K31 question

[Tonymin]

So I want one...
I see them for sale from the 30's, 40's and 50's. I prefer the war years for my collection. I know the Swiss didn't fight...
Are any years more desirable than others? It seems the ones from the 30's cost a little more.
Thanks

[glennsche]

not really.

the wartime issues ones tend to be beat up pretty badly; the way the swiss soldiers wore them tended to give the stock a "beaver chewed" look. while the swiss didnt fight, they did mobilize, so the k31s made prior to 1945 probably were part of the mobilization and got used.

the later 40s and 50s ones, obviously, saw far less use and generally speaking are in much better shape cosmetically.

[Armistice]

Glennsche, what causes the chewed up stock. What rubbed on it?

[Tonymin]

Snow cleats

[glennsche]

Glennsche, what causes the chewed up stock. What rubbed on it?

how they were slung under the rest of the kit:

[TKM]

Mountains covered with ice and snow and Swiss nailed boots.

http://www.chesslerbooks.com/item/1110-swiss-nailed-boots.asp

Add crampons on occasion.

https://www.google.com/search?q=swiss+military+mountain+boots+crampons&client=firefox-a&hs=Jz0&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=nts&biw=1089&bih=553&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=wA-CVI-oPM6tyAT7xoDYBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1.5#rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=nts&tbm=isch&q=swiss+military+crampons&imgdii=_

The buttstock tends to get beavered where the boots and ice make contact.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

If you browse the vast numbers of K31's on Simpson's website, you will see some years and characteristics bring premium prices over others. If you are looking for a particular year, you might pay significantly more. I would forget about that and decide what kind of stock you want and just make sure it has matching numbers and a solid stock. Virtually all of them will have spotless internals anyway. The craftsmanship of these rifles far surpasses what they cost at $300 - $450 or so.

[Tonymin]

If you browse the vast numbers of K31's on Simpson's website, you will see some years and characteristics bring premium prices over others. If you are looking for a particular year, you might pay significantly more. I would forget about that and decide what kind of stock you want and just make sure it has matching numbers and a solid stock. Virtually all of them will have spotless internals anyway. The craftsmanship of these rifles far surpasses what they cost at $300 - $450 or so.

Agreed

[DennisCA]

Agreed

Yup - For Swiss rifles, Simpsons. LTD can't be beat!

For your viewing, this my 1924 K11 I got from them:



(All matching numbers including the bayonet)

And yes the bayo is that long!

Also - Tonymin here's some reading for you:

http://www.swissrifles.com/

[DennisCA]

Oh yea - this:

[mike415stone]

I read that the butt stocks got chewed up from being stored in the bedroom closet and being pushed and kicked around a lot

[Latigo]

Yeah, those bedroom closets can be cold, icy and hard to manoeuver in!

[TKM]

Yeah, those bedroom closets can be cold, icy and hard to manoeuver in!

It's worse when you're naked and trying to be quiet.

[Tonymin]

I just ordered this...

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?cPath=350_351_379&products_id=31095

[Capybara]

You scored Tonymin, better price than I paid for mine a few years ago and both of ours seem to look similar.