The Infanteriegewehr Modell 1842 (English: Infantry rifle, type 1842) was one of the first standardised service rifles used by the Swiss armed forces. It was introduced in 1842 as a result of a decision by the authorities of the Old Swiss Confederacy to standardise the weapons of the then still separate armies of the Swiss Cantons.
| Infanteriegewehr Modell 1842 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service rifle |
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1842 – c. 1863 |
| Used by | Armies of the Swiss cantons |
| Wars | Sonderbund War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Francotte Liège, Beuret Frères and others |
| Variants | 1859 refit to 10.4 mm caliber |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4750 g |
| Length | 1470 mm |
| Barrel length | 1050 mm |
| Caliber | 18 mm |
| Action | Caplock |
| Feed system | Muzzleloader |
| Sights | Adjustable rear sight |
The weapon was refitted in 1859 (T.59) and again in 1867 (T.67) with a Milbank-Amsler receiver system to convert it to a breech loader. Some weapons were also retrofitted with rifled barrels in the 1860s.
References edit
- Ernst Hostettler (1987). Hand-und Faustfeuerwaffen der Schweizer Armee von 1842 bis heute (3rd ed.). Buch-Vertriebs GmbH Zürich. p. 12. ISBN 3-905216-03-5.
External links edit
- Data and pictures regarding the 1867 breechloader conversion on militaryrifles.com