Vetterli-Vitali Mod. 1870/87
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Torino) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1870
Also known as: Mod. 1870/87, Vetterli-Vitali, Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 1870/87
Overview
The Vetterli-Vitali Mod. 1870/87 was the Kingdom of Italy's standard service rifle from 1887 until the introduction of the Carcano Mod. 91. It is a conversion of the earlier single-shot Italian Vetterli Mod. 1870 (itself a derivative of the Swiss Vetterli design) to a four-round repeater, achieved by fitting an internal box magazine system designed by Italian artillery captain Giuseppe Vitali. The rifle uses the 10.35x47mmR black-powder cartridge originally adopted with the Mod. 1870. After the Carcano replaced it as a frontline weapon, large numbers of Vetterli-Vitalis were rebarreled in 6.5x52mm Carcano during WWI as the Mod. 1870/87/15 to arm rear-echelon and reservist units.
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 | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 425 m/s (1394 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1751 J (1291 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 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
- 10.35x47mmR Vetterli · primary — also known as 10.4x47R, 10.35 Italian Vetterli, 10.35x47R
- 6.5x52mm Carcano — also known as 6.5 Mannlicher-Carcano
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip Packet
- Safety mechanisms: Magazine Cutoff, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Vitali Box Magazine Conversion, Packet Loading Clip, Magazine Cutoff Ring, Turn Down Bolt Handle, Two Band Full Length Stock
Variants
- Vetterli Mod. 1870 (single-shot original) — Original Single Shot
- Vetterli-Vitali Mod. 1870/87/15 — Ww1 Carcano Rebarrel
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) · adopted 1887 · as Fucile Mod. 1870/87
Conflicts
- First Italo-Ethiopian War (1895-1896)
- Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
- Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912)
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,500,000 · Production years: 1870-1896 (originals); 1887-1896 (Vitali conversions); 1916-1918 (1870/87/15 Carcano rebarrels)
Estimate combines original Mod. 1870 production at Torino, Brescia, Terni, and Torre Annunziata with subsequent Vitali conversions and WWI rebarrels.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Friedrich Vetterli (rifle action) / Giuseppe Vitali (magazine conversion)
Discontinued: 1918
Notes
The Italian Vetterli differs from the Swiss Vetterli in caliber, in using a centerfire (rather than rimfire) cartridge, and in lacking the Swiss tubular magazine. The 1870/87 conversion preserved the original action and added the Vitali clip-fed box magazine.
Background
Many Vetterli-Vitalis ended up in unexpected hands a half-century after their service: large surplus lots were sold to China in the early 20th century and reappeared in Spanish Republican stocks during the Spanish Civil War, with stragglers documented as late as the 2015 Syrian conflict - a 145-year service trail.