Schmidt-Rubin identification - The Firearms Forum

BiggT · 05-22-2011, 04:27 PM

I am trying to figure out what I have here. It was from an estate and i need to make positive ID and assign a value to it.
It has the Schmidt-Rubin receiver and action and the date of 14 6 95 is under the buttplate. All serial numbers match, barrel, receiver, magazine, stock, etc. Has the original series bolt with the locking lugs to the rear. What has me stumped it the fact that it does not have the full stock as others I have seen, this one is open topped. It has a Lyman Peep sight that appears to be original stock. There are no indications that it ever had any other rear sight attached. Did they create a factory "sporter' rifle?

deadin · 05-22-2011, 10:13 PM

What you have is a M1889 Schmidt-Rubin that has been "sporterized".
The stock has been cut and the rear barrel sight removed and replaced by a Lyman receiver sight, The top wood that covered the barrel from in front of the original rear sight is also missing. Can't tell if the barrel itself has been cut as the pictures don't show the muzzle.
These rifles are collectible if in original condition, but aren't worth much other than parts when cut down as they are not considered safe to shoot with modern ammo.

BiggT · 05-23-2011, 06:50 AM

Thanks for the comment. I suspected it had been "sporterized" but the quality of the work was much better than I would have expected if done by someone other than a real expert, and where this came from would pretty much exclude and expensive conversion. I have added a few more pictures to show the muzzle. Sorry about the picture quality, this thing does not like to take close-ups. BTW the barrel is 21.65 inches overall including the buttplate is 42.5 inches.

deadin · 05-23-2011, 08:34 AM

Well, the barrel length isn't right ( it should be 30.75") and the front sight blade has either been changed or has been altered to have a bead. Possibly a replacement by Lyman. Were it an original factory Swiss "sporter" they wouldn't have used Lyman sights. There was a "Short Rifle" version with a 23.3" barrel, but it wasn't made until 1900 and had a different magazine.

Are you sure on that barrel length? (Measured with a rod down the barrel on a closed bolt.) It seems longer in the pictures.

Jim K · 05-23-2011, 04:26 PM

That looks like the original front sight base. If so, the barrel was cut and then turned down so the sight could be reinstalled. It looks like a fairly typical American "sporterizing" job. It would not have required a skilled gunsmith, just someone with a few basic tools and possibly a lathe.

Jim

BiggT · 05-23-2011, 09:24 PM

Thanks guys.
So basically it's worth something between very little and nothing. A nice wall hanger.

flintlock · 05-24-2011, 08:17 AM

I have one just like it. My father in law found it at a show and paid $35.00 for it. About 30 years ago! Now it reminds me of a good man, when I take it to the range.

05-22-2011, 04:27 PM	#1
BiggT Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3	Schmidt-Rubin identification I am trying to figure out what I have here. It was from an estate and i need to make positive ID and assign a value to it. It has the Schmidt-Rubin receiver and action and the date of 14 6 95 is under the buttplate. All serial numbers match, barrel, receiver, magazine, stock, etc. Has the original series bolt with the locking lugs to the rear. What has me stumped it the fact that it does not have the full stock as others I have seen, this one is open topped. It has a Lyman Peep sight that appears to be original stock. There are no indications that it ever had any other rear sight attached. Did they create a factory "sporter' rifle? Attached Images -->

05-22-2011, 10:13 PM	#2
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 858	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification What you have is a M1889 Schmidt-Rubin that has been "sporterized". The stock has been cut and the rear barrel sight removed and replaced by a Lyman receiver sight, The top wood that covered the barrel from in front of the original rear sight is also missing. Can't tell if the barrel itself has been cut as the pictures don't show the muzzle. These rifles are collectible if in original condition, but aren't worth much other than parts when cut down as they are not considered safe to shoot with modern ammo.

05-23-2011, 06:50 AM	#3
BiggT Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification Thanks for the comment. I suspected it had been "sporterized" but the quality of the work was much better than I would have expected if done by someone other than a real expert, and where this came from would pretty much exclude and expensive conversion. I have added a few more pictures to show the muzzle. Sorry about the picture quality, this thing does not like to take close-ups. BTW the barrel is 21.65 inches overall including the buttplate is 42.5 inches. Attached Images

05-23-2011, 08:34 AM	#4
deadin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 858	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification Well, the barrel length isn't right ( it should be 30.75") and the front sight blade has either been changed or has been altered to have a bead. Possibly a replacement by Lyman. Were it an original factory Swiss "sporter" they wouldn't have used Lyman sights. There was a "Short Rifle" version with a 23.3" barrel, but it wasn't made until 1900 and had a different magazine. Are you sure on that barrel length? (Measured with a rod down the barrel on a closed bolt.) It seems longer in the pictures.

05-23-2011, 04:26 PM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification That looks like the original front sight base. If so, the barrel was cut and then turned down so the sight could be reinstalled. It looks like a fairly typical American "sporterizing" job. It would not have required a skilled gunsmith, just someone with a few basic tools and possibly a lathe. Jim

05-23-2011, 09:24 PM	#6
BiggT Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification Thanks guys. So basically it's worth something between very little and nothing. A nice wall hanger.

05-24-2011, 08:17 AM	#7
flintlock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate NY Contributor Posts: 897	Re: Schmidt-Rubin identification I have one just like it. My father in law found it at a show and paid $35.00 for it. About 30 years ago! Now it reminds me of a good man, when I take it to the range.