Vetterli Mod. 1870
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Gardone) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1870
Also known as: Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 1870, Vetterli M1870, 10.4mm Vetterli
Overview
The Vetterli Mod. 1870 was the standard single-shot, bolt-action service rifle of the Kingdom of Italy, adopted in 1870 and chambered for the 10.35×47mmR Vetterli black-powder centerfire cartridge. Designed by the Swiss engineer Johann Friedrich Vetterli, the Italian pattern deliberately omitted the tubular magazine of the Swiss original in favor of a simpler single-shot mechanism. It was one of the first widely issued bolt-action metallic-cartridge military rifles and served as Italy's principal infantry arm until the repeating Vetterli-Vitali and Carcano rifles replaced it.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1360 mm (53.54") |
| Barrel Length | 870 mm (34.25") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 420 m/s (1378 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1715 J (1265 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 450 m (492 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 10.35×47mmR Vetterli · primary — also known as 10.4x47R, 10.4mm Vetterli, 10.35x47R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Single Shot, Cleaning Rod, Full Length Wood Stock, Graduated Ladder Rear Sight
Variants
- Vetterli-Vitali Mod. 1870/87 - Repeating Conversion
- Vetterli Mod. 1870 Moschetto da Cavalleria - Cavalry Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1870 · as Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 1870
Conflicts
- First Italo-Ethiopian War (1895-1896)
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,800,000 · Production years: 1871-1892
Approximately 1.8 million rifles, short rifles and carbines of all Vetterli/Vetterli-Vitali varieties were produced across the Turin, Brescia and Torre Annunziata arsenals.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Johann Friedrich Vetterli
Discontinued: 1887
Notes
Original black-powder loads used a roughly 28-gram lead bullet; after 1890 a lighter (~16 g) metal-jacketed smokeless bullet was introduced. Most single-shot Mod. 1870 rifles were later converted to the repeating Vetterli-Vitali Mod. 1870/87 pattern, and many were rebarreled to 6.5×52mm Carcano during World War I.
Background
The Mod. 1870 was among the first bolt-action centerfire rifles adopted en masse by a major army, and its obsolete stocks proved deadly a generation later: World War I soldiers reported severe wound infections from Vetterli cartridges whose antiquated ammunition and poorly maintained bores drove debris deep into flesh.