Vetterli rifle

Infobox Weapon
name= Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1869/70


caption=
origin= Switzerland
type= Service rifle
is_ranged=yes
service= 1869 – c. 1890
used_by= Swiss Army/Italian Army
wars=
designer= Johann-Friedrich Vetterli
design_date=
manufacturer=SIG and others
unit_cost=
production_date=
number= 36,700
spec_label=
weight= c. 4600 g
length= 1300 mm
part_length= 842 mm
cartridge= Rimfire cartridge
caliber= 10.4 mm (US: ".41 Swiss")
action= Bolt-action
rate=
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed= 11-round tubular magazine
sights= Iron sights ("Quadrantenvisier")

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" ( _en. repeating rifle, 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 variant procured by the Italian Army.

Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1871

Infobox Weapon
name= Repetiergewehr Vetterli, Modell 1871


is_ranged=yes
number= 77,300
spec_label=
weight= c. 4750 gEven 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

Infobox Weapon
name= Repetierstutzer Vetterli, Modell 1871


is_ranged=yes
number= 10,000
spec_label=
weight= 4600 g
length= 1260 mm
part_length= 783 mmThe "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" action and featured a shorter barrel.

Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner Vetterli, Modell 1871

Infobox Weapon
name= Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner Vetterli, Modell 1871


is_ranged=yes
manufacturer=W+F Bern, Pfenninger
number= c. 4,300
weight= 3300 g
length= 930 mm
part_length= 470 mm
feed= 6-round tubular magazineThe "Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner" ( _en. cavalry repeating carbine) 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

Infobox Weapon
name= Repetiergewehr and -stutzer Vetterli, Modell 1878 and 1881


caption=
is_ranged=yes
manufacturer=W+F Bern
unit_cost=
production_date=
number= 114,000 (rifle),
c. 11,000 (stutzer)
spec_label=
weight= c. 4700 g
length= 1325 mm
part_length= 843 mm
feed= 12-round tubular magazine

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.

A later 1881 variant of rifle and stutzer was equipped with an improved sight that allowed a practical range of up to 1,600 meters. Fact|date=August 2007

References

*
* [http://www.militaryrifles.com/Switzerland/SwissVet.htm Swiss Vetterli rifles] on "militaryrifles.com"

External links

* [http://www.oldrifles.com/Italian.htm Italian Vetterli rifles]