Vetterli Stutzer M1871
Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (Swiss Federal Arsenal) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1871
Also known as: Repetierstutzer Modell 1871, Vetterli Repetierstutzer 1871, Vetterli M1871 Sharpshooter Rifle
Overview
The Vetterli Stutzer M1871 is a Swiss bolt-action repeating sharpshooter rifle chambered in the 10.4x38mm Swiss rimfire cartridge. A shorter variant of the M1869/71 Vetterli infantry rifle, it was issued to the Scharfschützen (sharpshooter) companies of the Swiss Army. Its defining feature is the unusual Thury double set-trigger, fitted within a long, deep trigger guard, which allows an extremely light let-off for precision shooting. It also carries an 11-round tubular magazine, a quadrant leaf sight graduated from 225 to 1,000 metres, and a deeply curved heavy buttplate later carried over to the M1878 and M1881 rifles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4600 g (162.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1260 mm (49.61") |
| Barrel Length | 783 mm (30.83") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Set |
| Magazine Capacity | 11 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 435 m/s (1427 fps) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 660 mm (25.98") |
| 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
- Features: Thury Double Set Trigger, Tubular Magazine, Quadrant Leaf Sight, Heavy Curved Buttplate
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Army (Scharfschützen companies) · adopted 1871 · as Repetierstutzer Modell 1871
Production
Estimated total produced: 13,460 · Production years: 1871-1879
Made by SIG (1,000), Eidgenössische Montierwerkstätte Bern (~9,000) and Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (3,468).
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Johann-Friedrich Vetterli
Discontinued: 1879
Notes
About 13,460 examples were produced between 1871 and 1879. The first 1,000 were made by Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG); roughly 9,000 by the Eidgenössische Montierwerkstätte in Bern; and 3,468 by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik.
Background
The Stutzer continued a long Swiss marksmanship tradition, arming the elite sharpshooter companies that were the forerunners of today's designated marksmen. Its Thury double set-trigger could be 'set' to break at the lightest touch, prized by Swiss riflemen famed for their precision shooting.