Fusilier Wipf is a 1938 Swiss movie directed by Leopold Lindtberg and Hermann Haller. It is August 1, 1914, and Master Wiederkehr's hairdressing salon is buzzing with the shocking news that war has broken out. Germany, Belgium, and Russia have declared mobilization. The French troops are at the border. The hairdresser's assistant Reinhold Wipf also has to answer the call to arms. In the following years, the pale youth, teased by his comrades, grows into a man. He serves with his company in various parts of Switzerland and becomes friends with the soldier Leu, who takes care of him like a father. He has long regretted his hasty engagement, for in the meantime he has lost his heart to a country girl. But before Wipf can think of a future together, he and his comrades are ordered to the Valais. In the mountains on the Swiss-Italian border, they are confronted with the horrors of war for the first time.
The following weapons were used in the film Fusilier Wipf:
Swiss soldiers of the 86th Füsilier-Battalion including Reinhold Wipf (Paul Hubschmid), Hans-Rudolph Meisterhans (Robert Trösch), Jakob Hungerbühler (Max Werner Lenz), Heinrich Leu (Heinrich Gretler), Schatzli (Zarli Carigiet) are armed with Schmidt-Rubin Model 1911s. Italian Soldiers of a Ski patrol unit are also seen with Schmidt-Rubin rifles.
Some older Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889 are also seen used by Swiss soldiers. Since these rifles are not seen in detail they could be either M1889 or M1889/96 variants; this unclarity could be solved by looking at the receiver, which unfortunately cannot be seen.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSchmidt-Rubin Infanteriegewehr Modell 1889 - 7.5x53.5mm Swiss (GP 90)Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn used rifle is seen leaning against the entrance of the barn. Note the larger rear sight.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe third soldier from left carries his rifle with the box magazine during the training charge.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe front view of a soldier holding the rifle could also solve the identification problem; the distance between the magazine to the trigger guard is smaller on the M89/96, but this angle does not allow to distinguish it properly.
Trivia
Swiss Army Uniforms
The movie features the development of the Swiss military uniform between 1914 to 1918.
