Waffenfabrik Bern

NOTE: This is a used surplus rifle Graded Good by the Importer. Expect finish wear, scratches, dings, etc... (See additional photos of samples from batch)

Waffenfabrik Bern (Weapons Factory Bern), also known as W+F Bern, was an arms manufacturer in Bern, Switzerland, which was a government-owned corporation producing firearms for the Swiss Armed Forces.

The Schmidt–Rubin 1896/11 rifle, or the Model 96/11, was Switzerland's effort to upgrade the 89/96 rifles it had on hand to use the more powerful cartridge adopted as the GP11 / GP1911. The GP11 cartridge operated at a higher chamber pressure, which the 89/96 action could easily handle. Because of this, the model 89/96 rifles were modernized by changing the 3 groove rifled barrel to a new 4-groove type, adding a pistol grip to the stock, changing the magazine to the 6-round type used in the 1900 short rifle, and changing the sights to a more modern type. The changes streamlined the appearance of the rifles. Because more rifles were needed than were available, the model 1911 rifle was put into production with slight changes. Almost all of the 127,000-plus model 89/96 rifles were converted to the 96/11 specifications. This model is easily distinguished from the M1911 by the added pistol grip.