Vetterli Waffenfabrik M81

[marathonman]

My brother just gave me one of these:

http://www.schiferli.net/Vetterli.htm

Does anyone have any comments about this rifle? I know I can't find ammo for it and I think it is just a curiosity at this point.

[renardsubtil]

Swiss rifles dot com is a wealth of information and they have a couple resident Swiss nationals who frequent the forum, I'm sure one of them can dig you up some ammo - SWEET rifle though man, nice catch.

-M

[sb_pete]

Wow, those are sweet looking rifles.

You may find more information about them and more people able to answer your questions on these other forums and webpages though

Swissrifles.com

Swiss Rifles Message Board

Swiss Rifles Message Board - Veterelli Rifle Forum

Curio An Relic Firearms Forum - Swiss Rifles Section

Hawkster's Swiss rifle page

Hope that helps.
Also - POST SOME PICS for the rest of us man!

-Pete

[sb_pete]

Nobody makes ammunition for it, but here is a page with info on how to convert it to centerfire and shoot lead bullets out of modified .348 Winchester Brass.

Also, check the links at the bottom of the page you originally linked to - some good info there too.

HTH,
-Pete

[marathonman]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42691060@N00/3057802166/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42691060@N00/3056965739/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42691060@N00/3056965847/sizes/l/

Wow, you guys really know your stuff! I just joined the forum. Thanks for the help.

My trigger guard is broken, so I asked the Swiss Rifle Forum for ideas.

[Spiggy]

*whimper* i want *puppy eyes*

[sb_pete]

*whimper* i want *puppy eyes*

+1
aww, man, that is heart sinking. The rest of it is in such beautiful shape too.

Looks like you have a nice rifle there. The trigger guard could be repaired with the right solder or adhesive (ask a gunsmith) and some touchup bluing. If you have the broken part anyways. If not, I'm sure the right person could cut a part and solder it in and reblue it, but it would not be good for value.

Those rifles look so cool, I really don't know what I would do in your shoes. I would be seriously tempted to make a cosmetic fix to the trigger guard and then convert it to centerfire. That rifle would get LOTS of attention at the range.

It also would make a nice wall hanger and will eventually start to appreciate in value. I've never been a collector of things I don't actually use though, so I don't know what to tell ya.

Good luck and enjoy the rifle!
-Pete

[Sampachi]

I have a Model 71. They are neat, but I still haven't shot mine yet.
Lee makes some reloading dies if you want to do the centerfire conversion on them.

[Spiggy]

seriously dude, been like 2 years since I last saw one and I didn't get it

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Ok, Gad custom cartridges does a conversion for $50. He also makes ammo for them, and you can get cases from him or buffalo arms. I just took mine out shooting last week. They are fun to shoot. They go bang real good, and the recoil is next to nothing. I may drag it down to Texas for hogs one of these days.
-Mb

[marathonman]

Hi MonkeyBoy,

I found this on Gad custom cartridges :
41 Swiss Rimfire / Center Fire
41 Swiss Rimfire/Center Fire

* Convert your Bolt $50.00
* Ammo (Black or Smokeless) $25.00 Per 20
* Cases $20.00 Per 20
* Bullets $12.50 Per 100
* Load your brass $10.00 Per 20

Is this what you did?

THanks

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Yup

Yes, that is what I did. However, be warned. Bernold (the old curmudgeon that works there) is a tad grumpy, and doesn't like email. And the prices on the website are a bit out of date for the bullets. Call him first, and talk to him directly. Also, grafs and midway both sell the bullets on their website, but not in their catalogs. You want a lead .430" (.44 spl/mag size) bullet weighing at least 310 grains. The bullets I got from gad shoot ok. But they look like a beaver chewed them to shape. His reloaded cartridges use the same ugly bullets, but they go bang every time. Mine shoots high and to the right, so I will have to tinker with it or figure out the Kentucky windage on it before I take it out hunting. But at 30-40 yards from a tree stand, it should work just fine.

-Mb