Swiss Vetterli Rifle 10.4mm

Model 1871 Vetterli Rifle, caliber 10.4MM. This was the world's first repeating bolt action military rifle, with a 10 round tubular magazine, loaded through a gate on the right side of the receiver. Cartridges are lifted from the magazine by a lifter patterned after the Henry lever action rifle. Originally a rimfire, this rifle was converted by the owner to center fire, and cases are formed from 8MM Lebel cases. The original cartridges were loaded with heel type bullets, as in the .22 rimfire, and the O.D. of the neck of the case was the same as the bullet. In order to use standard bullets, the neck area of the chamber was opened up by about .015". The load consists of .430" dia. Hornady Swaged 240 grain .44 bullets with 9 grains of Alliant Unique. For more info see: http://www.militaryrifles.com/Switzerland/SwissVet.htm

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• rifles
• shooting
• target shooting
• military rifles
• shooting sports
• walnut creek rifle club

[apower18]

I just picked one up myself, and converted to centerfire, great rifle to add to the collection.

I love the steaming mug of coffee (?) on the table, hehehe.

[WalnutCreekRifleClub]

@apower18

You are a keen observer. I never noticed the steam and I was the shooter. And yes, coffee it is.

[swissgreni14]

cal?

[WalnutCreekRifleClub]

@swissgreni14 It is 10.4 x 38 rimfire. I converted mine to centerfire, and make cases from 8mm Lebel cases by trimming and fire forming.

[JohnnyOfast]

Haha, I thought there'd be a ton of recoil but at almost 10 lbs it's pretty steady. When you hold that up to shoot you know you're holding something. I saw a rough one go for $400. mines mint except a chip in the stock.

[WalnutCreekRifleClub]

I paid $125 for mine maybe 10 years ago. It was quite nice until I rolled my van over trying to miss a deer and took a few dings out of the stock as it flew around in the back.

[TheGorillatavern]

My dad is selling one of those

[kvn8907]

It's hard to imagine that this weapon was invented only six years after the end of the American Civil War, a war fought almost entirely with muzzle-loading rifles, muskets, and shotguns.

[JohnnyOfast]

Ooops,, mines the converted model /87

[Treblaine]

Switzerland has some of the most liberal gun laws in the world, even rivalling America in the citizen's right to keep and bear arms.