{"product_id":"original-italian-m1871-1915-vetterli-rifle-shortened-bayonet-with-scabbard","title":"Original Italian M1871\/1915 Vetterli Rifle Shortened Bayonet with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This very early Vetterli bayonet started life with a long 20\" plus blade, with the long spring for the bayonet catch, and without the cut out lower muzzle ring that was introduced in 1875 indicated by Anthony Carter in his work World Bayonets 1800 to the Present. This example also still has its original composition grip scales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, it was later modified in the WWI era from the Model 1870 issue to the Model of 1870\/1915 model with a shortened blade length of 9 1\/2\" to match the overall length of the WWI front line rifle, the M-1891 CARCANO 6.5mm Rifle. It also had its original hooked quillon cut off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass and steel mounted scabbard was also modified in length to match, though it still has very faint original markings on the leather of the scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no markings on the ricasso, but the crossguard is stamped with serial number \u003cstrong\u003eF1681\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially it was built as a convent for Servite monks in the 15th century, and maintained a religious destination until the end of the 18th century. Following Napoleonic suppressions the convent was turned into barracks and, in 1812, the production of small arms was started. Many kinds of small arms in use by the Regio Esercito were overhauled in the Brescia Arsenal, including the Vetterli rifle and the Carcano rifle in its many versions. Built-in assembly lines produced thousands of the latter, including the entire lot of the M91 TS (Special Troops) Carbine, made between 1898 and 1919. Ammunition was also produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 2 March 1945 the military facility was targeted by a massive USAAF air raid that wrought damage all over the city. The Arsenal was leveled and the church of St. Afra (now Saint Angela Merici) in \"Via dell'Arsenale\" (now via Francesco Crispi) was directly hit and collapsed causing the death of 21 people who had sought refuge there. The total death toll for the bombing was of 80 killed among the population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter World War II the building was named after Sottotenente Serafino Gnutti, an Alpini officer who had earned a posthumous Gold Medal of Military Valor in the Greco-Italian War. The Headquarters and Signals section of Brigata Meccanizzata \"Brescia\" were accommodated there. Following the post-Cold War reorganization of the Italian Army, the Brigata was disbanded and the barracks were left empty. As of August 2010, they have been alienated by the Ministry of Defence to be turned into flats and offices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis should fit any WW1 6.5mm Vetterli rifle of which there are still plenty to be found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 9 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge with Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 14 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 3 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 10 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43233655062597,"sku":"ONJR25JUHG99","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JUHG99__02.jpg?v=1753727960","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-italian-m1871-1915-vetterli-rifle-shortened-bayonet-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}