Gun Review: Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11 rifle in 7.5x55mm

By Hanson Hovell Holladay

The Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11’s six round magazine with an intimidating Swiss 7.5x55mm round. (Photo: Hanson Hovell Holladay)
With the exception of the M1 Garand carried by United States troops in the Second World War, during both World Wars the standard issue rifles for the feuding nations were bolt actions. Despite their neutrality, Switzerland was in possession of what surely was the most accurate of all these rifles: the Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11.
Designed to fire the intimidating 7.5x55mm cartridge down a 30 inch barrel, the Model 96/11 was, and remains, well beyond exceptionally accurate. Measuring over four feet, the Swiss rifle surpasses the length of other standard issue rifles from the era, even the Mosin-Nagant.
A long service rifle for the era, the overall length for the Model 96/11 is 51.25 inches. (Photo: Hanson Hovell Holladay)
Yet, one of the “gems” of this particular rifle can often be found not on the barrel but beneath the metal butt plate, held in place against the stock by two flathead screws. It was very common for the serviceman issued the rifle to remove the plate and place inside a slip of paper, which had written upon it his name and a series of identifying numbers. It

Source: Guns.com