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Vetterli rifle
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The Vetterli rifles were a series of Swiss army service rifles in use from 1869 to circa 1890, when they were replaced with the Schmidt-Rubin rifles. Modified Vetterli rifles were also used by the Italian Army.
The Swiss Vetterli rifles combined the American M1866 Winchester rifle's tubular magazine and a bolt system derived from the German Dreyse needle gun. They were also the first repeating rifle to feature a self-cocking action and a small caliber.
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Encyclopedia
The Vetterli rifles were a series of Swiss army service rifles in use from 1869 to circa 1890, when they were replaced with the Schmidt-Rubin rifles. Modified Vetterli rifles were also used by the Italian Army.
The Swiss Vetterli rifles combined the American M1866 Winchester rifle's tubular magazine and a bolt system derived from the German Dreyse needle gun. They were also the first repeating rifle to feature a self-cocking action and a small caliber. 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.
Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1869/70
The 1869 Repetiergewehr Vetterli was the first iteration of Vetterli rifles. It was designed by Johann-Friedrich Vetterli (1822–1882), a Swiss riflemaker, who worked in France and England before becoming director of the Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft's armament factory in Neuhausen. He also adapted his rifle into a single-shot centerfire variant procured by the Italian Army.
Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1871
Even while manufacture of the M1869/70 was underway, a new 1871 model was put into production. It omitted some redundant parts and featured a modified sight as well as a stronger barrel and stronger iron hoops.
Repetierstutzer Vetterli, Modell 1871
The Stutzer (carbine) variant of the 1871 rifle was used to equip the Scharfschützen (sniper) companies of the army. The Stutzer were equipped with a sensitive Stecher (double set trigger) action and featured a shorter barrel.
Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner Vetterli, Modell 1871
The Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner was another shortened variant of the 1871 rifle for use by the cavalry, which at that time was still armed with percussion pistols.
Repetiergewehr and -stutzer Vetterli, Modell 1878 and 1881
To accelerate the sluggish production of the Vetterli rifles, the federal authorities built a new arms factory in Berne, the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (W+F), in 1875. That factory produced the 1878 variant of the Vetterli rifle. Its some 25 improvements included a new bayonet and lug, improved sights and a finger hook on the trigger cover. An Stutzer variant with a Stecher action, but otherwise identical to the rifle, was also produced.
M1870 Italian Vetterli
The Italian Army adopted the Vetterli design, albeit in a more economical single-shot form, in 1870.
M1870/87 Italian Vetterli
In 1887, the Italian military updated its single-shot Model 1870 Vetterli rifles with a four-round Vitali box magazine.
M1870/87/15 Italian Vetterli
During World War I, like many nations Italy faced a shortage of modern infantry rifles. As an emergency measure, many Vetterli Vitali rifles were converted to fire the 6.5x52mm Carcano round, adding a 6.5mm barrel lining and a Carcano-style magazine. These conversions are not considered safe to fire with standard 6.5x52mm loads.
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