ISBN 978-1-0687359-6-7

This is a preorder item. Shipping is scheduled for Autumn of 2026.

Guardians of Neutrality - Swiss Rifles Through the Ages
The Definitive English-Language Reference on Swiss Military Rifles
The first book in English to comprehensively document the history, development, and service use of Swiss military rifles — from the Vetterli to the modern Swiss Armed Forces.
 
For collectors, historians, and serious firearms enthusiasts, Guardians of Neutrality is the most complete reference ever published in English on one of the most respected small arms traditions in the world — the Swiss service rifle and its remarkable century-plus of precision engineering.
Tracing the full arc of Swiss military rifles from the iconic Vetterli of 1860 through to the refined precision arms of the modern Swiss Armed Forces, this book takes a distinctly academic approach — combining rigorous historical research with detailed technical analysis, while maintaining the high standard of photography and visual detail our readers expect. The result is an authoritative, visually rich volume that works equally well as a technical reference and a premium collector's showcase.
Drawing on rare archival material, previously unpublished imagery, and expert commentary, the book examines not only how these rifles were built, but why they were designed the way they were — and how they served the nation that made them.
 
What's Inside:
The complete development history of Swiss service rifles from 1860 to 1990, tracing over a century of innovation and manufacturing excellence
Full coverage of landmark designs, from the Vetterli and the Schmidt-Rubin series through the Gew. 11, Kar. 31, and modern precision arms
Detailed technical analysis explaining the design philosophy and engineering choices behind each rifle
Expert commentary placing each firearm in its broader historical, military, and industrial context
Rare archival images and previously unpublished photography, gathered from remarkable private Swiss collections
High-resolution, detail-focused close-ups for identification and study
Primary source research drawn entirely from Swiss federal archives, supported by extensive historical documentation
 
Why This Book Stands Apart
Most references on Swiss rifles rely on secondary sources or exist only in other languages. Guardians of Neutrality was written differently. Author Thomas Anderson (host of the French firearms-history channel Le Feu aux Poudres) spent years shooting, collecting, and competing with military rifles, developing a particular expertise in Swiss arms after noticing how many shooters own a Kar. 11 or Kar. 31 yet how few truly know the story behind them. He traveled repeatedly to Switzerland, visited exceptional private collections, and drew every detail from Swiss federal sources to ensure the most accurate and complete account possible. Every page reflects that standard of research.
Whether you're identifying a specific rifle, building a serious military-arms reference library, or exploring the industrial heritage behind Switzerland's legacy of precision, this is the definitive English-language account the subject has long deserved.
 
A must-have for Swiss firearms collectors, military history enthusiasts, small arms researchers, and anyone passionate about the rifles that have safeguarded Switzerland's neutrality for generations.