Infanteriegewehr Modell 1896/11

Introduction

For a more detailed overview of the history of the 1911-series, please see the page for the Ig. 11. 

As well as producing new Ig. 11s, existing stocks of Ig. 89/96 actions were cannibalised to produce converted Ig. 96/11s. Due to the inherent strength of the centre-locking 1896 action, this was a simple job, which involved the fitting of a new barrel and rear sight, a new magazine and action floor plate, and the addition of a sculpted semi-pistol grip to the stock. The rest of the components were refinished, but otherwise carried over directly from the older rifle.

If an Ig. 96/11's stock was broken, it would sometimes be fitted with a replacement in the Ig. 11 pattern (with integrally-carved semi-pistol grip and flatter buttplate). 

Nomenclature

Following a reform of Swiss Army terminology in 1908, standard-issue rifles were officially known as Infanteriegewehre (Infantry Rifles), and it was with this designation that the Ig. 96/11 was adopted. This would remain the correct term for its entire service life, although some sources (both modern and contemporary) do occasionally refer to them as 'Langgewehre' (Long Rifles), 'Repetiergewehre' (Repeating Rifles), or other terms. These are not, however, offical or officially accepted. 

By this time, too, the army had created a standardised scheme for abbreviating designations, under which Infanteriegewehr was shortened to 'Ig.' - which can be written either with or without the period. By regulations, the 'I' should be capitalised, with the 'g' in lower case, and a space should be left between the term and (two-digit) year of adoption. The correct abbreviated form is thus 'Ig. 96/11'. Later, a reformed abbreviation scheme was adopted, under which 'Gewehr' was to become 'Gw.', but some legacy abbreviations continued to be used as they had become too entrenched to be worth changing. The Ig. 96/11 - and the GP 11 ammunition it fired - thus were never changed to 'Inf. Gw. 96/11' or 'Gw. Pat. 11', respectively. 

Serial Numbers and Dates of Production/Delivery

When being upgraded to Ig. 96/11 specification, rifles retained the original serial numbers they had received as Ig. 89/96s. You can look up these in our serial number lookup tool for the Ig. 89/96, here.

However, an additional, sequential, conversion number was also stamped onto the comb of the stock to record when the conversion took place. You can look up these numbers in our Ig. 96/11 conversion number lookup tool here. 

The range of conversion numbers ran sequentially from 1 to 135770. By year, total deliveries were as follows:

• 1912: 1 - 5000 (5,000 rifles)

• 1913: 5001 - 45000 (40,000 rifles)

• 1914: 45001 - 96000 (51,000 rifles)

• 1915: 96001 - 134000 (38,000 rifles)

• 1916: 134001 - 135500 (1,500 rifles)

• 1917: n/a

• 1918: 135501 - 135700 (200 rifles)

• 1919: 135701 - 135750 (50 rifles)

• 1920: 135751 - 135770 (20 rifles)

Service History

Alongside its sister rifle, the Ig. 11, the Ig. 96/11 was standard issue for the Swiss Army from 1911 (with the first deliveries taking place in 1912) until being replaced by the Kar. 31. For further detail, please see the page for the Ig. 11.

Technical Characteristics

Action: two-lug, centre-locking straight pull bolt action

Length: 1.302m (4'3.26")

Barrel length: 780mm

Unladen weight: 4.5kg (9.92lbs)

Calibre: 7.5x5mm Gewehrpatrone 1911

Feed system: detachable six-round double-stack, double-feed box magazine

Muzzle velocity: c. 805m/s (approx. 2641 fps)

Accessories

• Infantry-type leather sling (with buttons at both ends)

• Muzzle cap (brass, long type)

• Bayonet (Dolchbajonett Modell 1899 or 1889/18)

• Cleaning kit

Ammunition

As the Ig. 96/11's barrel was designed specifically for the 7.5x55mm GP 11 cartridge, it will perform best with that round. Earlier GP 90-type ammunition will feed and function safely, but will not give particularly good accuracy due to the much slower twist rate and tighter chamber. 

The original, military loading featured a cupronickel-jacketed 174grn boat-tailed spitzer bullet. Surplus ammunition can sometimes be found, and will provide the best results, but supplies have largely dried up and the recreational shooter outside of Switzerland will thus have to use commercially-made ammunition. This should perform well, and the brass can be reloaded if one has the necessary equipment.