 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2014) |
| Vetterli Model 1870 | |
|---|---|
 Vetterli-Vitali rifle M1870/87 | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1871–1950s |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Mahdist War Macedonian Struggle First Italo-Ethiopian War Boxer Rebellion Irish revolutionary period World War I Russian Civil War Turkish Revolution Second Italo-Ethiopian War Chaco War Spanish Civil War World War II |
| Production history | |
| No. built | 1,500,000 |
| Variants | M1870/87 and M1870/87/15 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | M1870/87: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg) M1870/87/15: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg) |
| Length | 52.95 in (134.5 cm) |
| Barrel length | 33.85 in (86.0 cm) |
| Cartridge | M1870/87: 10.4×47mmR M1870/87/15: 6.5×52mm Carcano |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity | M1870/87: 1,410 ft/s (430 m/s) M1870/87/15: 2,395 ft/s (730 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | M1870/87: 2,000 m (2,200 yd) M1870/87/15: 2,000 m (2,200 yd) |
| Feed system | M1870: single shot M1870/87: 4 round magazine M1870/87/15: 6 round magazine |
The M1870 Vetterli was the Italian military's service rifle from 1870 to 1891. In 1887, it would be modified into the repeating M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali variant. The Vetterli rifle used the 10.4mm Vetterli centrefire cartridge, at first loaded with black powder and later with smokeless powder. Some Vetterli rifles would later be converted into 6.5×52mm Carcano during World War I. Despite being supplanted by the Carcano rifle, it continued to see use in Italian service and abroad.