{"product_id":"original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-m1871-magazine-rifle-by-waffenfabrik-bern-serial-124115-10-4x38mm","title":"Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1871 Magazine Rifle by Waffenfabrik Bern Serial 124115 - 10.4×38mm","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.\u003cspan\u003e Later models after this changed over to the box Magazine found on most rifles of the WWI era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo 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 (W+F), in 1875. This factory is usually thought to have started with the M1878 variant of the Vetterli rifle, however this is definitely an M1871 model, with some of the improvements on the M1878 already implemented. The rifle has the correct two gas escape holes in receiver and 1000 Schritt rear sight as seen on pre-1875 manufacture, which were removed in later examples. Definitely an interesting piece of history!\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\u003e+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWAFFENFABRIK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBERN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e124115\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e124115 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eis found on the receiver below the maker mark, as well as on the chamber end of the barrel and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e115\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e on the bottom of the feed block\/ejector, sight base, and on the butt plate. This is also stamped on both barrel bands and the nose cap. There are additional proof marks on metal components of the rifle, as well as some on the stock. \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. The metalwork shows a lovely mottled gray patina, faded from the original bluing due to wear and cleaning. The wood stock is in very good condition, with the usual dents and scrapes from service, with a few stains. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some oxidation and fouling near the muzzle, and also signs of past cleaning, so this rifle did see a good amount of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cleaning rod is present, with the threaded end intact, and still threads correctly into the stock. The action cycles well, with the carrier block moving correctly, as intended, though overall the bolt is a bit stiff at times. The U-shaped striker for the rimfire ammunition is present and functional.\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, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHonest used examples like this are getting very hard to find. Ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYears of Manufacture:  1875-1878\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 10.4×38mm Swiss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 51 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 11 round internal tubular magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistory 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.\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.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE: \u003c\/strong\u003eInternational 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":41847330996293,"sku":"ONSV24SOS226","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24SOS226__01.jpg?v=1721230570","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-m1871-magazine-rifle-by-waffenfabrik-bern-serial-124115-10-4x38mm","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}