Original Item: Only One Available. Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system utilized the "Winchester" tube magazine system for cartridge storage under the barrel. The original 1867 model had an external hammer, like a Winchester, but in 1868 this was changed to an internal cocking bolt spring. The cleaning rod was moved to the side of the rifle, but this proved problematic, so the model of 1869 moved it back to the under barrel position. In 1871, the loading gate cover on the right side of the receiver and the magazine cutoff on the left side were deemed to be redundant, so a new model 1871 was introduced without them. It also featured strengthened barrel rings and a much thicker and sturdier rear sight leaf.

To accelerate the sluggish production of the Vetterli rifles, the federal authorities built a new arms factory in Berne, the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (W+F), in 1875. This factory started production with the 1878 variant of the Vetterli rifle. Its some 25 improvements included a new bayonet and lug, improved sights and a finger hook on the trigger cover.

This example is definitely different than most, as it was cut down and converted to a sporting carbine at some point. The rifle was shortened by about 10 1/2 inches, resulting in a 21 1/2 long barrel. A new front sight was fitted on the barrel, and the rear sight was ground off. leaving just the base, which was fit with a simple metal notch sight. The stock was also cut just in front of the lower barrel band, with a bit still retained at the bottom around the brass magazine tube. The fore stock was also reprofiled, and we can see the plugged space on the bottom where the cleaning rod channel used to be. This would have made a very nice sporter in the late 19th / early 20th century.

The sporting carbine is nicely maker marked on the left side of the receiver:

Serial number 156714 is found on the receiver below the maker mark, as well as on the chamber end of the barrel. Shortened number 714 is found on the right side of the bolt, bottom of the carrier block/ejector, sight base, trigger, and possibly elsewhere, while the butt plate is non-matching. There are additional proof marks on metal components of the rifle, as well as some on the stock, many with the Swiss "Geneva Cross" marking, such as D3✚C1 on the bottom of the butt stock. These are supposed to correspond to specific inspectors of the time.

Offered in very good service used condition, this was a rifle serving at the time of Britain's legendary Martini-Henry Single Shot Rifle, also introduced in 1871 and not replaced with a magazine rifle until 1888. The metalwork has a lovely aged look, with much of the original blued finish retained, showing some areas of light wear. There is however no major oxidation or rust, and it looks like a rifle that saw moderate service and then was cleaned and put into storage, later converted to a sporter. The stocks are lovely, showing the expected wear from age and use, including scratches, small dents, and so forth. The fore stock has been reduced in length and size, and has an abrasion on the left side.

The cleaning rod and sling swivels are missing as part of the carbine conversion. The bore is actually in very good condition, showing strong rifling with a bright finish. It shows signs of only light use, and was definitely cleaned correctly after the last use. The rifle cycles correctly, with the carrier block properly presenting, though we cannot guarantee it will be able to feed. The bolt has an intact double sided firing pin for the rimfire ammunition.

The Vetterli was an Italian design ahead of its time but was soon outclassed by the German Mauser 1871/84 magazine Rifle. This is a very nice example, in lovely condition with no signs of restoration. The Swiss Vetterli rifle is one of the very first bolt-action "repeating" rifles and getting scarce to find today.

A very interesting example, cut down for sporting use after its military service was over. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1878-1881
Caliber: 10.4×38mm Swiss
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: internal tubular magazine

History of the Vetterli Rifle:
The Vetterli rifles were a series of Swiss army service rifles in use from 1869 to circa 1890, when they were replaced with Schmidt-Rubin rifles. Modified Vetterli rifles were also used by the Italian Army.

The Swiss Vetterli rifles combined the American Winchester Model 1866's tubular magazine with a regular bolt featuring for the first time two opposed rear locking lugs. This novel type of bolt was a major improvement over the simpler Dreyse and Chassepot bolt actions. The Vetterli was also the first repeating bolt action rifle to feature a self-cocking action and a small caliber bore. Due to the Swiss Federal Council's early 1866 decision to equip the army with a breechloading repeating rifle, the Vetterli rifles were, at the time of their introduction, the most advanced military rifles in Europe. The Vetterli was the replacement for Amsler-Milbank rifles, which were a metallic cartridge conversion from previous Swiss muzzle-loading rifles.

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