+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    sm121072's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    02-05-2013 @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    3
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM

    Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87?

    Is this a correct identification of this rifle?

    Any resources available to find out more about it?

    Has stamps of BRESCIA 1879 and LR6615 on receiver.







    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:00 AM
    Brescia is one of the Italianicon manufacturers but the Vertteli's were used by a few other nations including the Swissicon. Beyond that, I know almost nothing about them, a little old for my interest. The internet is a real good source for research, not that it's always going to be accurate but it should be able to point you in the right direction at least.

    The Swiss rifles seem to be a lot more common than the Italian ones in my limited experience. I see them all the time at gun shows and there is a gun shop nearby that has two or three of them in.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel

    jmoore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-09-2023 @ 04:20 AM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    7,066
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:00 AM
    We used to call them "Gun Shop Herpes". Once the store had it, they could never get rid of it.

    Interesting rifles, but about the only book reference I recall is "Guns of the World". Had a breakdown of the various Swissicon rifles by model. Not all that detailed of a chapter.

    Some folk have converted these rifles to centerfire and have modified cartridge cases to fit. But that's about all I know.

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:00 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by sm121072 View Post
    Is this a correct identification of this rifle?
    Yes.

    Quote Originally Posted by sm121072 View Post
    Any resources available to find out more about it?
    Hardly any that I know of. Some mention of it is made in "Il Novantuno" by Wolfgang Riepe, in connection with the development of the 6.5mm Carcano. In WWI large numbers were converted to 6.5 Carcano by inserting a barrel sleeve, had lousy performance in this configuration, and the converted rifle was known to the Italians as "Il Terribile" - The Awful One - (Riepe P. 162), which does not hinder American and Germanicon sellers from advertising them as the "Garibaldi Rifle", which is a load of B-S.

    There was also a book "The Italianicon Vetterli System" by Robert Wilsey, published in 2007 by the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Seems to be sold out now. Try a search. ISBN 0948092599.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 09-27-2012 at 05:43 AM.

  7. Thank You to Patrick Chadwick For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Advisory Panel

    jmoore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-09-2023 @ 04:20 AM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    7,066
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:00 AM
    The only other rifle that I recall using the Vitalli magazine was the retrofitted Danishicon Beaumont.

  9. #6
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    sm121072's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    02-05-2013 @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    3
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the responses. Found this in my parents closet. Family lore had it as a Spanish American War Rifle. Haven't found any evidence that they were used in that conflict. Plan on taking it to a local gunsmith who is experienced with historic arms. If anything interesting is discovered, I will post the info.

  10. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Midmichigun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Last On
    01-10-2017 @ 10:06 PM
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    459
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    SM,
    I actually have a virtual duplicate of your rifle. I should dig it out a drop some photos here. Mine is an Italianicon Vet. converted to the 6.5mm during the mentioned WWI timeframe.

    I was cautioned about shooting it due to the liner, and possible failures therein. I did purchase "light load" 6.5mm for it, but never mustered up the guts to pull the trigger.

    I believe the bayonets are rather expensive, as I recall.

    I got it for the WWI aspect of collecting, and it sits next to my Beaumonts!

    I was told that they are worth MORE if they are NOT converted to 6.5mm. But as was hinted at, the interest level in the US really isn't here.

    BTW, as with all of my collection, I tag it with all the information that I can find, for future generations.

  11. #8
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    morsey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    06-23-2014 @ 05:26 PM
    Location
    Royal Leamington Spa, UK
    Posts
    2
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    hi,
    I am after a Vetterli Vitali as they are known preferrably with a hand imprinted on the stock as these were smuggled guns into Northern Ireland during the troubles around 1916 and are known as the Larne guns which is the port they were taken into. They stil come up occasionaly. Why would I want one of these? Well a battalion of the Britishicon Home Guard had a load brought over as they had no arms after Dunkirk and they were something rather than nothing! I collect the different weapons that the Home Guard used during WW2 hence I have Martini Henry carbines in the collection as well as Thompsons. If any one out there has a spare Smiths Gun I would happily pay you for it!!

  12. #9
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    sm121072's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    02-05-2013 @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    3
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Thread Starter
    Took the rifle to a few LGS in the area. One gunsmith suggested it would make a good lamp. Don't think I will take that route.

    Another (who only saw pictures) described it as one of the first assault rifles (multi shot due to addition of magazine), looked in good condition and was worth hanging on to if interested in collecting or displaying. Ammo would be hard to find. No a good candidate to try and shoot for this reason.

    Have 2 others in the area to contact. One is supposed to be well versed in antique firearms.

  13. #10
    Legacy Member HOOKED ON HISTORY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 06:06 PM
    Location
    MS/USA
    Posts
    3,991
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:00 AM
    Beautiful if only to hang above a mantle. Rather elegant looking.
    Last edited by HOOKED ON HISTORY; 10-08-2012 at 08:17 PM.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Italian Model 1889 revolver
    By RCS in forum Other Military Service Pistols and Revolvers
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-18-2012, 07:07 PM
  2. Vetterli accessories
    By daneugene in forum Swiss Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-16-2012, 03:03 PM
  3. If you have a Vetterli!
    By Latigo in forum Swiss Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-29-2011, 11:09 AM
  4. Vetterli Project
    By TRS4923 in forum .22 Smallbore
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-30-2009, 01:27 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks