Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1881 Magazine Infantry Rifle Serial No 227621 - 10.35 x 47mm Russian Ordnance fully decorated measuring 66" overall

fully decorated measuring 66" overall and 15" across at the trunnions

There are also the initials F B scratched into the paint on the clip side

the lighter and slightly shorter dragoon rifle

As the Snider became more common in the field

This example bears original German maker code ayf

Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1881 Magazine Infantry Rifle Serial No 227621 - 10.35 x 47mm Russian Ordnance fully decorated measuring 66" overallOriginal Item: Only One Available. Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system utilized the "Winchester" tube magazine system for cartridge storage under the barrel. The original 1867 model had an external hammer, like a Winchester, but in 1868 this was changed to an internal cocking bolt spring. The cleaning rod was moved to the side of the rifle, but this proved problematic, so the model of 1869 moved it back to the under barrel position. In 1871,