{"product_id":"original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-model-1871-infantry-rifle-by-valentin-sauerbrey-of-basel-serial-no-107828","title":"Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr Model 1871 Infantry Rifle by Valentin Sauerbrey of Basel, Serial No. 107828","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original Swiss Model 1871 Vetterli repeating infantry rifle in 10.4mm Swiss Rimfire, manufactured by the uncommon private contractor Valentin Sauerbrey of Basel. Serial number \u003cstrong\u003e107828\u003c\/strong\u003e is present on the receiver, barrel, butt stock, and faintly on the fore end, giving this example a particularly desirable group of matching numbered components. It retains the early under barrel tubular magazine system, double sided rimfire firing pin, two receiver gas escape holes, and early pattern rear sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroduced 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, and many existing Model 1869 rifles had them removed. It also featured strengthened barrel rings and a much thicker and sturdier rear sight leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle is marked on the left side of the receiver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eV. SAUERBREY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIN BASEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e107828\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValentin Sauerbrey was a Basel gunmaker involved in Swiss ordnance work before establishment of the federal arms factory at Bern. Surviving records indicate that approximately 5,000 Model 1869\/71 and Model 1871 Vetterli rifles were produced or assembled under Sauerbrey at the Basel arsenal, making his marked rifles a distinctly less common contractor variation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe matching serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e107828\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eis found on the receiver beneath the maker marking, at the chamber end of the barrel, on the right side of the butt stock, and faintly on the right side of the fore end. There is also a 28 stamped onto the right side of the nose cap, however the bolt is marked with \u003cstrong\u003e3817\u003c\/strong\u003e on the left side, with \u003cstrong\u003e17\u003c\/strong\u003e on the cocking handle, so it is non-matching. Additional Swiss inspection and proof markings are present on various metal and wood components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver retains the two gas escape holes characteristic of the earlier production configuration. The rifle is also fitted with an early rear sight graduated to 1,000 Schritt. These features are consistent with an early contractor produced Vetterli predating the simplified rifles manufactured at the federal factory in Bern beginning in the mid 1870s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduction of the early Vetterli rifles was divided among several private contractors. In 1875 the Swiss federal government established the \u003cem\u003eEidgenössische Waffenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e at Bern to increase and standardize arms production. Subsequent Vetterli developments led to the Model 1878 and Model 1881, both of which continued to use the characteristic under barrel tubular magazine before the Vetterli family was ultimately superseded by the Schmidt-Rubin system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good for a service used early repeating rifle. The metalwork shows an even combination of staining, age patina, and areas of old oxidation, which have been left largely intact rather than aggressively cleaned. The rear sight remains present and operates correctly. The cleaning rod is missing, and both sling swivels have been removed. The former swivel inlet on the underside of the butt stock has been filled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt action cycles correctly in its present condition, though a firm rearward pull is required to operate the cartridge elevator and ejector mechanism. The original double sided rimfire firing pin remains present and moves correctly. The magazine feeding system has not been tested, so no representation is made regarding its ability to feed cartridges. These observations describe only the rifle’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore retains visible rifling, with portions still showing some brightness, but is predominantly dark from substantial old fouling and oxidation. There are areas of previous peppering and pitting, consistent with considerable use and incomplete cleaning during its service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stocks remain in very good overall condition with expected dents, handling wear, and staining adjacent to the metal fittings. There is evidence of past cleaning, particularly on the left side of the butt stock, where the wood is noticeably lighter. Some attractive flame figuring is visible in this area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its uncommon V. SAUERBREY \/ IN BASEL contractor marking, matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e107828\u003c\/strong\u003e on multiple major components, early receiver features, tubular magazine system, surviving double sided rimfire firing pin, and substantial original service character, this is an appealing example of the early Swiss Vetterli repeating rifle. The missing cleaning rod and sling swivels, filled stock inlet, dark fouled bore, oxidation, pitting, and evidence of past stock cleaning are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Swiss military rifle, early bolt action repeater, Valentin Sauerbrey, European service arm, or advanced 19th century firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1871-1874\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaker: Valentin Sauerbrey\u003cbr\u003eModel: Repetiergewehr M1871\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 107828\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\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Vetterli rifle:\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\/span\u003e\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":45752164843589,"sku":"ONJR25SEM87","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25SEM87.jpg?v=1789406830","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-swiss-vetterli-repetiergewehr-model-1871-infantry-rifle-by-valentin-sauerbrey-of-basel-serial-no-107828","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}