Offered for auction from a recent estate sale is an
ORIGINAL SWISS MODEL 1918 BAYONET & SCABBARD FOR SCHMIDT RUBIN K11 (1911) OR K31 RIFLE
These bayonets were designed to fit the Swiss Schmidt Rubin K11 Carbine and K31 Short rifle.
This Model 1918 Swiss Schmidt Rubin K11 and K31 bayonet was made by ELSENER SCHWYZ along with Serial Number of 927204 impressed on the Ricasso. The serial number was applied only when the bayonet was paired with a rifle. The scabbard's buckle hole was punched when the scabbard was first mated to a belt frog to ensure a tight fit. The hole is present on this leather tab. From research I believe it dates the bayonet to 1948 period. Schwyz was knives manufacturer located in the Canton of Schwyz and is today known as Victorinox that manufactures Swiss Army Knives.
This Schmidt Rubin Model 1918 Swiss Double Edged Blade bayonet and original Blued Metal Scabbard is complete and untouched as found, not cleaned or polished. It appears to have been cleaned and lightly polished sometime during its life. When viewing the photos you will note lines on the clean blade it oil markings from sliding in and out of scabbard. They can be wiped off. The scabbard shows ware from where the leather frog was placed when worn by soldiers. The leather tab on scabbard to attach a frog is also present as photos will show. The manufactures markings are perfect on the ricasso as noted above. Impressed on the top of the scabbard is the letter P.
The Script-P mark identifies the scabbard maker as the firm Paillard AG of St. Croix. Paillard was a very diverse manufacturer who produced an amazing variety of products over its 160 year history. The firm began in 1814 as a watch-maker, however, also produced music boxes, record players, typewriters, radios, and the famous Bolex line of motion picture cameras.
The Swiss Cross is impressed on the bulb on the end of the scabbard and on the guard.
There does not appear to be pitting on the blade or nicks, no evidence of sharpening. The point or tip is in place as photos show.
I have taken numerous photos both indoor and in direct sunlight to bring out hopefully the best of this early Swiss Model 1918 Bayonet & Scabbard for the Schmidt Rubin K11 or K31 Rifles. I have include photos of the book “Bayonets” from Janzen’s Notebook page 187 Swiss Model 1918 Schmidt-Rubin” Book for reference only NOT in Auction.
Noted in the book is the following:Swiss Model 1918 Schmidt-Rubin. This bayonet was designed for the M-1911 and M-1931 Schmidt-Rubin Short rifles and utilizes a Double Edged Blade with a pommel slightly longer then the M-1889 Bayonet. If is finished bright as was the previous series. This piece was also used with the SIG AK 53 Assault Rifle and a series of Submachine Guns. The Blade length is 11.81 inches, handle length is 5 Inches and total length is 17 Inches and was issues with the Schmidt-Rubin Models 1911 Carbine, K31 as noted above and Manufacturer were Waffenfabrik Neuhausen, Elsener Schwyz (AKA Victorinox. The wood grips are in very good condition as photos will show. Below basic history of the Schmidt-Rubin K11 &K31 rifles.
Double-edged knife bayonet for use on the 7.5 mm. Schmidt-Rubin M1911 carbine and M1931 Short Rifle (K31). It was designated Dolchbajonett Mod. 1918 (Dagger Bayonet Model 1918).
According to serial number data, Waffenfabrik Neuhausen produced the M1918 bayonet until approximately 1933.
Based on serial number data, it appears that Victorinox initially produced the M1918 bayonet until the early 1920s. Elsener as impressed on the Guard resumed production concurrent with introduction of the M1931 Short Rifle in 1934 and continued until M1931 Short Rifle production ceased in 1958. From Bayonet Identification Guide.
By 1930, it had become clear that important changes were required in the 1911-type Schmidt action to keep abreast of improved technology. On January 22, 1932, therefore, the Bundesrat approved the manufacture of about 20 experimental short rifles; the Karabiner 31 was formally adopted on June 16, 1933.
Great changes had been made in the action which, though retaining the essence of the original Schmidt priniciple, locked into the receiver ring rather than behind the magazine well. In addition, the bolt did not project as far beyond the bolt carrier, reducing the length compared with the 1896-type action by 2.4 inches.
The Karabiner 31 had a longer barrel than the Karabiner 11, which was of similar overall length. An improved sight was fitted, and the semi-pistol grip stock - with a sling bar let into the left side of the butt - was retained by a clamping nose cap accepting any of the standard Swiss sword bayonets.
Military production finished in 1958 after more than half a million Karabiner 31 had been made in the Bern factory. A hundred otherwise standard examples were supplied in the 1930s to equip the elite Swiss Guard (or 'Papstliche Schweizergarde') in the Vatican; these guns were apparently numbered 249047-249146.
Several cutaway examples of the Karabiner 31 were also manufactured.
Model 1931 short rifles are available from Samco Global Arms. The were Manufactured 1933-1958 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern. Total production: 582,230. This information came from an article on the internet titled Manufacture Dates of Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Rifles.
I will accept PAYPAL as payment method. Item will be shipped priority mail usually next day after payment of Paypal, packaging Priority Mail $5.75 for U.S. sales.