Shoot Twice and Go Home! The Swiss Marksmanship Philosophy.

Published on October 29, 2016
Duration: 7:55

This video explores the Swiss marksmanship philosophy, emphasizing the historical practice of soldiers taking their issued rifles home for maintenance and personal training. It details the tradition of troop tags found under the butt plates of these rifles, serving as personal identifiers. The presenter examines several Swiss rifles, including the K31, M1911, and M1889, highlighting their quality and the historical significance of this unique military practice.

Quick Summary

The Swiss marksmanship philosophy, often summarized as 'Shoot Twice and Go Home,' highlights the proficiency of Swiss soldiers. Historically, soldiers were issued rifles to keep at home, responsible for their maintenance and training, with personal identifiers like 'troop tags' placed under the butt plate.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction to Swiss Rifles and Marksmanship
  2. 00:18The 'Shoot Twice and Go Home' Story
  3. 01:29Swiss Army Rifle Issuance and Maintenance
  4. 02:28Historical Significance of Troop Tags
  5. 03:09Examining Swiss Rifle Quality
  6. 03:11Butt Plate Removal and Troop Tag Search
  7. 04:05K31 (1951) Butt Plate Inspection
  8. 05:04Older K31 (1938) Butt Plate Inspection
  9. 06:06Model 1911 (1912) Butt Plate Inspection
  10. 06:40Model 1889 (1892) Butt Plate Inspection
  11. 07:07Close-up of Troop Tag
  12. 07:22Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Shoot Twice and Go Home' philosophy in the context of Swiss marksmanship?

The 'Shoot Twice and Go Home' philosophy, though possibly apocryphal, represents the Swiss military's emphasis on exceptional marksmanship. It implies that Swiss soldiers were so proficient that they could neutralize a threat with minimal shots, thus concluding engagements quickly and returning home.

What were troop tags on Swiss rifles and why were they used?

Troop tags were small identifiers, often placed under the butt plate of issued Swiss rifles, containing the soldier's name and address. This practice personalized the rifle to the individual soldier, emphasizing their responsibility for its care and maintenance.

What is the historical significance of Swiss rifles being taken home by soldiers?

Historically, Swiss soldiers were issued their rifles to keep at home, responsible for cleaning, maintenance, and personal training. This fostered a strong connection to their firearm and ensured readiness, as they could quickly report for duty with their own weapon.

What makes Swiss rifles like the K31 and M1911 notable?

Swiss rifles are renowned for their exceptional build quality, precise engineering, outstanding metallurgy, and tight tolerances. These characteristics reflect significant investment by the Swiss government in developing and manufacturing reliable and accurate firearms.

Related News

All News →

More General Videos You Might Like

More from DEUCE AND GUNS

View all →