Original Item: Only One Available. In 1867, the Swiss military adopted the 10.4×38mmR Rimfire cartridge, keeping pace with the rest of the world, who were also adopting the first generation of widely issued metallic cartridge firearms. This coincided with the release of their first repeating military rifle, the Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1867. As with other countries, they also moved to modernize their percussion rifles by converting them to single shot breech loaders, and in this case they chose the Milbank-Amsler system for the conversions.

This system was originally designed by American Isaac Milbank and later refined and perfected by Rudolf Amsler in Switzerland. The conversion was originally approved for Swiss army issue in May 1867, and all of the Amsler conversions were later designated "abgeandert 1867" (modification of 1867). When converted, the M1856 Jäger short rifle became the M1856/67 Jägergewehr, the M1863 Infantry rifle became the M1863/67 Infanteriegewehr and the 1851 and 1864 Stutzer rifles became M1851/67 and M1864/67 Stutzer rifles, respectively. No fewer than Twenty separate gunmakers took part in the Swiss army conversion program, making each a great research opportunity due to the large number of markings on them.

This is a very nice patinated example of the Swiss Infanteriegewehr M1863/67 Infantry rifle, converted from percussion to breechloading using the Milbank-Amsler system. It is marked VAUD 4473 on the top of the chamber, which could be the company that converted it it, but also might be the serial number. There is a faint marking on the left facet of the barrel, as well as lots of proofs, assembly numbers, and other markings all over the various components of the trapdoor style breech. This is opened by cocking the hammer, and pulling up on the lever at the rear of the breech. This unlocked the breech and allows it to open, though we think that there is a spring missing that would make the lever return to the down position when released.

As with other designs, it has a floating firing pin within the breech, and there is an ejector / extractor on the right side, actuated by moving the breech forward, as with a Springfield trapdoor. The lock has been modified form when it was a percussion arm with a new hammer, and also the tumbler has been adjusted to have only a fully cocked position, probably because the half cock is somewhat redundant in this kind of system. It is fitted with a short rear sight which is mostly identical to those used on the Vetterli M1867 rifles.

This example is in very good shape, with a lovely worn patina on the metalwork, and a stock that looks to have been reconditioned at some point in the 20th century. The breech mechanism looks to work correctly, however we do not know if it still has the ability to eject spent cartridges. We checked the bore, and it shows strong rifling with a partly bright finish, not looking to have seen much use since conversion, but it was also probably not cleaned correctly after the last time it was used, as there is definitely some past fouling and corrosion in the bore. There is a cleaning rod under the barrel, but it looks like it might be for a Swiss Vetterli, and not this rifle.

A very interesting cartridge converted Swiss Rifle, the first example that we have ever had! Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1863-1867 - Converted late 1860s.
Caliber: 10.4×38mm Swiss
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 36 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 54 1/4 Inches
Action type: Hinged Breechblock with side action lock.
Feed System: Single Shot

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.