Vetterli Model 1870/87 Rifle Caliber 10.4x47mmR – Warehouse Clearance Special!

They got me again. I get daily emails from RTI and I usually glance at them and delete them. I'm not buying one of their B grade rifles, nothing but trash.

But, they finally put these on their clearance special for $199.00 and I couldn't pass it up. I think that's a $200 cut in price. B-grade if you want it (I DO NOT RECOMMEND) are $149. They don't have a rear sight, good luck with that.

Yes, it will be beat up, it might be missing a couple of small parts, but I do enjoy challenges and enjoy the restoration process.

I also ordered the cleaning rod so it will at least have that.

This is what my carbine from them looked like before and after:

https://i.imgur.com/KpHhjew.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/c4u230q.jpg

And the generic photo on their website for the rifle:

https://i.imgur.com/2FZjRej.jpg

It looks good now its worth 299.00 lolol

Rifle came today in an intact box that hardly had any damage to it. I was amazed.

I'm pretty happy with it. Out of the box, it's covered in crud but it has minimal rust on it. Worst rust is on the interior trigger mechanism and the interior of the magazine. Barrel is pretty decent, no pitting to speak of even under the wood line.

It's an early conversion. It has the stock bolts running through the sides. These also hold the magazine in place which has me wondering what holds it in the later conversion because I don't remember anything in there. Just tight fit and then the barreled receiver holds it I guess.

No AOI on this one but there might be the remnants of a cartouche on the other side. Have to wait till cleaning to tell.

Bore is nice, strong rifling, pretty shiny without being well cleaned. Can't tell if there's pitting or not but doesn't look like much if there is any.

No wire brushing on this one so I have lots of cleaning to do. Expose metal probably has no finish on it, looks like the usual Ethiopian sandblasted texture under a layer of grime

One broken part, the middle barrel band sling swivel and since it has those special screws, I need to get the entire piece but already have one on the way.

https://i.imgur.com/XqQMyKC.jpg

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https://i.imgur.com/pjmXRuO.jpg

Steam Punk. Neat project.

Barrel and action and stock are now cleaned. No pitting at all on the barrel or action, not much finish left either. Receiver was in the white so I'll leave it that way. Barrel I'll probably cold blue.

Stock does not have a cartouche; it has a small drawing/carving by I suspect an Ethiopian soldier.

Now for the 20-30 small parts.

Cleaned and put back together. Still thinking about rebluing it or not. No real pitting on it anywhere so it's a good candidate for that, just needs a lot more polishing if that's the direction I decide to go.

Light stock is before BLO, dark is one coat.

The last photo is the drawing I mistook for a cartouche.

https://i.imgur.com/EU2Znvh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6RVzakI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5gWqCd0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jMvRIgd.jpg

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https://i.imgur.com/EVjIYC8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ulg5gcp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/66yo0hy.jpg

Looks much better now...

Could not have done better. Great results!

My middle barrel band came today so it's now complete. Nicest looking part on the entire rifle.

With the arrival of the barrel band, I decided to cold blue the barrel and the bottom plate and magazine. The barrel and magazine took it pretty well, the bottom plate not so much so I might do something more with that. Left the action and bolt alone for now. Some of them were left in the white even when the rest was blued and they aren't as blotchy as the barrel was. They are more a uniform brown.

Very nice piece of work. Its amazing what a little bit of work, attention to detail and love will accomplish.