Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional and highly appealing example of the Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr Model 1878 Magazine Rifle, manufactured by Waffenfabrik Bern and chambered for the 10.4×38mm Swiss rimfire cartridge. Serial number 168041, this rifle remains in excellent condition and represents one of the most advanced military arms of the 19th century.

Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system was revolutionary for its time, combining bolt-action operation with a tubular magazine system inspired by the Winchester. At a time when many European armies were still fielding single-shot rifles, the Swiss Vetterli gave the soldier a true repeating military rifle. The original 1867 model used an external hammer similar to a Winchester, but in 1868 this was changed to an internal cocking bolt spring. The cleaning rod was initially moved to the side of the rifle, but this proved problematic, so the Model 1869 returned it 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 redundant, leading to the simplified Model 1871, which also introduced strengthened barrel rings and a much thicker, sturdier rear sight leaf.

To accelerate the slow production of the Vetterli rifles, the Swiss federal authorities established the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, or W+F, in Bern in 1875. This new national arms factory began production with the improved Model 1878 variant. The M1878 incorporated approximately 25 improvements, including a new bayonet and lug, improved sights, and a distinctive finger hook on the trigger cover.

This excellent condition rifle is nicely marked on the left side of the receiver:

✚
WAFFENFABRIK
BERN
168041
M.78

Serial number 168041 appears on the receiver below the maker marking, as well as on the chamber end of the barrel. The shortened number 41 or 041 is also found on the left side of the bolt, bottom of the carrier block/ejector, sight base and leaf, nose cap, trigger, butt plate, and possibly elsewhere. Additional proof markings appear on various metal components and on the stock, many bearing the Swiss Geneva Cross marking. One such stock marking is D5✚C1 on the spine of the butt stock, believed to correspond to specific inspectors of the period. Additional markings are present on the top and bottom of the butt stock, possibly unit numbers.

This rifle is especially impressive when viewed in the broader context of 19th-century military arms development. The M1878 Vetterli was in service during the same era as Britain’s legendary Martini-Henry single-shot rifle, introduced in 1871 and not replaced by a magazine rifle until 1888. While the Martini-Henry and many other contemporary military rifles still offered only one shot before reloading, the Swiss Vetterli provided an 11-round internal tubular magazine, making it one of the earliest and most forward-thinking bolt-action repeating military rifles ever adopted.

The metalwork on this example is in excellent condition, retaining its original blued finish very well. There is some honest wear around the edges and on less protected areas such as the bolt handle, but the overall appearance is outstanding. This has the look of a rifle that was carefully maintained during its service life and then stored for many decades in excellent conditions.

The stock is also excellent, showing only light wear from storage and use, including scattered scratches, small dents, and normal handling marks. Both sling swivels are present and move easily. The original cleaning rod is still present and unthreads easily from the stock for removal, though it does show some oxidation on the bright steel.

The bore is truly remarkable and is in excellent condition, as close to mint as they come. The finish is mirror bright, and the lands and grooves are crisp, with no visible signs of wear or past oxidation. This is a major highlight of the rifle and makes it especially desirable for collectors seeking a high-condition example.

The action cycles well, with a smooth bolt and a crisp dry fire, though it can be slightly stiff due to dried grease. The carrier block properly presents, although we cannot guarantee that it will feed ammunition. The bolt retains its intact double-sided firing pin for rimfire ammunition, and the extractor is present as well.

The Vetterli was an Italian design far ahead of its time, though it was eventually surpassed by later magazine rifles such as the German Mauser 1871/84. Even so, the Swiss Vetterli remains one of the most important transitional military rifles of the 19th century, bridging the gap between single-shot black powder arms and the repeating bolt-action rifles that would dominate modern warfare.

Overall, this is a fantastic, high-condition example of a Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern M1878 Vetterli Magazine Rifle, with matching numbered components, strong original finish, excellent markings, intact cleaning rod, smooth action, and a superb near-mint bore. Examples this well preserved are increasingly difficult to find, especially without signs of restoration.

A scarce and historically important early repeating military rifle, ready to take its place in an advanced collection of 19th-century antique arms.

Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: 1878–1881
Caliber: 10.4×38mm Swiss
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 51 inches
Action Type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 11-round internal tubular magazine

History 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.

The 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.

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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.