Riparazione

[green]

I have always taken the meaning of "RIPARAZIONE" on an Italian arm as meaning repair or refurbish. On another forum it has been stated that it means conversion as in the date of conversion of a Vetterli to Vetterli Vitali.
What does it mean?

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[browningautorifle]

It means repair...but exactly what is a question may not be answered by us. The other answer may be conjecture.

[Aragorn243]

There is an Italian member, Ovidio, who should be able to answer your question. I don't think he stops by every day.

[DocAV]

The Exact Translation of Riparazione is "Repair" But it also means Reconstruction ( of a bridge, road, mechanical implement) or even "Reparations" ( as after a War, or in a court cases.)

The Latin Origin means " Re-do the Preparations" ( Ri --Parare ) or "Make new again" in its simplest fashion.

In the case of Carcano M91 series, it means a factory refurbish or repair ( Standard meaning)
In the case of the Vetterli Vitali- Carcanos, it means rebuilt as if New (ie, New calibre, New Magazine, Modified Bolt, etc.)

IN the Case of Vetterli to Vetterli-Vitali models, it also meant "making New" (New Magazine, magazine cutoff, etc)

Of course, it can get a bit confusing, if a VV70/87/16 also received a new stock after initial conversion...it was also Marked "RIP..."

And to confuse still further, there exists a roundel for M91s assembled at the "Officine Riparazioni Artiglieria" ( Artillery Repair Workshops ) of Rome ( Serials "OR xxxx) 1917-1919.

Doc AV

" l'uma fait pulisia" ( Graffiti on a recently captured Building formerly held by A-H Troops (1916).

ie, "WE cleaned up!"

[browningautorifle]

it can get a bit confusing

Exactly, like French it had to do with context. You can't pin down just the word, no literal translation.

[Ovidio]

Hi, riparazione means, generally, a repair work.
It can also mean the "riches" a country needs to pay to others when it loses a war, as in reparations.
When talking about military arguments, the word can get a bit tricky, as DocAV very well explained.
In any case, generally, it means repaired or refurbished.

[green]

Good so it means what I thought a repair. On another forum a contributor said that everyone was wrong about the M1870/87 Vetterli Vitali in that conversion of the single shot to repeater started before 1887 since he had one with an 1876 date stamp and a second date stamp RIPARAZIONE 1881 which he claimed was the conversion date.

[Ovidio]

I think in such a case they would have stamped something like "modified" (MOD. or MODIFICA or CONVERSIONE), but I could not immagine using "riparazione" in such a case. I don't know all the stamps used, as I'm not really a collector (yet), but more of a shooter.
But again, the state can be very archaic sometimes, or plain uncomprehensible.
I'd give a look at some good books, like Ruggero Pettinelli's "il '91".
There is also a very good site in Italian (Storia del fucile 91) with lots of useful info.
If you have need for some translations, I'd be glad to help.