.41 Swiss

The .41 Swiss (officially the 10.4x38mmR Swiss cartridge used in the Swiss Vetterli M69/81 rifle) is a .415 in (10.54 mm) Swiss military rimfire bottlenecked intermediate rifle cartridge.

.41 Swiss
10.4x38mmR cartridge
TypeRifle
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
Used bySwiss Army
Production history
Produced1869–1889[1]
Specifications
Case typeRimmed, bottleneck
Bullet diameter.415 in (10.5 mm)
Neck diameter.437 in (11.1 mm)
Shoulder diameter.518 in (13.2 mm)
Base diameter.540 in (13.7 mm)
Rim diameter.630 in (16.0 mm)
Case length1.60 in (41 mm)
Overall length2.20 in (56 mm)
Primer typeRimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
334 gr (22 g) 1,345 ft/s (410 m/s) 1,330 ft⋅lbf (1,800 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber 1972

History
Schematic of the .41 Swiss Rimfire round

In 1867, the Swiss military adopted the 10.4×38mmR cartridge. As one of the few rimfire cartridges to see military service, the 313 grain bullet and 1,400 fps muzzle velocity was respectable compared to its contemporaries. The most popular arms chambered for this round were the Vetterli series of rifles. This type of round was also used in the 1867 Peabody.[2] Adopted in 1869 along with the Vetterli turn-bolt rifle, it was discontinued, along with the rifle, in 1889. With a 334 gr (21.6 g; 0.76 oz) bullet, it is adequate for deer, and only at short range.[1]

The original round's case was made from copper which held a round nosed lead bullet. In 1871 and 1878, the paper patch was improved, but ballistic performance was only marginally improved.

The round continued to be commercially available in the U.S. until sometime after 1946 with 310gr bullets loaded by Winchester (K4154R) and 300gr lead bullets loaded by Remington (R326).[1]

See also

References
  1. Barnes, p.196, "10.4x38R Swiss Vetterli M69/81".
  2. "Swiss Handguns 1882". www.swissrifles.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.

Notes
  • Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ".25 Short", in Cartridges of the World, pp. 196 & 205. Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972. ISBN 0-695-80326-3.
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