Swiss 96/11. That's 1896/1911. This particular rifle began it's life in 1903 as a Swiss 89/96. After 1911 they began to modernize those rifles to shoot the newer GP11 cartridge that was now being used in the Swiss G11 and K11. So at sometime between 1911 and 1918 this rifle had the pistol grip morticed into the stock, the rear sight changed, the barrel swapped, and the magazine well modified to accept the different magazine.
This rifle had a troop tag under the butt plate which was filled out by the Swiss solder it was issued to and contained, his name, unit, year of birth, and address. My tag indicates a solder born in 1900. I suspect that this rifle was issued to only to him for his whole life. Here's why I came up with this theory. Swiss citizens can serve until age 60 in a reserve capacity. Coincidentally this rifle was privatised (Given to a private citizen) in 1960 when he would've been 60. At some time later this rifle was brought back to the Swiss government and sold into the surplus market.
The Swiss armorers would stamp the serial number on the bayonet frequently but not always when the bayonet was issued with the rifle. This particular rifle came with a serial numbered bayonet that matches the rifle.
Now I just have to get it to the range.
Dave
