Swiss K11 Carbine Find

[Discogodfather]

A local FFL called me in to take a look at what he called a K31 but as I quickly found out was a K11 carbine from 1920 according to the SN#. It's very nice shape so I am going to pick it up. I noticed the serial # has a P stamped above it, and when I search for Private series of this rifle I see different numbers and different conventions, such as the "P" appear before the serial from private rifles and the P appearing with a two digit date (the year) for military rifles granted to soldiers upon retirement.

What give with this one?

[Go Navy]

You are fortunate to have an FFL who calls you about something you might be interested in. I've often wondered why more FFLs don't maintain a call list when a customer states something he is looking for. Yes, I know it is a lot of trouble etc. But it seems like a good idea. I won't hold my breath.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I cannot speak intelligently to the specific P marking but the rifle looks good. I own a K11 and it is a great rifle. In the current market, the recent influx of GP11 has driven Swiss rifle prices up. I would check the stock out thoroughly because there aren't really any spare Swiss stocks out there. The Bakelite charging handles are often beat up or cracked, but there are repro replacements out there.

And the troop tag...everyone loves troop tags...

[Latigo]

K11's were never manufactured as a Private Series, so your "P" means the last soldier took it with him when he mustered out.

[1bulletBarney]

I cannot speak intelligently to the specific P marking but the rifle looks good. I own a K11 and it is a great rifle. In the current market, the recent influx of GP11 has driven Swiss rifle prices up. I would check the stock out thoroughly because there aren't really any spare Swiss stocks out there. The Bakelite charging handles are often beat up or cracked, but there are repro replacements out there.

And the troop tag...everyone loves troop tags...

On my K11, the top screw that hold the buttplate to the stock is worn to the point where a screwdriver will not get a bite on the slot. Trust me when I say I have tried everything I know to get this screw loose. I will not try to open up the slot with a dremel or drill out the screw. I am unwilling to take a chance and bugger things up so I have to live the unknown...

[Latigo]

Drill it out. Those screws are available.
Drill it just deep enough to use a screw extractor.
P

[I Swan]

You are fortunate to have an FFL who calls you about something you might be interested in. I've often wondered why more FFLs don't maintain a call list when a customer states something he is looking for. Yes, I know it is a lot of trouble etc. But it seems like a good idea. I won't hold my breath.

I've had FFL's do innumerable favors for me I've even been to their homes but the only thing I have always struggled with is having them call me when stuff comes in only like 1 has in rare occasion.

[1bulletBarney]

Drill it out. Those screws are available.
Drill it just deep enough to use a screw extractor.
P

Hey Pierre, I just did a google search and Numrich has the K11 screws listed but they are out of stock. Do you know where I can find some? I looked at the buttplate screws on my K31 and the screws look the same as the buttplate screws on the K11, are they the same???

It so happens I know where I can get some extra K31 buttplate screws...

[Latigo]

Memory's not too good anymore, but when it's daylight here, I'll go out to the armoury and check. I may even have some spares.
Later

P

[Discogodfather]

Put her in jail today, she will go will with my full length M1911. Sadly, no troop tag. I am 0/6 with troop tags in my Swiss career, bummer!

It's an all matching 1920 rifle with a "P" mark. Wood is very nice, and bluing is very good too. Bore is crisp, muzzle is good too, better than my 1921 made M1911.

I really like the K11 more than the K31. Slim, sleak, and sexy. Not that I would throw the K31 out of the bed.

Should the rear sight match in numbering on Swiss rifles?

[Freedom_shooter]

Very nice K11

[Enfield47]

Congrats Disco, that's a nice looking K11.