dolch 18) -
KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei -
E542
E543
1934J. Alder W+F, Bern -E544

Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
W+F - Waffenfabrik

Special Model 1911 Carbines (Extra-Karabiner)
YearWhoSerial numbers
1918Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, BernE1
1919Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, BernE2
1920Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
E3
E5
E6
1921Direktion Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, BernE7
1923Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, ParisE4
1926Afghanische RegierungE8
1932Wojskorny Zaklad, Warschau -
Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, Oerlikon -
E9
E10
1952unreadableE11

Model 1911 Carbines (Karabiner)
Converted from Model 1889/1900 Short Rifles and Model 1905 CavalryCarbines
YearQuantitySerial numbers
191310001-1000
191480001001-9000
191580009001-17000
1916820017001-25200
191790025201-26100
191810026101-26200
19197026201-26270
19206526271-26335

Model 1911 Trials Carbines (Versuchs-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1923KTA, BernV1-V10
1926KTA, fuer Schiessschule WalenstadtV1-V200

Note: KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements

Model 1931 Carbines (Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19331193520010-521202
193415534521203-536736
193513664536737-550400
193611326550401-561727
193711639561728-573366
193810344573367-583700
193915300583701-599000
194033575599001-632575
194154150632576-686725
194249350686726-736075
194350475736076-786550
194451900786551-838450
194526200838451-864650
194615600864651-880250
194720950880251-901200
194820100901201-921300
194915500921301-936800
195013200936801-950000
195123050950001-973050
195221400973051-994450
19535549
7450
994451-999999
215001-222450
195417150222451-239600
195511250239601-250850
19566400250851-257250
19572950257251-260200
19583130260201-263330

Schmidt Rubin Serial Numbers

Model 1931 Carbines - Private series
YearQuantitySerial numbers
193416?
1935500400001-400500
1936100 Zoll401001-401100
1937150 Zoll
200
401101-401250
400501-400700
1938150400701-400850
193920401501-401520
1940150
530
50
50
400851-401000
401521-402050
402151-402220
402251-402300
1941300402301-402600
1942650402501[sic]-403150[sic]
1943350403151-403500
1944400403501-403900
1945600403901-404500
1946837404501-405337
1947929
30
405322[sic]-406250
E519767-E519796
1948400406251-406650
1949650406651-407300
1950400
50
407301-407700
408001-408050
1951300
50
407701-408000
408051-408100
1952300408101-408400
1953450
50
408401-408850
409051-409100
1954200
100
408851-409050
409101-409200
1955450
100
409201-409650
410151-410250
1956450409651-410100
195750
300
410101-410150
410251-410550
1958475410551-411025
1959425411026-411450
1960300411451-411750
1961300411751-412050
1962400412051-412450
196350
400
267331-267380
412451-412850
1968-1969150various numbers
1971150
50
269431-269580
269881-269930
Stand (?) 1972250various numbers

Note:
Zoll - Customs service

Model 1931 serial number allocation, valid after November 1,1952
Serial numbersAllocation
215001-350000K31 Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV
350001-400000K31 Carbine series
P400001-P450000Private K31 Carbine series
450001-500000K31 Carbines with telescopic sights (sniper versions)
500001-500200Trials versions
E519701-E519900Various special K31s
519901-519999Cutaway K31s (running backwards?), last number 519970
520001-520150Carbine series ordered by KTA, delivered by W+F for special purposes
520081-520100Ditto, reserved for W+F
520151-999999Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV
after 550651Hardened magazine boxes
after 540001Hardened receivers

Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
KMV - Kriegsmaterialverwaltung
W+F - Waffenfabrik

Models 1931/42 and 1931/43 Sniper Rifles (Zielfernrohr-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
194396?
1944403?
19451537?
1946205?

Schmidt-rubin Serial Numbers

Model 1955 Sniper Rifles (Zielfernrohr-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19571701001-1170
195830301171-4200
19598004201-5000
?1505001-5150
Comments? Questions? Mail me at bbrown@radix.net

Date di produzione Schmidt Rubin

Model 1889 - Training Rifles (Instruktionsgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189340E1-E39 (E20 doubled)
18952E43, E45
18962E42, E44

Model 1889 - Repeating Rifles (Repetiergewehre)
Manufacture ended on April 29, 1897
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1891249001-24900
18929010024901-115000
189359100115001-174100
18948787174101-174887
175001-183000
189512500183001-195500
189612500195501-208000
18974000208001-212000

Cavalry Carbine Model 1893 (Kavalleriekarabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers (*)
18962504251-4500
18972504501-4750
18982504751-5000
18992505001-5250
19004005251-5650
19015005651-6150
19025006151-6650
19035006651-7150
19043007151-7450
19053007451-7750
1895-190596P1-P96 - Private series,
numbers P46-P84 for a commercial company, Paris
1897-190311E1-E11, extra series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

(*) I numeri di matricola qui indicati sono riferiti esclusivamente alle armi prodotte presso l'Arsenale di Berna. Non appaiono qui le carabine Modello 1893 con numero matricola fino a 4250, che furono prodotte presso la SIG di Neuhausen.

Model 1889/96 - Training Rifles (Instruktionsgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
18972E2-E3
18994E4-E7
19004E8-E11
19044E12-E15
19084E16-E19

Model 1889/96 - Repeating Rifles (Repetiergewehre)
Manufacture ended in November 1912
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1895501-50
18979000212001-221000
189815500221001-236500
189915500236501-252000
190016500252001-268500
190111500268501-280000
190212000280001-292000
190310000292001-302000
19048000302001-310000
19056000310001-316000
19066000316001-322000
19075000322001-327000
19085000327001-332000
19094800332001-336800
19106300336801-343100
19111900343101-345000
19124000345001-349000

Model 1897 Cadet Rifles (Kadettengewehre)
Sub-caliber Trainers (per J. Walter) (Einsatzgewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189918E1-E18
19006E19-E24
19019E25-E33
19023E34-E36 (P9+P34?)
19032E37-E38
19041E39
19071E40 (P40)

Model 1897 Cadet Rifles (Kadettengewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
189821001-2100
189916492101-3749
190015803750-5329
19014995330-5828
19021935829-6021
19032326022-6253
19041516254-6404
19051146405-6518
19061836519-6701
19071506702-6851
1908826852-6933
1909376934-6970
19102366971-7206
1911997207-7305
19121157306-7420
191423115001-15231
19153315232-15264
19167015265-15334
1918215335-15336
19242615337-15362
19252015363-15382
19268015383-15462
19271515463-15477
1898-191945P1-P45, Private series
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

Model 1889/1900 Short Rifles (Kurze Gewehre)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
190150001-5000
19028855001-5885
19039155886-6800
190410006801-7800
190515007801-9300
190615009301-10800
1907175010801-12550
1908175012551-14300
1909165014301-15950
1910150015951-17450
1911130017451-18750
?176P1-P176 [sic], Private series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
1903 Zoll89P72-P150
1904 Zoll300P173-P472
?50P501-P550
Zoll394P551-P944
Zoll190P951-P1140
Zoll103P1141-P1243

Note:
Zoll - Customs service

Model 1905 Cavalry Carbines (Kavalleriekarabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19068101-810
19072790811-3600
190826003601-6200
19095006201-6700
19106006701-7300
19116007301-7900
1906-191439P1-P39, Private series,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern

Model 1896/11 Infantry Rifles (Infanteriegewehre)
These rifles carry the serial numbers of the Model 1896 rifles from which they were modified
YearQuantity
19125000
191340000
191451000
191538000
19161500
1918200
191950
192020

Model 1911 Infantry Rifles (Infanteriegewehre)
Manufacture ended on October 1, 1919
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19126000355001-361000
191314000349001-355000
361001-369000
19145000369001-374000
191522000374001-396000
191632000396001-428000
191731000428001-459000
191820000459001-479000
19193000479001-482000
?200P5000-P5200, Private series,
last manufactured on October 10, 1919,
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
?1P5219
?698P5251-P5948

Model 1911 Carbines (Karabiner)
Manufacture ended on July 11, 1933
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1914600030001-36000
1915400036001-40000
19161300040001-53000
19171610053001-54400
55001-62000*
62301-70000**
19181900070001-89000
1919200089001-91000
1920650091001-97500
1921850097501-106000
19227500106001-113500
19237900113501-121400
19247600121401-129000
19257500129001-136500
19269900136501-146400
192712600146401-159000
192811500159001-170500
192912800170501-183300
19309900183301-193200
19318800193201-202000
19329200202001-211200
19333900211201-215100
1913-1919300P2001-P2300, Private series
entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern
Zoll18P2013-2030
Zoll8P2037-P2044
Zoll30P2071-P2100
Zoll100P2101-P2200
without entries4P2201-P2204
?19P2205-P2223
Zoll50P2251-P2300

Notes:
Zoll - Customs service
* Serial numbers 54401-55000 and 62001-62300 are missing (900 pieces)
** Serial numbers 69701-69750 have double entries, but are only entered once in this list. Consequently, the total of the Model 1911 Carbines listed here comes to 185150 pieces.

Special Model 1911 Rifles (Extra-Gewehre)
YearWhoSerial numbers
1915Kriegstechnische Abteilung, Bern -E500
1914Koenigliche Gewehrpruefungskommission, Ruheleben-Spandau -
Spanische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
E501
E502
1919Emile Galley, Lausanne -E503
1920Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Englische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
E504
E505
1915Eidgenpessiosches Militaerdepartement, Bern -E506-E507
1917Sektion fuer Munition, Thun -E508
1918Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern -E509
1919Franzoesische Gesandtschaft, Bern -E510
1920Franzoesische Kriegsministerium, Paris -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
E511-E520
E521-E522
1921Italienische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Italienischer Militaerattache, Bern -
Flugplatzdirektion, Duebendorf -
Sektion fuer Schiessversuche, Thun -
E523
E524
E525
E526-E527
1922Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun -
Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun -
Internationales Wettschiessen, Mailand -
The High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, London -
E525?
E528-E529
E530
E531
1923Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris -E532
1924Eidgenoessisches Schuetzenfest, Aarau -
KTA, fuer Schweden -
KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei -
E533-E534
E535
E536
1925KTA, fuer Waffenfabrik Oviedo -
KTA, Bern -
Schiessschule Walenstadt -
E537
E538-E539
E540-E541
1926Afghanische Regierung (mit Dolch 18) -
KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei -
E542
E543
1934J. Alder W+F, Bern -E544

Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
W+F - Waffenfabrik

Special Model 1911 Carbines (Extra-Karabiner)
YearWhoSerial numbers
1918Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, BernE1
1919Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, BernE2
1920Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires -
E3
E5
E6
1921Direktion Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, BernE7
1923Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, ParisE4
1926Afghanische RegierungE8
1932Wojskorny Zaklad, Warschau -
Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, Oerlikon -
E9
E10
1952unreadableE11

Model 1911 Carbines (Karabiner)
Converted from Model 1889/1900 Short Rifles and Model 1905 Cavalry Carbines
YearQuantitySerial numbers
191310001-1000
191480001001-9000
191580009001-17000
1916820017001-25200
191790025201-26100
191810026101-26200
19197026201-26270
19206526271-26335

Model 1911 Trials Carbines (Versuchs-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
1923KTA, BernV1-V10
1926KTA, fuer Schiessschule WalenstadtV1-V200

Note: KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements

Model 1931 Carbines (Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19331193520010-521202
193415534521203-536736
193513664536737-550400
193611326550401-561727
193711639561728-573366
193810344573367-583700
193915300583701-599000
194033575599001-632575
194154150632576-686725
194249350686726-736075
194350475736076-786550
194451900786551-838450
194526200838451-864650
194615600864651-880250
194720950880251-901200
194820100901201-921300
194915500921301-936800
195013200936801-950000
195123050950001-973050
195221400973051-994450
19535549
7450
994451-999999
215001-222450
195417150222451-239600
195511250239601-250850
19566400250851-257250
19572950257251-260200
19583130260201-263330

Model 1931 Carbines - Private series
YearQuantitySerial numbers
193416?
1935500400001-400500
1936100 Zoll401001-401100
1937150 Zoll
200
401101-401250
400501-400700
1938150400701-400850
193920401501-401520
1940150
530
50
50
400851-401000
401521-402050
402151-402220
402251-402300
1941300402301-402600
1942650402501[sic]-403150[sic]
1943350403151-403500
1944400403501-403900
1945600403901-404500
1946837404501-405337
1947929
30
405322[sic]-406250
E519767-E519796
1948400406251-406650
1949650406651-407300
1950400
50
407301-407700
408001-408050
1951300
50
407701-408000
408051-408100
1952300408101-408400
1953450
50
408401-408850
409051-409100
1954200
100
408851-409050
409101-409200
1955450
100
409201-409650
410151-410250
1956450409651-410100
195750
300
410101-410150
410251-410550
1958475410551-411025
1959425411026-411450
1960300411451-411750
1961300411751-412050
1962400412051-412450
196350
400
267331-267380
412451-412850
1968-1969150various numbers
1971150
50
269431-269580
269881-269930
Stand (?) 1972250various numbers

Note:
Zoll - Customs service

Model 1931 serial number allocation, valid after November 1, 1952
Serial numbersAllocation
215001-350000K31 Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV
350001-400000K31 Carbine series
P400001-P450000Private K31 Carbine series
450001-500000K31 Carbines with telescopic sights (sniper versions)
500001-500200Trials versions
E519701-E519900Various special K31s
519901-519999Cutaway K31s (running backwards?), last number 519970
520001-520150Carbine series ordered by KTA, delivered by W+F for special purposes
520081-520100Ditto, reserved for W+F
520151-999999Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV
after 550651Hardened magazine boxes
after 540001Hardened receivers

Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
KMV - Kriegsmaterialverwaltung
W+F - Waffenfabrik

Models 1931/42 and 1931/43 Sniper Rifles (Zielfernrohr-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
194396?
1944403?
19451537?
1946205?

Model 1955 Sniper Rifles (Zielfernrohr-Karabiner)
YearQuantitySerial numbers
19571701001-1170
195830301171-4200
19598004201-5000
?1505001-5150