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