Swiss Vetterli carbine

[Anzac15]

This weekends find..a Swiss Vetterli carbine made by SOC IND. Not familiar with this maker. In fact, I'm not too well versed on these rifles, and this is maybe the second carbine I've seen in 6 or 7 years. I believe it is a model 1871, but not 100% sure..can't find a lot of info on them, most is about full length infantry rifles. Enjoy the pics, any info is welcome!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Well, there's something you don't see every day...is that one for real? I've seen bags of the rifles by comparison. Neat looking little carbine.

[#1oilman]

Like Jim says, you see plenty of rifles but that is the first carbine I have ever seen

[Anzac15]

Here are some clearer pics.
As far as I know, this is real. I have seen two others, exactly like this, at the gun shows. A bit of reading (and there is scant info on these) suggest that these were converted 69/71 or M71 rifles for border guard use, and that they possibly were never issued.

[browningautorifle]

I wonder if they were made from rifles by the people that needed them...?

[Hcompton79]

I'm far from an expert on these, but from what I have read, there are several details that do not track on this carbine.

Compare to photos found here:
Detailed photographic comparison of Vetterli models

It has the flat butt plate and short early type carbine rear sight, but the receiver lacks the mounting points for the magazine cutoff and dust cover, and the front sight is mounted on the barrel not the nose cap.

My hunch would be that it is a shortened 69/71 rifle.

[browningautorifle]

The wiping rod and sights are vastly different aren't they, on the one you've pictured?

[oldpaul]

This is from Adolf Frank's 1911 ALFA catalog. I can find no reference to a Model 69 carbine elsewhere so these were likely made by cutting down the 1869 rifles as companies such as Bannermans or Century Arms were wont to do. The front sling swivel is different but drawings are often not exact. The swissarms.com site is very good but listing a 'Calvary' carbine doesn't inspire complete confidence. Tom

[Anzac15]

Interesting.
Here are a few images I recently found. One is exactly like mine. Another is identical save for a middle barrel band.

[browningautorifle]

I still think it's neat no matter...I'd like to wring it out a bit just because.