Got a Vetterli today

The country that avoids war and the country that fights but has a hard time winning have been combined. The Swiss made some excellent firearms and the French made some unique and occasionally inspiring ones. We have added the Belgian and Dutch since they are neighbors.

Moderator: ArchFluffy

User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

Got a Vetterli today

Post by Niner » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:53 pm

Well... it's not too great an example of a 69/71, but I didn't pay much for it either. Looks Like somebody put a strange back sight on it and the front sight blade is missing as well as the cleaning rod. However, the bore is in pretty good shape and it seems to be in working order. It's made by Steiger and the guy that sold it to me had it dated as " circa" 1874. So... even though I typed that I didn't pay too much.... what is it worth anyway? Hate to tell you what I paid, but I forked over $220 for it. Darn impluse buy. :roll:
Attachments
Vet1.jpg
Vet2.jpg
Vet3.jpg
vet4.jpg
vet5.jpg
vet6.jpg
User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

ok, I'm not too bright

Post by Niner » Sun Oct 23, 2005 10:50 pm

I took it apart and cleaned it. I noticed the rimfire metal piece didn't seem to "free float" although it isn't necessarily supposed to be so free. The two firing pins seem to be prety much as fixed. I know this isn't right. Somebody explain this to me, would you?
Attachments
firingpins.jpg
User avatar
stripperclip
Leading Member
Posts: 843
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:23 am
Location: Georgia

Post by stripperclip » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:11 am

I would have gotten it for 200. myself just don't know that much about the inner workings.
stripperclip
LoLo25643
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:05 pm
Location: ALABAMA

Post by LoLo25643 » Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:23 am

Say Niner, the firing pin fork dosn't look right to me. It shouldn't protrude that much from the bolt face. It could be a replacement. I'm at work right now but here is a link to Parashooters centerfire conversion sight that has some good pictures of what the firing pins should look like. One thing for sure is that the pin fork should most definately be free.

http://telecom.hartford.edu/swiss/vetterli.htm

I can e-mail you some additional pictures if you need them.
User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

Post by Niner » Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:42 am

Thanks. The pin in mine doesn't look like the one in the linked picture...exactly. Haven't time to examin it more closely at the moment though.
LoLo25643
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:05 pm
Location: ALABAMA

Post by LoLo25643 » Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:54 pm

Hey Niner, where abouts in Alabama are you at? I'm close to the Auburn/Opelika area. I was just wondering.
User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

Post by Niner » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:23 pm

Down in LA... Mobile.

The firing pin looks like something somebody had fabicated at some time or the other. Not the one that came with the rifle. But... I wasn't planning on firing it anyway.... even though I'll be working on finding the right firing pin extension anyway because... well I just have to. You know how it is. :bigsmile: .
User avatar
Niner
Site Admin
Posts: 11519
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2003 1:00 pm
Location: Lower Alabama

LoLo25643

Post by Niner » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:36 pm

How about changing your email address to a correct one in your profile. I keep getting these bounced emails directed to you from your recent posts. Thanks. :bigsmile:
LoLo25643
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon May 23, 2005 10:05 pm
Location: ALABAMA

Post by LoLo25643 » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:17 am

Ok, I fixed it. ;)
User avatar
Karl/Pa.
Leading Member
Posts: 3919
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: South-Central Pennsylvania

Post by Karl/Pa. » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:43 pm

Niner, check under the butt plate and see if there's an extra firing pin there. These were issued with an extra pin in the stock.

One of my 69/71's has a peep sight installed. On top of that its apparently (or was) a parade piece. All furniture and fittings are chromed.
Karl

Medicare Life Member

Ban grated cheese. Make America grate again.
Post Reply