Waffenfabrik Bern Swiss Vetterli Model 1878 .41RF

The Swiss Vetterli rifle, designed by Swiss designer Friedrich Vetterli, the manager of the
Neuhausen factory, was adopted in both Switzerland and Italy. It utilized a Henry
(Winchester) M1866 type tubular magazine and a bolt system derived from the German
Dreyse needle fire rifle. The Swiss Vetterli was the first repeating rifle widely adopted for
military service. It was originally adopted by the Swiss military in 1868 and was the most
advanced military rifle of its time. It went into widespread production with the M1869 and
was improved several times, first with the M1871 which eliminated the loading gate cover,
which proved to be redundant. Using a rimfire cartridge, the Vetterli was the first repeating
bolt action rifle to feature a self-cocking action and a small caliber bore. It featured a round
33.1″ blued barrel of 10.4 mm x 38 (.41) caliber which was secured to the walnut full stock
by two barrel bands. It had a 12 round capacity in its tubular magazine enclosed in the
wooden fore stock.

Barrel Length: 33.5 inches
Overall Length: 52 inches
Weight: 10.19 lbs empty
Chambering: 10.4x38 (.41) Swiss Rimfire
Rifling: 4 groove, RH twist, 1 in 26"
Velocity: 1425 fps
Capacity: 13 (12 round tube magazine +1 in the cartridge elevator)
Wood Type: Hard,Walnut
Total Production: 37,010 Model 1878/81s 25,3000 Model 1881s
Manufacture Dates: 1882-1889 Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern