Swiss Hämmerli 280 .22 LR 4.5” Semi-Auto Competition Pistol & Extras, 1991
SOLD FOR: $1,060.00
LSB#: LSB260630WF004
Make: Hämmerli, Switzerland
Model: 280
Serial Number: 101451
Year of Manufacture: 1991 (KB Date Code) / Modern
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Barrel Length: 4.5”
Sights / Optics: The top of the receiver has a 5 7/8” section of Weaver rail.
Grip Configuration & Condition: This pistol has a single piece textured wood block grip with an adjustable palm wrist. There are scratches, nicks, and moderate handling wear throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains approximately 98% of its original finish. The balance shows light operational and handling wear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall this pistol is in Very Good + condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm.
As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol includes a padded hard case, 3x 6rd magazines, iron sight set, bushing, spare firing pin, spring, barrel weights, faux barrel weights, & tool.
Our Assessment: The Hämmerli 280 was one of Switzerland’s premier precision competition pistols of the late 20th century, developed specifically for high-level 25-meter target shooting. Introduced in the late 1980s, the design used extensive lightweight composite construction, a low-mounted blowback action, and a magazine positioned ahead of the trigger to centralize mass and improve balance. It was offered in both .22 Long Rifle and .32 S&W Long Wadcutter configurations and featured a highly adjustable trigger, anatomical grip, interchangeable weighting system, and precision iron sights. This 1991 .22 LR example retains the adjustable right-handed target grip, barrel-weight system, and complete competition-oriented configuration that made the Model 280 a serious international match pistol. This pistol remains in Very Good Plus condition, retaining approximately 98% of its original finish. The exterior shows light handling and operational wear, while the screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled and the markings remain clear. The one-piece textured wood target grip shows scratches, nicks, and moderate handling wear but remains free of chips or cracks and rates in Very Good condition. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, rating 9.75/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly.
For collectors and competitive pistol shooters, the Hämmerli 280 is a significant example of Swiss match-pistol engineering from the era when specialized European designs dominated international precision competition. Its unusual forward magazine location, adjustable anatomical grip, interchangeable weights, sophisticated trigger system, and modular .22/.32 architecture distinguish it sharply from conventional sporting pistols. The padded hard case, three magazines, original iron sights, spare firing pin and spring, bushing, barrel weights, faux weights, and tool make this a particularly complete package. -R.E.