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Got this one on the weekend K31 rifle around 1935 date I think judging from the serial numbers I found on the internet. Hoping to finish it up with the last couple remaining parts, currently looking for a bayonet for it, and going to order a sling for it some time soon.

Taking it out to 200 yds on Saturday (Weather permitting) really looking forward to trying it out properly! :)

http://img593.imageshack.us/i/photo0517m.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/i/photo0519p.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/photo0518x.jpg

Woah that is very nice, how is the area around the butt? They do suffer sometimes from being left butt down in the snow for long periods of time but this one looks to be very good.

Wood's immaculate on it, no sign of any damage to the butt. However there isn't a little bit of paper naming the former soldier who owned it sadly. The bluing on top of the receiver is a bit worn, if that can be seen in the pictures, but I don't expect much better from a 75 year old rifle. As long as the wood and barrel are both in good nick, I'm happy with that :) Got a good deal on it too, prices seem to be on the up for these ones

really glad you decided to come over and join the uk forum classic rifles , i only just joined and there is some great stuff on here .

excellent first post thats a real nice k31 . :)

Classic Rifles,

It's a very nice example of a K31. I only wish that more modern rifles are manufactured as well as these classics!

Has this particular rifle been re-stocked and arsenal refurbished at some point in it's life as the stock is in such great condition?

Is the stock walnut or beech wood?

I've a K31 manufactured in 1943 with a walnut stock and little used barrel.

lapua338 wrote:Classic Rifles,

It's a very nice example of a K31. I only wish that more modern rifles are manufactured as well as these classics!

Has this particular rifle been re-stocked and arsenal refurbished at some point in it's life as the stock is in such great condition?

Is the stock walnut or beech wood?

I've a K31 manufactured in 1943 with a walnut stock and little used barrel.

I don't know whether it's been refinished. I've been told not, but are there any sure-fire ways to find out? And I'm not sure on the wood again either in all honesty, haha. I#d say I'd go for walnut over beech though, but I may very well be wrong.

They are fantastic rifles, tried it last week and outshot a lot of modern day stuff with it!

Classic Rifles wrote:

lapua338 wrote:Classic Rifles,

They are fantastic rifles, tried it last week and outshot a lot of modern day stuff with it!

I whole heartedly agree !
The Swiss K31 is very hard to beat in the accuracy department and no other bog standard military rifle of the era even comes close i think...though the Swedish M96 is a close contender.

I have a Swissproducts dioptre sight and tunnel front on mine and it really makes the difference when shooting long distance. You really learn to enjoy and appreciate what a superlative piece of engineering these rifle are.

link to dioptre
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ctId/17802

Classic Rifles,

Very early K31 stocks were manufactured from European walnut but the majority were made from beech, which can be identified by the lighter yellowish to brown colour when oiled. Walnut grain is tight and parallel without the vertical flecks scattered through the grain.

I read somewhere that the change from walnut to beech occured in 1944, other sources state April 1946 at Serial No. 868901.

kri5h wrote: I have a Swissproducts dioptre sight and tunnel front on mine and it really makes the difference when shooting long distance. You really learn to enjoy and appreciate what a superlative piece of engineering these rifle are.

link to dioptre
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... ctId/17802

They really are great rifles, really enjoying shooting it at the moment and I'm very eager to start getting some homeloads made up for it as soon as possible! Those sights certainly look the part! But that's not far off how much I paid for the rifle! Maybe keep an eye out for a 2nd hand one coming around if there is any. Would you happen to know by any chance where I could get a matching Bayonet for it? I've found one website so far, I was just wanting some price comparison really.

lapua338 wrote:Classic Rifles,

Very early K31 stocks were manufactured from European walnut but the majority were made from beech, which can be identified by the lighter yellowish to brown colour when oiled. Walnut grain is tight and parallel without the vertical flecks scattered through the grain.

I read somewhere that the change from walnut to beech occured in 1944, other sources state April 1946 at Serial No. 868901.

I didn't know that, thanks for the information. I've had a read up on this one and I believe it's around 1935 manufacture

Classic Rifles,

Take a look at the following dealers:

http://shop.sportarms.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=27

http://www.sar-shop.de

I've bought some K31 accessories and spares from Sportarms and they have been very reliable. I ordered via the website. They issue a pro-forma invoice and once the goods are paid by bank transfer the items were despatched to me.