Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1878 Magazine Rifle Serial No 179724 - 10.35 x 47mm German Edged Weapons M17 and M18 helmet

M17 and M18 helmet

coming down to the upper thighs

with a nickel collar inscribed in German script

and on the reverse 1918197

Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1878 Magazine Rifle Serial No 179724 - 10.35 x 47mm German Edged Weapons M17 and M18 helmetOriginal Item: Only One Available. Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system utilized the "Winchester" tube magazine system for cartridge storage under the barrel. The original 1867 model had an external hammer, like a Winchester, but in 1868 this was changed to an internal cocking bolt spring. The cleaning rod was moved to the side of the rifle, but this proved problematic, so the model of 1869 moved it back to the under barrel position. In 1871,