Gun Collectors Dream Auction #73 Mixed Guns
Lot 261:
Up Next We Have an antique Swiss Vetterli Model 1869/71 Bolt Action Military Rifle, Swiss inventor and gun maker Johann-Friedrich Vetterli designed this rifle. It was a very early bolt action design that combined the tubular magazine and lifter design from the Winchester 1866. The years leading up to the 20th Century were characterized by rapidly progressing small arms designs, especially those for bolt action rifles, but for a short period of time, the Vetterli could claim the title for most advanced.
This Swiss military rifle held 12 10.4x38mm rimfire cartridges, giving it a lot of firepower. The wood stock is in two pieces, with the forearm containing and protecting the magazine tube. The portion just forward of the receiver is simply checkered in a grid-like fashion for grip. Many parts on this rifle are marked in some manner by government inspectors.
Model 1869/71 Vetterli Barrel Length: 33.1inches
Overall Length: 51.2 inches
Weight: 10.4 lbs empty
Chambering: 10.4×38 (.41) Swiss Rimfire
Rifling: 4 groove, RH twist, 1 in 26″
Velocity: 1425 fps
Capacity: 12 (11 round tubular magazine +1 in the chamber)
In 1871 the Model 1869 was updated with an improved elevator system and simplified receiver. The loading gate was omitted as was the magazine cut-off, which had previously appeared on the left side of the receiver. Over the course of it’s production life, several other modifications were made to the Model 1869/71. The modifications include tighter barrel tolerances, the omission of the ejection port cover, improvements of the front and rear sights, and the omission of the gas escape holes above the chamber.
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