Schmidt-Rubin is an umbrella term used to refer to a family of various rifles designed by Rudolf Schmidt and Eduard Rubin and later refined by a Col. Vogelsang, a Mr. Rebholz and Adolf Furrer. Rifles of this family were produced from 1889 to 1933 at Waffenfabrik Bern, spawning a number of derivatives along the way.
The Schmidt-Rubin rifles combined Rudolf Schmidt's straight-pull bolt action with Eduard Rubin's cartridge design. The rifles were introduced in 1889 to replace the older Vetterli rifles; the rifles and its derivatives were used in service until 1958 when they were retired and replaced with SIG SG 510s.
Design Details[]
The Schmidt-Rubin series of rifles were straight-pull bolt-action rifles with an action designed by Rudolf Schmidt. The straight pull action was highly advantageous compared to a normal bolt action, as it allowed its user to cock the striker, unlock the action and chamber a new round in one fluid rearward motion.
The rifles had a highly distinctive ring-shaped cocking piece which was part of the bolt action. This cocking piece served two functions: not only did it act as the striker, but it also acted as a safety. By turning the cocking piece to the side after pulling it out, the weapon would be rendered safe.[1]
As the rifle is a straight-pull rifle, there is no need to rotate the bolt to lock it. As the locking sleeves rotate, the locking lugs exit the locking lug slots in the receiver and stop rotating at the entrance of the locking lug guide grooves which run along the length of the inside of the receiver; the bolt is, in this position, unlocked and can be pulled rearwards up to the bolt stop, while the extractor pulls out an empty case. The case is ejected at the point where it hits the ejector.
As the bolt is pushed forward, the locking sleeve turns slightly as guided by the angled surfaces on the locking lugs; this same movement frees the cam follower pin from the aft pocket in the helical slot in the locking sleeve, with the lip of the trigger sear restraining the cocking piece sear. The firing pin spring is remains compressed in this fashion. As the cam follower place is pushed further forward, the cam follower pin, guided by the helical slot in the locking sleeve, turns the locking sleeve. The locking lugs then turn into the locking lug slots in the receiver and the bolt is then considered locked. A bolt not locked completely is said to expose the shooter to the risk of accident and can also possibly damage the weapon's cam follower pin.[2]
The rifles are fed through detachable box magazines, although these are usually fed using stripper clips as additional box magazines were usually unavailable on the field. Early versions of the rifles used 12-round box magazines; later versions used smaller 6-round magazines.
Ammunition[]
The rifles used 7.5Ć53.5mm Swiss, 7.5Ć54.5mm Swiss or 7.5Ć55mm Swiss ammunition depending on the variant.
First variant of the Schmidt-Rubin as originally designed by Rudolf Schmidt. Originally designed in 1885, the design of the rifle was refined over three years until it was adopted in 1889. These were fitted with 12-round detachable box magazines. When originally introduced, the Swiss Rifle Technical Commission had some reservations regarding the strength of the weapon's action, and asked Col. Schmidt to slightly redesign it; Schmidt refused, claiming that such a change was not feasible. 211,890 were produced.[3]
After the Swiss Rifle Technical Commission's fears regarding the strength of the action were realized, the commission tasked a Colonel Vogelsang to redesign the weapon's action. Along with one of his assistants, a Mr. Rebholz, the duo moved the locking lugs from the rear of the bolt to the front. The rifle is easily mistaken for a Model 1889 at first glance, but features a slightly shorter receiver and the strengthened Vogelsang-Rebholz action.[4] The vast majority of the rifles were converted to Model 1896/11s during the 1910s. 137,050 were produced; when the rifles were converted to Model 1896/11s, only 1,280 remained unmodified.[3]
A later version of the Schmidt-Rubin with various minor detail improvements, such as the removal of the magazine cutoff, improved sights, new barrels and a new pistol grip stock. Featured a bolt where the locking lugs were moved to the center as opposed to the front. Chambered for the 7.5Ć55mm Swiss cartridge. 127,000 were produced. Production began in 1913 when the rifle was adopted and ended in 1919.[3]
A detail improvement of the Model 1889/1896 featuring all of the above improvements. The rifles were converted from Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889/96s by attaching new barrels, grafting pistol grips into the stocks and fitted with new six-round magazines as they were rechambered for the 7.5Ć55mm Swiss cartridge. 135,770 were produced. Very similar in appearance to the Model 1911 but is slightly shorter and features a serial number less than 350,000.[3]
Carbine version of the 1889/96 intended to arm rearward troops to replace the old and unsuccessful Swiss Mannlicher M1893 carbines. First issued in 1900, the carbines were issued to bicycle troops, balloon corps, fortress troops and artillerymen just to name a few. Designated as a "short rifle". 18,750 were produced from 1900 to 1911.[3] Most were converted to Model 1900/11 carbines and rifles in their original configuration are uncommon.[5]
Second carbine version of the 1889/96 intended to arm rearward troops to replace the old and unsuccessful Swiss Mannlicher M1893 carbines. First issued in 1905, the rifles are very similar in concept to the Model 1889/1900, except that they are fully stocked to the muzzle and feature no provisions for a bayonet. Designated as a "cavalry carbine" 7,900 were produced between 1905 and 1911.[3] Most were converted to Model 1900/11 carbines and rifles in their original configuration are uncommon.[5]
A later carbine version of the Schmidt-Rubin. Essentially a carbine version of the Model 1911 rifle. Produced concurrently with the Model 1911 rifle.[5] Production lasted until 1933. 185,150 were produced.[3] This was the last of the rifles with the Vogelsang-Rebholz improvements.
Later carbine version of the Schmidt-Rubin. Converted from Model 1889/1900 short rifles and Model 1905 cavalry carbines into a Model 1911 standard. Very similar in appearance to the Model 1911 carbine but features a slightly different magazine well and different serial numbers.[5]
Heavily improved version of the Schmidt-Rubin platform with a significantly shorter receiver and bolt and stronger locking action.[5] As Schmidt was no longer alive at the time of creation the project was overseen by the then-director of W+F Bern Adolf Furrer. Adopted in 1933 and used all the way up until 1958. Renowned for its accuracy and reliability. 528,318 were produced over all variants.
Accurized version of the Model 1931 featuring a Kern 1.8Ć optic attached to the left of the rifle.[5] Fitted with standard barrel and blade front sights.[6] Optic is noted to work very similarly to that of a periscope.[5]
Accurized version of the Model 1931; noted to be very similar to the Model 1931/42 but features a Kern 2.8Ć optic attached to the left of the rifle as opposed to a 1.8Ć optic.[5] Fitted with standard barrel and blade front sights.[7] Optic is noted to work very similarly to that of a periscope.[5]
Purpose-built sniper rifle version of the Schmidt-Rubin family fitted with a Kern 3.5Ć optic.[5] Despite having the outward appearance of a Model 1931, both rifles share only four interchangeable parts: the cocking piece, firing pin, firing pin spring and the extractor.[3] 4,150 produced.
Single-shot version of the Schmidt-Rubin intended to be issued to cadets for training purposes. Replaced the Vetterli M1870 cadet rifles which were found to be in short supply. Sights have two sets of gradations to accommodate a specialized reduced-load cadet round and the standard 7.5mm Swiss round. 7,987 were produced.[3]
.22 LR training versions of the Schmidt-Rubin appear to have been made, generally converted from Model 1911[8] or Model 1889 rifles.[9] Some Model 1897s may have been converted to use the smaller cartridge as well.[10]
