{"product_id":"original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-m1871-infantry-magazine-rifle-by-soc-ind-suisse-serial-no-85132-10-35-x-47mm","title":"Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1871 Infantry Magazine Rifle by Soc. Ind. Suisse Serial No 85132 - 10.35 x 47mm","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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. Later models after this changed over to the box Magazine found on most rifles of the WWI era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle is nicely maker marked on the left side of the receiver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e85132\u003cbr\u003eSOC. IND. SUISSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Swiss Cross)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSYST. VETTERLI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as \u003cem\u003eSociété Industrielle Suisse\u003c\/em\u003e in French and \u003cem\u003eSchweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft\u003c\/em\u003e in German, the name translates to \"Swiss Industrial Society\". This maker today is still in existence, as the SIG Neuhausern location of SIG Combibloc Group. Serial number \u003cstrong\u003e85132\u003c\/strong\u003e is found on the receiver above the maker mark, as well as on the left side of the barrel by the chamber and on the bottom of the carrier \/ feed block. The butt plate has suffered some oxidation, and we cannot see any serial number marked, and the rear sight is marked with \u003cstrong\u003e69\u003c\/strong\u003e, so we believe it may have been swapped out. There are additional proof marks on metal components of the rifle, which have a lovely aged patina. There is a bit of a matte texture on the upper receiver and rear of the bolt from past removed oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle has the correct two gas escape holes in receiver and 1000 Schritt rear sight for pre-1875 manufacture, which were removed in later examples. To accelerate the sluggish production of the Vetterli rifles, the federal authorities built a new arms factory in Berne, the \u003cem\u003eEidgenössische Waffenfabrik \u003c\/em\u003e(Federal arms factory or W+F), in 1875. When they started production, of the 1871, they made many simplifications, eventually leading to the model of 1878.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good 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. Wood stock is in very good condition, with the expected wear and dents of age. It has a beautiful light brown color with a nice patina, and there are Swiss proof marks stamped in various places. There are no missing chunks, cracks, or repairs that we can see in the stock wood. The rear sight works correctly, both sling swivels are present and move easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. It does not look to have seen any major use while in service. Cleaning rod is in good shape, and the threaded end is still intact, and screws into the stock correctly. The rifle cycles correctly, with the carrier block presenting, however we cannot guarantee that it will feed. The bolt has an intact double sided rimfire firing pin, which looks to be intact and functional, and the extractor on the top is present as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 with a lovely butt stock. The Swiss Vetterli rifle is one of the very first bolt-action \"repeating\" rifles and getting scarce to find today. Examples like this are getting very hard to find. Ready to add to your collection!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1871-1875\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 10.4×38mm Swiss\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 51 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 11 round internal tubular magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Vetterli rifle:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43372781862981,"sku":"ONJR25JYAS32","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JYAS32__02.jpg?v=1754949444","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-m1871-infantry-magazine-rifle-by-soc-ind-suisse-serial-no-85132-10-35-x-47mm","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}