We Unboxed A Crate Of Swiss Guns!

Unboxing the Swiss surplus crate

The video opens with the Classic Firearms team gathered around a pallet of sealed surplus crates. They explain that unboxing surplus used to be a regular feature at their old warehouse and that this shipment is a rare opportunity to revisit that format. The bands and tape are cut on a large wooden crate so viewers can see the contents at the same time as the hosts. Inside is a tightly packed box of Swiss rifles, still protected with oils and packing. The team notes that the crate is marked for 100 rifles and that they want to sample several pieces to show the range of condition and variation across the shipment.

First look at K31 straight-pull rifles

The first crate is revealed to be full of Swiss K31 rifles. The hosts describe the K31 as a straight-pull bolt-action chambered in 7.5x55 Swiss, known for excellent accuracy. They recall shooting a K31 with iron sights out to about 450 yards and emphasize that marksmanship remains an important tradition in Switzerland, where these rifles are still used in competition. As they pull rifles from the crate, they point out that every example they see has a sling, though they stress that slings cannot be guaranteed on all rifles. The wood stocks and metal finishes appear remarkably clean, with only light wear along some edges.

K31 operation, safety, and field use

The team demonstrates how the K31’s straight-pull action works. The bolt is cycled by pulling straight back and then pushing straight forward, without rotating the handle. They highlight the circular striker at the rear of the bolt, which doubles as a safety: it can be pulled back, rotated like a key, and locked, then turned back to unlock. This layout was designed with Swiss soldiers in mind, who often operated in cold conditions while wearing thick winter gloves, so the controls are large and simple to manipulate. The rifle uses a detachable magazine and is chambered in 7.5x55, a full-size rifle cartridge suited to the platform’s intended role and range performance.

Condition, wood variation, and bayonets

As more K31s are laid out, the hosts show the range of stock colors, from lighter to much darker wood, explaining that natural wood and different stains, along with age, create this variation. They note typical storage marks where rifles have bumped against each other, but repeatedly point out the strong metal finish, solid slings, and the absence of rust or pitting on the examples in hand. Honest wear appears mainly as faded bluing on some receivers rather than structural damage. A highlight of the shipment is a very limited number of K31s with matching sword-style bayonets, including serial number matching examples. The bayonet blades appear clean and well preserved, and the team is careful to keep each bayonet with its corresponding rifle.

Introducing the K1911 rifles

After repacking the first crate, the team moves to another box labeled for K1911 rifles. They explain that the K1911 is an earlier Swiss straight-pull design derived from the longer G1911 rifle, but shortened into a carbine-style format. It shares the same 7.5x55 chambering and a broadly similar manual of arms, with a detachable magazine and straight-pull bolt. At first glance, the K31 and K1911 appear to be the same overall length, which prompts a closer comparison. The hosts line up a K31 and a K1911 side by side to show that the main difference is in the receiver length and internal bolt design rather than the external dimensions of the rifles.

K31 vs K1911 design and bolt differences

The comparison focuses on how the K31 and K1911 bolts lock into the receiver. On the K1911, the locking lugs are located in the middle of the bolt body, which requires a longer receiver that extends farther forward. On the K31, the locking lugs are positioned at the front of the bolt, allowing a shorter receiver while maintaining the same overall rifle length. This redesign was intended to modernize the system and create a stronger, more robust action while preserving familiar handling for soldiers. Visual cues help distinguish the two: the K1911 magazine has a flat face that is angled, while the K31 magazine presents differently, and the K1911 bolt handle uses original bakelite grips instead of the steel grips found on K31 bolt handles.

Stock wear, slings, and surplus character

The hosts continue pulling K1911 rifles from the crate to show a range of conditions. Wood tones vary from light to dark and sometimes reddish, with typical nicks and dings from storage, especially near the fore-end where rifles may have rubbed together. They point out that Swiss rifles often show the most wear at the buttstock. Metal rods at the muzzle allow rifles to be stacked in a teepee, so the butt ends up in snow and moisture when units set up camp, leading to more wear there. Even so, the examples shown do not exhibit splitting or cracking. Some magazines show light surface rust that appears easily cleanable, while others look nearly as pristine as the K31s. Every rifle they handle has a sling attached, though they reiterate that slings cannot be guaranteed and that cosmetic grading is inherently subjective.

7.5x55 cartridge comparison and wrap-up

The discussion turns to the 7.5x55 Swiss cartridge used in both the K31 and K1911. It is described as a full-power rifle cartridge rather than an intermediate round. When asked for a modern comparison, the hosts relate it to other full-size cartridges of its era, such as .30-06 Springfield and .303 British, and suggest it is at least on par with or somewhat stronger than .308 Winchester in general terms. They do not provide exact pressure figures or energy numbers but emphasize that 7.5x55 belongs in the same performance class as other early 20th-century service rifle cartridges. The segment closes with a recap that the shipment includes K31 and K1911 straight-pull rifles in generally strong surplus condition, with some examples featuring matching bayonets and a variety of stock finishes and wear patterns.