Vetterli Cavalry Carbine M1871
Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (Swiss Federal Arsenal) · Carbine · Discontinued · 1871
Also known as: Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner M1871, Vetterli Karabiner 1871, Vetterli Cavalry Carbine Model 1871, Vetterli Dragoon Carbine M1871
Overview
The Vetterli Cavalry Carbine M1871 is a Swiss bolt-action repeating carbine, a shortened cavalry variant of the Model 1871 Vetterli rifle chambered in the 10.4x38mm Swiss rimfire cartridge. Fed from a 6-round Winchester-pattern tubular magazine beneath the barrel, it was issued to Swiss cavalry and dragoons to replace their single-shot percussion pistols. With a 470 mm barrel and an overall length of 930 mm, it was among the rarest members of the M1871 Vetterli family and one of the earliest bolt-action repeating long arms adopted by a national army.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3250 g (114.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 930 mm (36.61") |
| Barrel Length | 470 mm (18.50") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 410 m/s (1345 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1692 J (1248 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 10.4x38mm Swiss Rimfire · primary — also known as 10.4mm Vetterli, .41 Swiss, 10.4x38R Swiss
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Tubular Magazine, Carbine Length Barrel, Saddle Ring
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Army (Cavalry) · adopted 1871 · as Kavallerie-Repetierkarabiner M1871
Production
Estimated total produced: 3,112 · Production years: 1872-1879
Approximately 2,400 carbines built by Rudolf Pfenninger of Stäfa (1872-1874) and around 712 by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (1876-1879).
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Friedrich Vetterli
Discontinued: 1879
Notes
The rarest variant of the M1871 Vetterli family. Built in small numbers chiefly by Rudolf Pfenninger of Stäfa and the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik in Bern. Many surviving examples were later converted to centerfire.
Background
Designed by Swiss engineer Friedrich Vetterli, the Vetterli rifle gave Switzerland one of the first repeating bolt-action service rifles in the world. The cavalry carbine put this then-revolutionary firepower in the hands of mounted troops who had previously carried only single-shot pistols.