Antique Gun Schmidt Rubin Mod. 1889 Cal. 7.5×55 Serial No. 97878

The Schmidt Rubin 1889 was the first firearm to benefit from the straight-pull bolt developed by Major Rubin in 1883. The ammunition used back then was not even comparable to the current Swiss 7.5; it used semi-smokeless powder, and the bullet diameter was .303, although the bullet was laterally covered with a thin layer of lubricant-impregnated paper that brought the effective diameter to .304. The firearm, equipped with a removable and decidedly protruding magazine, used the first version of the Rubin bolt; the action was rather long, and the bolt locking lugs, in a very rearward position, might have been suitable for the semi-smokeless powders of the time, which developed relatively low power, but were unsuitable for more powerful powders because they allowed excessive bolt flexion at the moment of firing. In 1896, the firearm was modified (model 1889/96) using a slightly shorter bolt with reinforced locking lugs. This serial number 97878 is in order, single serial number, with original sling and muzzle cap. Barrel marked “A. Baumann Morges”. Antique firearm.