1869/71 ostschweiz questions

[RCEMERalf]

I am posting some pictures of my 1869/71 by Ost-Schweizerische Buchsenmacher, St. Gallen. I have identified it at swissrifles.com. That site lists the end of 1869 production by that maker at 156xx and beginning of 1869/71 at 166xx. Mine at 15873 falls between. Also the swept back bolt handle seems different from most. Any enlightenment appreciated.

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[Uncle Ray]

I am posting some pictures of my 1869/71 by Ost-Schweizerische Buchsenmacher, St. Gallen. I have identified it at swissrifles.com. That site lists the end of 1869 production by that maker at 156xx and beginning of 1869/71 at 166xx. Mine at 15873 falls between. Also the swept back bolt handle seems different from most. Any enlightenment appreciated.

RCEMERalf,

You could have knocked me over with a feather when reading your posting. I have the exact shaped bolt handle!

My rifle is an''SIG Neuhausen'' production S/N just under 100,000. The other interesting thing is according to Poyer, you & I, in addition, both have the later 1878/81 elevator lift assembly mounted on a separate plate; eg. your photos above. Additional photos that I have viewed of the 69/71 model in Poyer's book all show this plate INTEGERAL with the trigger guard.

This begs the question; is Poyer in his book ''SWISS MAGAZINE LOADING RIFLES 1869 TO 1958'' incorrect in saying that the separate plate was not introduced UNTIL the 78 Model, or was it introduced close to the last production run of the 69/71 model?

In fairness to Poyer though, he did refer to occasions later where parts were replaced in the 69/71 rifles due to wear, or damage.

Getting back to my ''curved'' bolt handle, my initial reaction was that perhaps a Swiss ''Bubba'' got to work and gave it the swept-back look of a U.S 1960's Weatherby magnum (Ha Ha) and as recently as a week ago I was seriously considering getting out the torch to heat the handle and try to straighten it !

Hence my excitement now of finding another rifle with the exact shaped handle, and to be honest, there is only one person (Guisan) who would possibly have an answer for us. I will contact him now, to see if he can help us. Keep your fingers crossed !!

[Uncle Ray]

Well RCEMERalf,

Only one reply to date, and that opinion was that a US ''Bubba'' was guilty of bending those bolts, and that there have been more than two observed with so-called swept-back bolts . This creates a problem for me, as my 69/71 was a direct import from Switzerland, NOT the US.

Well, just hold off for the time being whacking the bolt stem furiously with a 15lb hammer in order to straighten it; it will be just our luck that after we have straightened it, someone will come along and tell us that it WAS a trial conversion!

Good luck!

[RCEMERalf]

Thanks Uncle Ray for your information. My rifle was bought in Canada about 40 years ago, so ," US Bubba", highly unlikely. From the serial number, I expect that my rifle would be an early 69/71 rather than a late model. The mystery deepens! I certainly have no intentions of straightening the handle.

[Uncle Ray]

RCEMERalf,

Would you mind posting your photos on ''Swiss Rifles.com'' under ''Vetterli Rifles''. Look for the posting ''69/71 Vetterli with a swept-back bolt handle''. I was unable to post a photo there.

Cheers