+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: First Italian rifle acquisition!

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member BurtonP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Last On
    03-13-2024 @ 07:08 PM
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    214
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:20 PM

    First Italian rifle acquisition!

    Attachment 110233Attachment 110234Attachment 110235Attachment 110236Attachment 110237Attachment 110238

    Hi all,
    I'd like to share my first Italianicon rifle purchase with the group. Bought because the price was right and it looked in pretty good condition for a 19th Century rifle.

    A little research has shown that I have an Italian Vetterli 1870/87/15 I believe. It has stamps showing conversion to 6.5mm in the Great War, and another for use by the AOI in WW2. I presume it came to Canadaicon via Britishicon capture in East Africa. I can't find any dates, only a "4" below the Brescia stamp. Under the stock are a lot of inspection stamps with numbers in the 30's which might be dates I suppose, but I didn't photograph these while I was cleaning it all and stabilizing the rust.

    Any info from the experts would be appreciated. I'm really pleased that a spur of the moment purchase turned out to have such a storied life.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:20 PM
    Very common in the US but not with the AOI marking. These were a cost savings conversion for Italyicon in WWI to free up first rate rifle for the front lines. Then transferred to colonial troops for WWII.

    One of the few rifles most recommend you do not fire them under any circumstance. The metal is soft, there is no idea of how many shots have been fired through it and the next shot could be the one that blows it up.

    C&Rsenal has several good videos on these rifles both before and after conversions. They had several rifles fail under testing. One with reduced loads.

  4. Thank You to Aragorn243 For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member BurtonP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Last On
    03-13-2024 @ 07:08 PM
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    214
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:20 PM
    Thread Starter
    C&Rsenal has several good videos on these rifles both before and after conversions. They had several rifles fail under testing. One with reduced loads.[/QUOTE]

    Yeah, I watched that. Believe me I'd decided not to shoot it even before that.

  7. #4
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last On
    @
    Location
    West side
    Posts
    4,651
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:20 AM
    Looks like it was designed by Carlo Bugatti.

    And not comparable to the Swissicon one I've examined the odd time.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  8. #5
    Contributing Member Ovidio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last On
    Today @ 10:52 AM
    Location
    Pordenone, Italy
    Posts
    2,141
    Real Name
    Ovidio Gentiloni
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:20 PM
    Really beautiful! With the AOI markings it makes for a real pretty find. Congrats!
    34a cp., btg. Susa, 3° rgt. Alpini

  9. #6
    Legacy Member Eaglelord17's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last On
    Today @ 08:26 AM
    Location
    Sault Ste. Marie, ON
    Posts
    1,257
    Real Name
    A.N.
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:20 PM
    No direct proof that it would have come to Canadaicon via Britishicon capture. Tons of these rifles were sold off as surplus post-WWII and it is just as likely to have come that way as anything else. Not saying it didn't, but like most things surplus unless there is direct markings, its about trying to piece together the story from a couple torn up notes.

    They are interesting rifles though, one of the few I would argue was worse than the earlier version. Personally I would have rather had a 70/87 in WWI or WWII, or even a 1870 over this version of the rifle, at least then I would be confident pulling the trigger that it is going to do more damage in front of me than at me.

    Nice find!

  10. #7
    Legacy Member BurtonP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Last On
    03-13-2024 @ 07:08 PM
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    214
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:20 PM
    Thread Starter
    Agreed, there's no evidence how it came to Canadaicon. I'm guessing. One thing I do find curious though... I'm most familiar with Lee Enfield Riflesicon, and there are a couple of small parts on this Vetterli that are identical. A sling swivel & that tiny silver piece that helps retain the nosepiece. Is it possible that they are actually SMLE parts, or similar design?

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. First Italian Rifle
    By MattE93 in forum Italian Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-15-2020, 05:56 AM
  2. The Italian Vetterli Rifle: Development, Variants and History in Service
    By Aragorn243 in forum Book and Video Review Corner
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-24-2018, 09:25 AM
  3. Italian rifle
    By jared stanfield in forum Italian Rifles
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-31-2014, 02:49 AM
  4. New Italian Rifle Forum!
    By jmoore in forum Italian Rifles
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 05-07-2012, 01:00 PM
  5. Newest acquisition . . . 1941 Longbranch No. 4 Mk 1 Lee Enfield rifle.
    By Capt Quahog in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 11-08-2011, 03:49 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks