Help! What is it?

[MP301]

EDIT: More pics starting with post #14.... Anyone know the value?


Ok, I ended up with this rifle and know nothing about it. Here are a couple of Pics. Any info, including value (as I may sell or trade it) would be greatly appreciated!

[mosinnagantm9130]

It looks like a Swiss Vetterli. Somebody on here will know alot more about that rifle than I do.

[TRAP55]

It looks like a Swiss Vetterli. Somebody on here will know alot more about that rifle than I do.

Yep. Check the caliber/chambering, the original was in .41 Swiss. The Italians bought a bunch in a single shot version chambered for 10.?x47r, and then a bunch of those were barrel lined and chambered for the 6.5 Carcano.

[pitfighter]

It is a VERY nice condition Swiss Vettereli.
I have seen MANY for sale recently, in the $150 to $300 range but none of them were in as nice condition as yours.

In fact, I don't think I have seen one in that nice a condition.
"Surplus Firearms" magazine (Same publishers as Guns & Ammo - gunsandammo.com) wrote up a great overall review and field-test, and even hand-loaded custom ammunition for a firing appraisal.

I am sure there is a collector salivating over one in that condition.

Pit.

[nick]

It's a Swiss Vetterli M1878. As the poster above said, check the caliber. The original caliber was .41 Swiss rimfire (next to impossible to find now). However, there're bolt conversions out there to convert it into .41 Swiss centerfire, which can still be found, and if you reload, Grafs sells the brass for it.

Cool tube mag, isn't it?

As for the value, I've no idea. I got mine for $175 half a year ago or so. I haven't seen enough of them for sale to get the idea of what the going price is. Looking at Gunbroker, the prices are all over the place.

[nick]

It is a VERY nice condition Swiss Vettereli.
I have seen MANY for sale recently, in the $150 to $300 range but none of them were in as nice condition as yours.

In fact, I don't think I have seen one in that nice a condition.
"Surplus Firearms" magazine (Same publishers as Guns & Ammo - gunsandammo.com) wrote up a great overall review and field-test, and even hand-loaded custom ammunition for a firing appraisal.

I am sure there is a collector salivating over one in that condition.

Pit.

I have seen one in as good a condition, although mine comes with a bit of an embellishment. I guess, some people get bored when they leave the military...

[1-M-42]

Simpsons has a few, ranging from $200 to $995 for a single shot cadet version. Check them out at www.simpsonltd.com

[MP301]

Thanks for all of the responses.

I have been researching this since i posted it and am getting some info although there is some conflicting stuff as far as dates.

One swiss rifle sight says 1875 andother says 1869-1871?

The funny part is, I am surprised that it is this old considering the condition. And the pictures do not do the rifle justice. Ill post more later.

I have looked at many pictures and cannot seem to find an exact match...real close, but not exact. There is usually something different like the rear sight or stock checkering or trigger guard or something.

It seems its relatively easy and inexpensive to convert from .41 rimfire to .41 centerfire, but I bet the ammo is still expensive.

I am not sure what I am going to do with this. Its in such nice condition, and I dont have a bolt gun, and I can convert it to centerfire, but how accurate could a rifle like this be? How good of a cartridge is a .41 swiss centerfire?

Anyway, if I do decide to sell it, Ill let everyone know in this thread when I start a for sale thread in the classified section.

[nick]

M1871 looks like a close match to yours:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=15003&osCsid=9f563b1578f1f1ee1d0c92947accc250

[pitfighter]

Nice woodwork, Nick.

MP301 - they are supposedly quite accurate, it would depend on the ammo of course.
Good luck with it.

I say don't sell anything, trade and build your collection, but that's just me.

Pit.

[MP301]

M1871 looks like a close match to yours:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...0c92947accc250

Looks close.

I think Ill dig it out and take some better pics (thoise other pics were just quickie on the fly crappy ones) and post them today and see if we can find an exact match.

[1-M-42]

Try these places. Swiss rifle message board is, without a doubt, the best place for info...

http://www.swissrifles.com/

http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/forums/4/Vetterli-Rifles#.T8PhtiPXHJw

http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/

Also, contact Latigo on the Calguns site, he's probably the person with the most info on Swiss rifles on our site

[MP301]

More Pics.....

Well, curiousity was getting the better of me, so I had to dig out the rifle and take a bunch more pics. I am glad I did, because I learned some new stuff.

For Example, one of the reasons I could not find an exact match was because this rifle has been modified. There is no cleaning rod and I remember pics of others have them.





It is in remarkable condition.






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[MP301]

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More numbers.....

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Some Symbles and more numbers.......











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