This is a rare example of a Swiss Model 21/22 lightweight prototype "Test-Trial" Cavalry Carbines. This rifle is one of "5" examples ever produced with this being only "1 of 3" know to exist and the only one not in a museum. This rare carbine is accompanied by short letter from Col. Schlatter of the Schweizersche Elektronokungernehmugen, Bern Switzerland, explaining that the carbine was designed by Adolf Furrer, who was the director of the "Eidg.Waffenfabrik" works from 1921 to 1940 and was actually produced at the BERN factory in Switzerland circa 1921/22. It was imported into this country by Sam Cummings as part of a large military surplus arms purchase in 1955. Shortly after WWI the Swiss were very interested in the development of a short lightweight cavalry carbine. At they same time Furrer was also interested in developing a shortened carbine that used a shortened version of the 7.65mm cartridge. His proposed cartridge had an overall case length of 27mm with a head diameter of 12 mm, (which is very similar to the later German 7.92 X 33 Kurz cartridge). At that time the Swiss factory decided to not develop this carbine and associated cartridge any farther, beyond the 5 prototypes. Just prior to the start of WWII in 1939, the Swiss decided to relook at this carbine and cartridge design, however they decided to retain their larger 7.5 mm GP11 cartridge in-lieu to this smaller cartridge due to the impending hostilities in Germany. This carbine is a semi-automatic design that has a short cocking handle on the right side. It has a small ejection port on top of the receiver with a tubular magazine located underneath the barrel with a small loading gate (similar to the Winchester rifles) located on the right side of the carbine. The carbine uses a blow-back type system along with a short-recoiling barrel system, similar to the Johnson Arms rifle, where the barrel actually moves backwards about a 1/4 of an inch to start the cycling process. The only markings on the carbine is the serial number "5" stamped on the top front edge of the receiver and again on the top rear section of the receiver. It has a small button safety on the right side in front of the loading gate. It features a one-piece Mannlicher type full length, semi-pistol grip stock.

Fine with 50% of the original dull blue finish still remaining overall with the finish showing thinning and light wear overall. The refinished stock is also in fine condition with nice light walnut color showing no handling marks. It is a very interesting well designed early Swiss prototype Test-Trials cavalry carbine.