Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive early-production Swiss Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin infantry rifle with low serial number 26868, manufactured during the second year of production in 1892.

The rifle retains matching numbers on most of its principal components, an apparently untouched service finish, its original oil-finished stock, a scarce 12-round detachable magazine, and an exceptional mirror-bright bore that shows remarkably little evidence of use.

The Model 1889 was the first rifle in the celebrated family of Swiss Schmidt-Rubin straight-pull military arms. Designed around the action developed by Colonel Rudolf Schmidt and the small-caliber cartridge work of Colonel Eduard Rubin, it was one of the most technically advanced infantry rifles adopted during the late 19th century.

Production began at the Swiss Federal Arms Factory in Bern in 1891 and ended in 1897 after approximately 212,000 rifles had been manufactured. Documented production tables place serial numbers 1 through 24,900 in 1891 and serial numbers 24,901 through 115,000 in 1892. Serial number 26868 therefore dates firmly to 1892 rather than merely to an estimated 1891–1892 range.

Because every standard Model 1889 was produced before 1899, rifles of this pattern qualify as antiques under current U.S. federal law.

The Model 1889 was adopted during a period of extraordinarily rapid change in military firearms. Many armies were transitioning from large-bore, single-shot black-powder rifles to smaller-caliber repeating arms using jacketed bullets and smokeless or semi-smokeless propellants.

Switzerland’s answer combined a straight-pull bolt action, a 12-round detachable box magazine, and the innovative 7.5×53.5mm GP90 cartridge. The Schmidt action allowed the soldier to cycle the rifle by pulling the bolt directly rearward and pushing it forward again, eliminating the separate lifting and turning movements required by a conventional turn-bolt rifle.

The result was a remarkably fast and smooth operating system that established the basic identity of Swiss military rifles for more than half a century. Later rifles, including the Model 1889/96, Model 1896/11, Model 1911, K11, and K31, refined the straight-pull principle introduced with this rifle.

Serial number 26868 is marked on the receiver, barrel, and bolt assembly. The abbreviated serial number: 868 Is also stamped on the individual components of the rear sight. The extensive matching numbering is a significant collector advantage and indicates that most of the rifle’s original factory-fitted components remain together.

The detachable magazine is not matching and is numbered: 199084

The buttplate is marked: 84

These parts were likely exchanged during arsenal service or after the rifle left Swiss military ownership. Component replacement was not unusual during the long service lives of Swiss rifles, particularly when worn or damaged parts were replaced during inspection and maintenance.

A clear marking is present on the top of the chamber ring: P23

This marking is generally associated with examination or proof connected with the GP90/23 cartridge introduced during the 1920s. The GP90/23 was an updated loading for rifles originally designed around the earlier GP90 ammunition.

The marking should not be interpreted as approval to use the later GP11 service cartridge. The original Model 1889 action was not designed for GP11, and the rifle should be regarded as chambered only for ammunition specifically suitable for the Model 1889 and GP90 system.

Numerous Swiss military inspection and acceptance marks are visible on the metal components and stock.

The spine of the buttstock is marked: D5✚C1, a circled number 5 is also present.

These cross-and-letter markings are associated with Swiss inspection and manufacturing controls and add considerable character to the rifle. Their precise attribution to individual inspectors can be difficult without specialized factory records.

The metalwork retains a substantial amount of its original blued finish. The surfaces show even service wear, light thinning, and evidence of careful cleaning of minor oxidation, but there is no significant rust, pitting, or major metal damage.

The finish does not appear to have been subjected to a later arsenal refurbishment. Its honest wear is consistent with a rifle that was carried and handled regularly but fired comparatively little.

The bolt remains in bright polished steel and shows only scattered light staining.

The original red fiber or hard-rubber bolt handle knobs remain installed. They are in good overall condition but show age-related cracking, and a layer is missing from the underside. This material commonly becomes brittle after more than a century and should be handled carefully.

Mechanically, the action operates securely with the distinctive solid movement associated with the early Schmidt straight-pull system. The bolt draws rearward smoothly, returns firmly into battery, and produces a crisp dry-fire release.

The magazine cutoff and release lever remains functional but is particularly stiff.

A metal clip has been installed on the lever. When positioned as found, it prevents the rifle from being placed into its single-shot operating mode.

The detachable magazine appears mechanically complete and functional, although its feeding operation has not been tested with ammunition.

The bore is the most impressive condition feature of this rifle. It retains a mirror-bright interior with exceptionally crisp lands and grooves and shows little visible evidence of firing.

The contrast between the service wear on the exterior and the nearly pristine bore suggests a rifle that was carried extensively during training or militia service but discharged only sparingly. Swiss military rifles were famously maintained under a disciplined national service system, and this example demonstrates the extraordinary level of care often encountered on surviving Swiss arms.

The walnut stock retains what appears to be its original oil finish and has developed a rich dark honey color.

It displays the expected dents, small chips, pressure marks, and scratches from military service and storage, but there are no major cracks, structural repairs, or significant areas of missing wood.

The grain is particularly attractive, with pronounced curl and figure visible through the buttstock. The smooth, aged oil finish gives the rifle considerably more character than a heavily sanded or refinished example.

The rear sight remains complete and fully adjustable. Its numbered components correspond with the rifle’s serial number.

Both sling swivels are present and move freely.

The middle barrel band and its retaining spring remain intact.

A very attractive brass muzzle cover is installed over the muzzle. These covers protected the bore from moisture, dirt, snow, and debris while the rifle was carried in the field.

At approximately 51 inches overall, with a 30 1/2-inch free-floating barrel and a stock extending nearly to the muzzle, the Model 1889 retains the imposing proportions of a traditional infantry musket while incorporating the advanced magazine and action technology of the modern repeating rifle.

Its 12-round magazine gave the Swiss rifle an unusually large capacity for the period. When the Model 1889 entered production, many contemporary military forces were still issuing single-shot rifles or early repeaters with considerably smaller magazines.

The GP90 cartridge developed by Eduard Rubin was equally innovative. Its relatively small 7.5mm projectile used a metal jacket and was originally paper patched, combining older projectile technology with the emerging small-bore military cartridge concept. The Schmidt action and Rubin cartridge together gave the rifle the combined name by which the entire series is now known.

The Model 1889 was ultimately superseded because the rear-locking action offered limited strength for increasingly powerful ammunition. The later Model 1889/96 moved the locking lugs farther forward, beginning the mechanical evolution that eventually produced the stronger Model 1911 and K31 actions.

That limitation is also what makes the Model 1889 historically significant. It preserves the original form of the Schmidt straight-pull system before the extensive redesigns and improvements introduced in later Swiss rifles.

With its confirmed 1892 production date, low serial number, mostly matching components, untouched service appearance, figured original stock, brass muzzle cover, smooth action, and exceptional mirror-bright bore, this is an outstanding representative of Switzerland’s first straight-pull service rifle.

A highly appealing early Schmidt-Rubin for the collector seeking originality, mechanical innovation, and the unmistakable craftsmanship of 19th-century Swiss military arms.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1892
Manufacturer: Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern
Model: Infanteriegewehr Modell 1889
Serial Number: 26868
Caliber: 7.5×53.5mm Swiss GP90 Pattern
Cartridge Type: Centerfire
Barrel Length: 30 1/2"
Overall Length: 51"
Action: Straight-Pull Bolt Action
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

More on the Model 1889 Schmidt-Rubin

The Model 1889 was the first in the series of Schmidt–Rubin rifles, which served Switzerland from 1889 to 1953. The rifle takes its name from the designer of its action, Colonel Rudolf Schmidt, and the designer of its ammunition, Colonel Eduard Rubin. The straight-pull bolt action allows the user to pull the bolt straight back to unlock the action and eject the spent cartridge in one motion, and push the bolt forward to chamber a round, cock the striker, and lock the action. This is as opposed to a traditional bolt action, wherein the user must lift the bolt handle to unlock the action before pulling the bolt back.

The rifle is roughly musket length, with a free-floating barrel, 12-round magazine and wood stock that extends almost to the tip of the barrel. The Schmidt–Rubin 1889 was an advanced weapon for its time, and was one of the first rifles to use copper-jacketed ammunition as its standard ammunition. The GP90 7.5×53.5mm round designed by Col. Rubin in 1882 was revolutionary in that most of the bullets used in Europe at the time, except for the Mle 1886 Lebel rifle metal-jacketed 8mm bullet, were around .45 inches as opposed to the .308 inches of the Schmidt–Rubin ammunition. Strangely enough, the round was "paper patched" meaning that the bullet was surrounded by a piece of paper, much like the cotton patches placed around a musket ball. Paper patching the round was supposed to aid in the lubrication of the bullet.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.