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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Major 2 on September 15, 2019, 05:45:54 PM

Title: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 15, 2019, 05:45:54 PM
Traded for a Vetterli Border Carbine in really nice condition
I have the handle to convert to CF ...could use some direction in forming Lebel Brass and bullet choices
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Drydock on September 15, 2019, 07:04:53 PM
https://www.buffaloarms.com/10-4x42r-vetterli-center-fire-cases-reformed-cases-10-4x42r

They also have 10.4x38 case if your carbine is so chambered.

Accurate molds has several Swiss Vetterli molds.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: River City John on September 15, 2019, 07:12:58 PM
www.swissrifles.com/vetterli/

Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 15, 2019, 07:13:18 PM
Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: River City John on September 15, 2019, 07:26:57 PM
Hope this transfers.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: River City John on September 15, 2019, 07:30:19 PM
Dating info.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: River City John on September 15, 2019, 07:36:42 PM
Cartridge packet.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Baltimore Ed on September 16, 2019, 10:26:44 AM
Don?t take this personal Major but I hope it shoots better than it looks. But then I like Webleys so I guess even the homely girls eventually get dates too. Have fun playing with your ?new? gal.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 16, 2019, 11:01:13 AM
Homely  :-\  I suppose it is in the eye of the beholder .... It is sorta Beluga Whale homely  ;D 

It was the first ever bolt action repeater .... Pat. 1869 before Mauser , before Label  and it is and was Swiss precision made.

U tube is full of videos, of conversion being shot quite well ...

I have Brass & Dies  coming from Buffalo Arm & they make the dies and both are in stock ...

Now to either order the conversion Kit from England or find a stateside equivalent


The condition of this Carbine is quite remarkable
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 16, 2019, 11:20:12 AM
Anyone know or know how to reach Norm Sutton ?   Cast Bullet BB mentions him for the conversion work ?
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Galen on September 16, 2019, 12:19:26 PM
how do you know if the weapon is 10x38 or 10x42?
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: swampman on September 16, 2019, 03:26:34 PM
Anyone know or know how to reach Norm Sutton ?   Cast Bullet BB mentions him for the conversion work ?

I'm good friends with Norm. He's the Vetterli-guru. I'll send you his number via PM.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 16, 2019, 08:46:56 PM
Thanks Swampman ?..perfect  I spoke with him tonight my Bolt is on its way tomorrow

He only lives about 50 miles away , if I were off tomorrow Id drive it over ...he said 1-2 day and he would send it back completed.
He explained what he does and I stoked 

Thanks so much
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 17, 2019, 03:57:27 PM
10.4x38R
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Delmonico on September 17, 2019, 04:29:05 PM
how do you know if the weapon is 10x38 or 10x42?

Do a chamber casting, I've kept a pound of Cerrosafe under my bench for over 25 years.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Professor Marvel on September 17, 2019, 04:30:27 PM
Don?t take this personal Major but I hope it shoots better than it looks. But then I like Webleys so I guess even the homely girls eventually get dates too. Have fun playing with your ?new? gal.

Ah My Good Monsieur Ed

You must remember that the Vetterli was designed during the Acme of the Vicrorian Era, a time when
Visual design and ascetics were valued as much as functionality. It was not until later during the ?form follows function? movement that design got boring....

If you don?t care for the Veterlli you probably hate the Schuetzen  Rifles and other Victoriana Fuferal .....

Prof Marvel
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Baltimore Ed on September 17, 2019, 07:19:56 PM
Well now Professor you don?t know me as well as you think you do. Coming from the background of muzzle loading I?ve always thought that the single shot was the ultimate hunting and target rifle. One shot is all you get. I?ve had/have several Rolling Blocks, a lovely Ruger #1V in .25-06 and a cute pair of Martini Cadets, a .357 and a .32-20 and a couple of .22s. The beautiful stock carvings and inlays of the classic Schuetzen are truly outstanding. I do indeed care for them. You however were born in the wrong century sir.
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Professor Marvel on September 17, 2019, 07:49:25 PM
The beautiful stock carvings and inlays of the classic Schuetzen are truly outstanding. I do indeed care for them.

I stand corrected!  Beauty is after in in the eye blah blah blah

Quote
You however were born in the wrong century sir.

I am unsure whether it was born in 5he wrong century ( in which case one must wonder exactly which) or if I , like methusala, have overstayed my time....

I do agree that the Veterli styling is certainly a particular (peculiar?) taste... and I do lament that I passed on them many Lustra ( lustrium? Lustrii ? ) ago when they were common, cheap, plentiful and unappreciated.  I was too busy at the time chasing Hawkens and 1911s. ( odd combination, that )

Major please continue to post progress pics!

Prof Marvel .
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 18, 2019, 06:47:46 AM
you may discuss " Homely" if you like,  Functionally ugly if you will  :-\

Matters not, the Vetterli was the first bolt action repeater 1869-71 

As to  common, cheap, plentiful and unappreciated ,  well  again that is also as you said many years ago. As was the case of anything Milsurp.
Apparently I gravitate toward the  left of center...

Heck I have and shoot a Berthier , a Nagant revolver and now shortly the Vetterly

Besides I am honored to have, It was in Mr. Nickels collection since the 1940's , Mr. Nickels passed about 17 years ago and his son
asked if Id like it ( I also have his circa 1891  Winchester 73 also in remarkable shooting condition )

So a trade was cast ? an Iver Johnson 32 short top break for the 'Homely but well preserved soon to be center fire Milsurp

It may well be only a face a Mother would like ...well this Mother likes it

Oh! and Mr. Norm Sutton is fond of them Too - the other photos are his own and he shoots 18 of them
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: River City John on September 18, 2019, 08:27:21 AM
I'm going to admit I'm in the closet as having soft eyes for the Vetterli, too.

Always lusted after a carbine version, as shooting the full rifle, especially in a "woods walk" or skirmish format, required more upper body strength and endurance than this old man could muster sometimes.
Shooting long range over cross sticks on a fairly calm day was a pleasure, and I have the statuette from the SW NCOWS Regional as proof.

But I just couldn't keep such an ugly beast captive, - I had to set it free.
RCJ

 
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 18, 2019, 11:33:50 AM
Your adventures with the one you had , kinda sorta moved me , and when I saw this one and offered to me (@ watch out for the cop trade price) it was a no brainier.



I like projects , at least the ones where I can grasp the mechanics to the conversions ...Vetterli is almost caveman simple to convert to CF
Plus dyes and even formed brass are available from Buffalo Arms.... In fact I ordered mine on Monday 9/10/19 @ 11AM and had them Tuesday 9/11 @ 3PM's mail !!!

That is quick ! Idaho to Fla. -  and overall makes this gun/project attractive


Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Drydock on September 18, 2019, 01:45:46 PM
I must say, my Italian Vetterli's are some of my favorite BP cartridge rifles.  I lucked into a TS Carbine cheap, the previous owner had thought it was a cut down rifle!
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Delmonico on September 18, 2019, 05:25:40 PM
What can I say?  :o
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 21, 2019, 04:05:36 PM
The project continues , the conversion is complete and is winging it way back, in fact the PO tried to deliver it this morning a 8:47 AM
however, my office was closed , so they said Monday....

I just finished a detail clean of the wood , as it had maybe 60 years of build up boiled linseed oil on the stocks.
The natural warm glow of Walnut shines again and ever cartouche is clearly readable
Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 23, 2019, 12:07:48 PM
Here is a Photo from the Mari Sandoz collection.

Ol Jules (Sandoz) with his Vetterli Rifle after a hunting trip.  Belay that - it appears to be his  1888 Mauser which he acquired around 1904 

He brought the Vetterli  rifle with him from Switzerland in 1880 , it now is in the Nebraska Historical Society collection ...
I'm reading the Book Ol Jules by his daughter Mari Sandoz ... photo attached  Jules Vetterli Model 1878/81

The Vetterli Rifle is mentioned several times , one account was when it went missing , a Vetterli was returned to him , but it was not his rifle ...
apparently other Swiss immigrants to Nebraska had Vetterlis. 
 

Title: Re: Vetterli project
Post by: Major 2 on September 24, 2019, 10:23:24 AM
Probably last installment post  :-\

I installed the converted bolt last night, and it runs sweet .....

Mark Whyte is casting some 300gr.  BP bullets

I have begun a article for the NCOWS Shootist , further adventures with - to be included there.... Ende der Durchsage