Hopped on the Vetterli Bandwagon

[majspud]

Several of my friends have Swiss Vetterlis, but I bucked the trend and acquired this beautiful Italian version.

1884 M1870/87/1915 Italian Vetterli fucil. Originally manufactured as a single shot rifle and chambered in 10.4x47R by Brescia, serial number NP 3926. Stock marked ‘S. Polotti over E. FIGLI’ and renumbered to match on the right side, and a hexagonal stamp with ROMA and 1916 as the date of the conversion on the right side. Bore is excellent; bright and sharp and clean - I wonder why? Overall condition is exceptional with good wood, tiger striped stock, and clear cartouches and stampings. Sling is an original, similar, M89/11 Swiss style.

One more for the antique rack. Room for one more - an American M96 Krag.

Thanks for the look.

T.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Did you shoot it or just put the ammo in it for display?

[majspud]

I will be putting a few rounds out of it to try it. I have read arguments for and against this on several forums.

T

[Aragorn243]

So have I, that's why I asked. I have one also but it's firing pin was clipped. I'm in the process of getting it repaired but even then, not sure I want to fire it with full loads. I doubt very much the Italian military would build a rifle that was not safe for limited use at least but still.........you have to wonder just a bit.

[majspud]

The ammo shown in Privi, and while commercial, is underloaded compared to specs.

T

[Merle]

Several of my friends have Swiss Vetterlis, but I bucked the trend and acquired this beautiful Italian version.

1884 M1870/87/1915 Italian Vetterli fucil. Originally manufactured as a single shot rifle and chambered in 10.4x47R by Brescia, serial number NP 3926. Stock marked ‘S. Polotti over E. FIGLI’ and renumbered to match on the right side, and a hexagonal stamp with ROMA and 1916 as the date of the conversion on the right side. Bore is excellent; bright and sharp and clean - I wonder why? Overall condition is exceptional with good wood, tiger striped stock, and clear cartouches and stampings. Sling is an original, similar, M89/11 Swiss style.

One more for the antique rack. Room for one more - an American M96 Krag.

Thanks for the look.

T.

Mostly because they didn't get shot very much. IIRC they were mostly issued to non-combatant troops.

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------

I will be putting a few rounds out of it to try it. I have read arguments for and against this on several forums.

T

I shot one box of Norma thru mine, then got nervous after some internet research revealed several had problems. Most did not. At any rate, I reloaded with Pyrodex RP, and it worked OK.

---------- Post added at 05:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------

So have I, that's why I asked. I have one also but it's firing pin was clipped. I'm in the process of getting it repaired but even then, not sure I want to fire it with full loads. I doubt very much the Italian military would build a rifle that was not safe for limited use at least but still.........you have to wonder just a bit.

It was also my understanding that they were primarily issue to "native" troops & the level of concern MIGHT have been lower.

[Aragorn243]

They were issued to native troops in WWII, not WWI. In WWI they were issued to first rate troops although not front line. Artillery, drivers, supply, etc and a lot of them did see active use as the fronts were pretty fluid on a couple of occasions.

[A. F Medic]

Where did you find the clips? Mine needs one. Thanks!

[Aragorn243]

They take standard Carcano clips. Should be able to get them from multiple sources.