This Vetterli M1878 M78/81 has had the rear sight retrofitted with the M1881 version. Almost all the M78 rifles would receive this retrofit. It is also worth noting that the Swiss were still marking M1881 rifles as M78 up until the late 1880s. Other than the difference in rear sight they are almost identical so this is either a M1878 with the rear sight retrofit or a M1881 marked M78.

Condition – very good

Metal – good finish but half lost through wear.

Wood – stock and fore-end very good, one long scratch, very good finish, minor wear, no splitting or cracks.

Receiver – good, minor wear, minor surface rust present.

Bore – fair to good, much fouling build up, pitting, very dirty, rifling distinct but highly worn.

Function – very good, smooth action, all parts function mechanically as they should

Includes cleaning rod

This rifle has not been test fired by us. This is an ANTIQUE rifle and as such a consultation with a reputable gunsmith should be had before attempting to fire.

The Vetterli rifle is a rifle designed in Switzerland for the Swiss Army. The Vetterli family of rifles was used in service from 1869 until 1889. These rifles were replaced by the famous Schmidt Rubin series of rifles. Modified Vetterlis saw use by the Italian Army well into the First World War. The Italians modified Vetterlis heavily.

The Swiss Vetterli rifles combined the American design of the Winchester Model 1866 tubular magazine with a regular locking bolt which for the first time has two opposed rear locking lugs. This was a major innovation compared to the Dreyse and Chassepolt bolt actions which were the main firearms for many armed forces at the time. The Vetterli was also the first repeating bolt action that featured a cocking action and a small caliber bore in an intermediate round.

At the federal level the Swiss issued a decision in 1866 to equip their army with a breech loading repeating rifle. Vetterli rifles at the time of their introduction were the most advanced rifles in Europe. These rifles replaced the Eidgenossischer Stutzer 1851, an Amsler-Milbank.

The Vetterli Rifles would see a number of changes between 1869 to 1881. In typical Swiss fashion older models were often updated to the most recent configuration. They would eventually be replaced by the famous Schmidt Rubin series of rifles beginning in 1889.

186570 (SN#) – left side receiver, left side rear barrel

570 – bottom front trigger plate, rear bolt sleeve, top butt plate

WAFFENFABRIK BERN (Maker) – left side receiver

M.78 – left side receiver

Assorted Proof and Acceptance Marks- receiver, barrel bands, stock