Original Swiss Rare Vetterli M1869 Civilian Sharpshooter Magazine Rifle in 10.4mm Centerfire by Soc. Ind. Suisse with Set Trigger and Bayonet

Original Item: Only One Available. Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system utilized the "Winchester" tube magazine system for cartridge storage under the barrel. Designed by Swiss designer Johann Friedrich Vetterli, 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. Existing model 1869 rifles usually had the loading gate and cutoff removed, and were designated the model 1869/71, and are identified by the holes on both sides of the receiver where the loading gate and cutoff would mount. Later models after this changed over to the box Magazine found on most rifles of the WWI era.

This example is a very interesting one, as it is one made for Civilian use, not military use, and while it is a long rifle like the "Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1869", it features the sensitive Stecher (double set trigger) of the Repetierstutzer Vetterli, designed for Scharfschützen (sharpshooter) companies of the army. It definitely was originally made as a Model 1869, and while it still retains the loading gate, the cutoff was removed from the left side, or possibly never installed. We can however see the inlet on the bottom of the carrier block where it would have been, so most likely it was modified at SIG, or was made during the transition. We also noted that unlike most Swiss Vetterlis, it has been converted to use centerfire cartridges, not rimfire. Additionally, the butt stock is very similar to those seen on high end Schützen target rifles, fitted with a highly curved butt stock that would securely go around the shoulder.

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

SOC. IND. SUISSE
(Swiss Cross)
SYST. VETTERLIN

Known as Société Industrielle Suisse in French and Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft 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. There is no serial number marked anywhere on the rifle, and as one made for Civilians, it does not have most of the Swiss proofs we would usually see on these rifles.

The 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 Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (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

Offered 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 nice brown color with great grain, showing the expected damage from use and age. It looks to have been varnished, probably from the factory, which is still very well retained, even in high wear areas.

The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear and past oxidation, now removed, and it was definitely well cared for. The rifle cycles correctly and dry fires, and we did not notice any mechanical issues, though we have no way to test to see if it feeds properly. The metalwork has a very nice aged patina to it, with the original finish still present in areas. Both sling swivels are present and moveable, and the original cleaning rod is present and in lovely condition.

The included bayonet is in very good condition. still showing much of the original bluing in the flutes of the blade, while the rest displays a lightly oxidized patina. It locks correctly onto the muzzle of the rifle, and is marked with serial 100477. Please note it may require some wiggling to get it onto the muzzle.

The Vetterli was a Swiss design ahead of its time but was soon outclassed by the German Mauser 1871/84 magazine Rifle. The Swiss Vetterli rifle is one of the very first bolt-action "repeating" rifles and getting scarce to find today. This rare Civilian Sharpshooter version is one of the rarest variants seen, and is the only example that we ever had in this configuration. Usually the Stecher set triggers are only seen on the shorter Stutzer rifles. Complete with a bayonet, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1869-71
Caliber: 10.4mm Swiss
Cartridge Type: Center Cartridge (Converted)
Barrel Length: 33 inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 11 round internal tubular magazine

Specifications (Bayonet):-

Blade length: 19”
Blade style: Cruciform "Épée"
Socket Length: 2 5/8"
Overall length: 21 3/4”

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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