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Military Rifles in the Age of Transition
(Non-U.S.) Black Powder, Metallic Cartidge, Military Rifles
1865 to 1890
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M1878, M1878/81 and M1881 Swiss Vetterlis
(Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1878 & Modell 1881 System Vetterli)
A M1878 Swiss Vetterli infantry rifle If you look closely you may notice the difference in the rear sight leaf, which is discussed in detail further below
Last and most refined of the breed: A M1881 Swiss Vetterli infantry rifle
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
For a general overview of Switzerland’s Arms needs in this period, please see: M1869 and M1869/71 Swiss Vetterlis
DEVELOPMENT
In the years the followed the M1869’s and M1869/71’s adoptions and fielding, the use of these rifles suggested multiple small ways that the already excellent basic rifle could be improved. Some features, considered important in the 1860s, such as a mechanism to keep ammunition stored in a rifle’s magazine in reserve, for use only when it was absolutely needed, such as a magazine cut-off lever to allow the rifle to be used as a single-shot in normal use other than emergencies, was discovered to be unsound as military doctrine changed. Other features, such as gas relief ports, were rendered unnecessary as technology, in this case ammunition development, improved beyond a feature’s necessity. Still others such as a loading gate cover were simply more a hindrance than useful.
As discussed in the Swiss M1869 & M1869/71 Vetterli Rifles page at this website, to accelerate slow production of Vetterli rifles by the various small shops and factories producing them, in 1875 the Swiss Federal authorities built a new arms factory in Bern, the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik (astonishingly, this translates as “Federal Arms Factory”). It is this factory that produced all of the M1878 and M1881 Vetterli variants.
In 1881, yet another set of still minor revisions led to the designation of a new model Vetterli which incorporated all of the improvements of the Model 1878 plus a new longer-range rear sight, internal improvements to the trigger mechanism and storage in the buttstock, under the buttplate of a spare two-prong firing pin, as the prongs tended to break in heavy use.
GENERALLY
The M1878, and its very close cousin the M1881, are evolutions of the original Vetterli design but are not significant departures. At that time a whole variety of minor improvements were adopted and incorporated into the design. A new Schmidt quadrant sight was fitted with a shorter leaf than the earlier model but a much larger base and sidewalls, the forestock now utilized only a single barrel band and without checkering, although it still retains the earlier models’ transverse cross-key supported by a single escutcheon on the left side of the stock.
The trigger guard has been shortened and made considerably rounder (although still retaining a finger spur, albeit with a deeper curvature), and the buttplate became larger, more massive and more deeply curved. The combination nosecap/barrel band now mounted with a cross-pin rather than being spring-retained and which incorporated a bayonet lug to enable the rifle to mount a new bayonet adopted concurrently with the new rifle (the M1878 ‘Pioneer’ sawback sword bayonet discussed below).
Recognizing the improving reliability of its ammunition, the M1878 and later M1881 dispensed with the twin gas relief ports which had been formed in the top of the receiver behind the chamber on the M1869 and M1869/71 series rifles.
M1878 & M1881 OPERATING MECHANISM
Identical to that of the earlier M1869 & M1869/71 Swiss Vetterli rifles. Reference is made to that page on this site for a detailed discussion and illustrations.
M1878 Vetterli Rifle
(Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1878)
Right side view of the receiver/action, new trigger guard and new rear sight of the M1878 Swiss Vetterli infantry rifle.
The M1878 (M.78) Swiss Vetterli rifle is the most likely Vetterli rifle that the beginning collector is likely to come across or to acquire (albeit in its M1878/81 form, discussed below), as they were produced in large numbers, were well kept both throughout their relatively short service life (phased out beginning in 1889) and while stored in reserve. And because of Switzerland’s self-imposed neutrality coupled with powerful defensive deterrence, these rifles never had to go to war. After World War II, Switzerland sold off these rifles virtually en mass to American surplus arms dealers, who sold them directly into the American market. Thus, unless abused or neglected, they can readily be found today in near excellent condition.
M1878 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
First and foremost, the M1878 is a continuation and evolution of the M1869/71 Swiss Vetterli series rifles. To fully understand the M1878, one should familiarize oneself with the earlier Vetterli series. Thus this small section will only discuss distinguishing the M1878 from the earlier M1869s, M1869/71s and from the follow-on M1881s.
Similarities: The M1878 remains a bolt action rifle that continues the use of a large receiver containing the rotating bolt and cartridge lifter feeding ammunition from its tubular magazine holding 12 rounds. The bolt itself still contains both a striker and separate two-prong firing pin to ignite its rimfire cartridges. It retains the right side loading gate. It is still chambered for the 10.4mm Scharfe Gewher Patrone 67 rimfire cartridge originally developed for the .41 calibre M1863/67 Swiss Milbank Amsler conversion rifles. The M1878’s stock remains two-piece walnut with forestock key-pinned and barrel banded with its cleaning rod stowed below the forestock. The trigger guard continues to feature a curved finger spur, although less prominent than that of the M1869/71.
But the M1878 is different enough to be readily distinguished from the earlier series:
Differences: Like the immediately preceding M1869/71, the M1878 has provision for neither loading gate cover nor magazine cut-off. As distinct from the earlier M1869s and M1869/71s, the M1878 has only a single barrel band with a forward barrel band/nosecap instead of two bands and a nosecap. The nosecap of the new rifle is fitted with an integral bayonet lug nosecap in order to mount and support a large a sword bayonet. This bayonet was adopted concurrently with the new rifle (the M1878 ‘Pioneer’ sawback sword bayonet discussed below), although note that this new rifle could also continue to mount the earlier M1863 and M1869/71 pattern socket bayonets.
Right side of a M.78 Swiss Vetterli, following the pattern of the m1869/71
Left side of a M.78 Swiss Vetterli, smooth except for markings.
The single barrel band and band/nosecap of the new Model 1878 Vetterli
Rear sights are quite distinctive among the various Vetterli models and are an aid to identification. The Model 1878 rifle is fitted with a significantly different Schmidt quadrant rear sight with a much shorter leaf than the M1869 or M1869/71 but is heavier, with more robust sidewalls. In the case of the M1878, the newly redesigned single-leaf Schmidt rear sight is utilized, graduated to 1,200 meters along the top edges of the sight rails.
The new Model 1878 Vetterli infantry rifle’s newly adopted rear sight still keeps in place the feature of marking ranging numbers along the top edges of the sight’s sidewalls.
Advances in metal treatment were adopted, replacing the earlier browning of the barrel with a darker bluing of the barrel and most smaller parts.
This is a SUPERB M1869/71 Swiss Vetterli for comparison (NOT a M1878). Notice that the receiver, bolt handle, trigger and trigger guard, and the rear sight base are all finished “in the white” with only the striker spring cover and sight leaf being blued. While not readily apparent in this photo, the barrel is “browned,” an anti-rust treatment that precedes modern bluing. Note also the size and shape of the trigger guard as compared with that of the new Model 1878, shown below.
While still substantially the same rifle, note all the differences between this M1878 and the photo of the only slightly earlier M1869/71 shown directly above.
The barrel band/nosecap is now cross-pinned with a transverse screw and fitted with an integral bayonet lug.
This buttplate was adopted directly from the M1871 Vetterli Stutzer rifles and is identical to that model.
M1878 MARKINGS
The left side of the receiver flat is marked with a Swiss cross, above “WAFFENFABRIK” above “BERN” above a six digit serial number above “M.78.” The knoxform is marked only with the serial number and Swiss inspection marks.
All Swiss Vetterli rifles are marked with the serial number, either in full or the last three digits, on all of the significant parts including: receiver, barrel, cartridge lifter, nosecap, striker spring housing as well as the stock:
Both stock sections also carry Swiss inspection markings.
M1878 SPECIFICATIONS, STATISTICS & DATA
Overall Length: 1,326 mm (52.2 in)
Barrel Length: 33.1 inches (840 mm)
Weight, empty: 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs)
Rifling: 4-groove; RH, concentric
Magazine: Tube magazine under barrel, 12 round capacity
Sight: Schmidt Quadrant sight, from 225 m (246 yds) to 1,200 m (1,310 yds), raduated along the upper edges of the sight, like that of the M1869.
Top view of the M1878 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle Rear Sight
Note that distinct from the follow-on Model 1881 Schmidt rear sight, the sight leaf of the M1878 rear sight resides completely within the side walls of the sight base. The 1881 redesigned sight moves the ranging markings from the top edges of the sight walls to the outer left side wall and adds an arm to the left side of the sight leaf that runs outside the sidwwall with which to note the rear sights ranging. See the section following for views of the later M1881 rear sight.
Right side view of the M1878 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle Rear Sight
Right side view of the M1878 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle Rear Sight
M1878/81 Vetterli Rifle
(Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modell 1878)
Photos of a Model 1878 Swiss Vetterli that has been retrofitted with the later improved M1881 rear sight
Although this is not an officially recognized separate model, we here make this distinction because the introduction of this new sight is visually distinctive and can lead to confusion when identifying this series of Vetterli rifles. After the introduction of the 1881 Schmidt rear sight, most all M.78 Swiss Vetterli rifles were retrofitted with the new rear sight designed for both Infantry and Stutzer Rifles.
The follow-on Model 1881 Schmidt redesigned sight has the angled aperture now attached to a sliding extension housed within a sight leaf body that can be extended outward revealing additional graduations from 1300 meters to 1600 meters (1,750 yds) in 50-meter increments. On the sight base itself, the 200 meter to 1200 meter ranging markings are relocated from the top edges of the sight walls to the outer left side wall, and adding an arm to the left side of the sight leaf that runs outside the sidwwall with which to line up the rear sight’s ranging.
Only on the M.81 are the range markings marked on the outside of the left rear sideplate
Nearly all M1878 Swiss Vetterli infantry rifles in service had their rear sights replaced with the updated, extended leaf M1881 rear sight, thus it is now rather difficult to find a M1878 Vetterli infantry rifle which still retains its original rear sight.
Top: a M1869/71 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle Bottom: A M1878/81 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle
M1881 Swiss Vetterli Rifle
(Schweizerisches Repetiergewehr Modele 1881)
The M1881 Vetterlis are a slight evolution of the M1878 and are visually distinguished principally by mounting with the Schmidt quadrantenvisier Modell 1881, Blatt ausziehbar (Schmidt quadrant sight model 1881, extendable blade) a redesigned Schmidt rear sight with an extending leaf which was also utilized on the M1878 & M1881 Stutzer Rifles (the double-set trigger equipped M1881 RepetierStutzer).
M1881 rifles were manufactured by Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern and marked similarly to the slightly earlier M1878 rifles.
The receivers are marked identically to the M1878 except substituting “M.81” for the earlier rifles’ “M.78”.
Production of the Swiss Vetterli rifle continued until 1887 when, because of the French introduction of M1886 Lebel rifle using newly developed nitrocellulose “smokeless” powder, the need for a modern smokeless breech loader became apparent. This French development soon led the Swiss to develop and adopt the M1889 Schmidt-Rubin.
Bayonet, Manufacturing Data, and Specifications of the M1881 Swiss Vetterli infantry rifle are identical to those of the M1878 rifles except for the new rear sight.
M1881 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The principal visual distinction between the M1869/71 and the M1881 is the addition of a new Schmidt-designed rear sight with improved quadrants and an integral telescoping extension leaf for use at substantially greater ranges. Most all M1878 rifles were subsequently modified by also fitting them with the M1881 rear sight, and those rifles probably should properly be denominated as “M1878/81” rifles for clarity, but there was never such an “official” designation.
The extendible rear sight leaf of this m1881 Vetterli is exposed for long range shooting
The Rear sight is an extending-leaf type, graduated to 1,600m. The new sight is further distinguished by being graduated on the left flat of the sight rather than along the upper edges as are the earlier model sights. Note that the M1881 sight also has a new indicator bar on the outside of the left sidewall that corresponds to the range markings.
The left outer sidewall of the M1881 rifle’s rear sight has its bluing deliberately polished off in order to make the ranging marks more visible and distinct. This is correct for this model.
Rear sights are also quite distinctive among the various Vetterli models and are an aid to identification. The M1869 is sighted to 1,000 schritt and the sight leaf is smooth. The M1869/71 sight is almost identical to the M1869, but is graduated to 1,000 meters and it has a small stud on the underside of its leaf to support it and minimize the likelihood of it being bent.
In contrast the later M1878 sight is a redesigned Schmidt sight graduated to 1,200 meters along the top edges of the sight rails, and the M1881 sight, outwardly almost identical to that of the M1878, incorporates a base leaf graduated to 1,200 meters and a telescoping leaf graduated to 1,600 meters. Unlike the M1878 sight, the graduations of the M1881 sight are marked along the outside of the left sight rail.
A Spare Firing Pin:
The two-pronged rimfire firing pin of the Swiss Vetterli series rifles long suffered an occasional tendency for one of the pins to break off after repeated firings. A fun feature regarding the introduction of the M1881 Swiss Vetterlis was the decision to supply the rifle with a cavity recessed inside the base of the buttstock, underneath the cast substantial steel buttplate, into which was stowed a spare firing pin. The firing pin was supplied wrapped in a tin or aluminum foil wrapped in paper and was accessed by removing the buttplate and retrieving it from its storage cavity.
The “spare firing pin cavity with spare firing pin" was also retrofitted to many if not all of the M1878 rifles that were upgraded to m1878/81 standards as discussed above.
The spare firing pins supplied with the M1881 rifles as stowed in the rifle’s buttstock beneath the buttplate.
Item 6. Translates literally as: “A spare fork was carried in a hole under the piston plate, wrapped in tinfoil (from 1878)”
M1881 MARKINGS
The left side of the receiver flat is marked with a Swiss cross, above “WAFFENFABRIK” above “BERN” above a six digit serial number above 207xxx above “M.81.” The knoxform is marked only with the serial number and Swiss inspection marks.
All Swiss Vetterli rifles are marked with the serial number, either in full or the last three digits, on all of the significant parts including: receiver, barrel, cartridge lifter, nosecap, striker spring housing and the stock.
Example of partially serialized parts. Most all of the significant parts of M1881 rifles are serialized with at least the last three numbers of its serial number, including but not limited to: receiver, barrel, cartridge lifter, nosecap, striker spring housing.
M1881 SPECIFICATIONS, STATISTICS & DATA
Overall Length: 1,326 mm (52.2 in)
Barrel Length: 840 mm (33.1 in)
Weight, empty: 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs)
Rifling: 4-groove; RH, concentric
Magazine: Tube magazine under barrel, 12 round capacity
Sight: Quadrant sight, graduated from 225 m (246 yds) to 1,200 m (1,310 yds) with an extending leaf graduated from 1300 to 1600 meters (1,750 yds).
The quadrants up to 1200 meters are prominently engraved into the left side of the sight base wall. From 1300 to 1600 meters markings are engraved into the top of the extendable sight leaf.
STUTZERS, CARBINES & CADET RIFLES
There were no fewer than eight (8) Swiss Vetterli sub-models comprising short rifles (Stutzers), Carbine & Cadet Rifles. Nine or ten is one is counting police versions. Because of the number of different models, these are discussed in a separate page which can be found here:
BAYONETS M1878, M1881 & M1887
(Vetterli Sägebajonett Modell 1878, 1881 & 1887)
M1878 Swiss “Pioneer” Sawback Sabre Bayonet
With the 1878 introduction of a new version of the Vetterli series rifles came the concurrent introduction of a new and considerably different bayonet. The series of “Pioneer” (akin to engineers or sappers) bayonets beginning with the Model 1878 and through to the M1887 consists of a set of rather large bayonets. Blades are almost 19 inches long with an overall length of nearly 2 feet (over half a meter!). They are among the more impressive bayonets of this era.
The M1878 Vetterli rifles themselves, and all subsequent infantry and stutzer rifles, were fitted with a bayonet lug that is integral with the cross-pin mounted forward barrel band/nosecap made to accept all rifle bayonets in this series. Just like the earlier M1863 and M1869/71 bayonets of the M1869 Swiss Vetterli series rifles, the M1878 bayonet, including the 1881 and 1887 versions, all mount on the rifle’s right side as do the earlier socket bayonets. Note that both the M1878 and the M1881 rifles could also mount both the earlier M1863 & M1869/71 Quadrangle Socket Bayonets, providing for extensive interchangeability, although the earlier rifles could not utilize the later bayonets.
Which bayonet is which?
Depending on the authority and the choice of cut-off dates, there are four or five models of Swiss pioneer sawback “bayonets.” We use the term bayonet loosely here for reasons that will become apparent shortly. The models of interest here have rivet-secured checkered horn grips with a long leaf spring bayonet catch rather than coiled spring button.
But which models are which? There is considerable confusion regarding which specific bayonet models as between the M1878, M1881 (if any!) and M1887 are which. This is in no small measure due to several world authorities being wrong about identification. (see discussion following).
Based upon the serial numbers collected by and which appear at www.swissrifles.com, M1878 rifles appear to start with serial numbers from about 150400, and their production seems to end around 164000.
Model 1878/81 rifles begin to appear around 168700 running to approximately 203600. Model 1881 rifle production starts around serial number 203800 ending at about 227400. Based upon some 30 examples that we have directly examined ourselves, this numbering appears to be substantially correct.
We believe that this series of bayonets was issued together with corresponding rifles and would in most cases (although not all) be serialized to match their rifles, as was done with the M1863/67 Swiss Milbank Amsler rifles and M1867 Swiss Peabody rifles. If this is correct, then bayonet 157051 pictured here, would have been issued with a Vetterli rifle also serialized 157051, which would have been a M1878 Swiss Vetterli rifle. This would make this bayonet necessarily a M1878 bayonet and not M 1887 variant.
The Model 1878 bayonet’s grips are secured with four (4) rivets
This bayonet features a ~19 inch straight spearpoint sawback blade with a steel cross guard. It is manufactured by S.J.G. NEUHAUSEN and so marked on the ricasso. Swiss Pioneer bayonets are housed in a black finished leather scabbard with steel ends.
Probably the most well-known American reference book on bayonets, indeed one of the bayonet “bibles” of world bayonet collecting, is “Bayonets From Janzen’s Notebook.” In this book, “Janzen” notes of page 185 that the M1878 Swiss Pioneer was the earliest of the Swiss sawback versions and that “The Model 1878 can be recognized by the fact that the handle is fastened by THREE RIVETS.
In his next paragraph Janzen states, erroneously: “The M-1878 is fullered on one side only and the M-1887 is fullered on both sides. The grips are fastened by FOUR rivets . . .”*
(* I can only guess that Janzen must have been seeing five lights . . .)
No lesser authority than Paul Kiesling, author of the widely respected four volume set “Bayonets of the World” describes at Numbers 371 and 371 (pages 50 & 51 of Volume Two) the Swiss M1878 and M1887 Pioneer bayonets and alleges that the M1878’s handles are secured with three rivets and fullered on one side only while the M1887’s handles are secured with four steel rivets and that the blade is fullered on both sides. It appears that Janzen copied Kiesling. Neither Kiesling nor Janzen offers drawing depicting the left side of the blade.
Note that virtually every set of photos of Swiss Pioneer bayonets will depict the right side of the blade, the side with a full-length fuller, but neglect to show photos of the left side of the blade. I offer that that is because only the right side of the blade is interesting, because only the right side of the blade is fullered!
In every one of the two dozen Swiss Vetterli Pioneer bayonets that we have examined which have been fullered on only one side (the right side) the composite handles have been retained with four rivets. To make matters more interesting, even the few 3-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonets of which we have seen photos have been fullered only one side, the right side.
WE HAVE YET TO SEE A SWISS VETTERLI PIONEER BAYONET THAT IS FULLERED ON BOTH SIDES OF ITS BLADE! If you have one or know of one, please send us photos! Thank you.
The M1878 Swiss Pioneer bayonet latch is sprung by a long leaf spring fastened to the right side of the blade.
The rifle bayonet’s six-digit serial number is marked prominently on the right side of the cross guard and the manufacturer’s name, always S.J.G. NEUHAUSEN is stamped forward of the cross guard on the ricasso.
THE M1881 SWISS PIONEER BAYONET
The highly knowledgeable authors of the well-known website www.swissrifles.com describe a Model 1881 Swiss Pioneer bayonet, but indicate that it’s only distinction from a M1878 Swiss bayonet, other than scabbard, is that the M1881 has a cross guard 1mm thicker (7mm vs 6mm) than that of the M1878. We have not been able to confirm this independently, and absent confirmed versions of each side-by-side or using a micrometer, we ourselves would not be able to distinguish these models. If any bayonet collector might send us photos of a M1878 alongside a M1881 we would be sincerely appreciative.
2,000 bayonets were ordered by the Swiss Border Guard Corps in 1887 for use with the M1878 Swiss Border Guard Carbine. These were made by Neuhausen, will have grips secured by 4 rivets (!) and only have 4-digit serial numbers below 2,000. Reference is made to the link here provided.
THE M1887 SWISS PIONEER BAYONET
There is a M1887 Swiss Pioneer bayonet. That bayonet will be six-digit serially numbered on its cross guard, serial numbers will be no lower than 200000, and its handles will be secured via 3 rather than 4 steel rivets.
Three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet, Serial Number: 226269
A second example three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet:
Three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet, Serial Number: 224670
A third example three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet:
Three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet, Serial Number: 217126
We have only ever seen two photos of the LEFT side (or bottom side, if the bayonet is mounted on the rifle) of a M1887 Swiss Pioneer bayonet. In both photos, the Left side is NOT fullered!
A high serial number three-rivet Swiss Pioneer bayonet with no fuller on the left side of its blade.
We have been advised that “THE BAYONET BOOK” by Watts & White in the SWISS SECTION, pictures a 3-Rivet Grip M1881 version on page Page 269 at Item 600.
We do not currently have access to this book. If any reader does have access to The Bayonet Book, would you please email us a photo of this page/item number with information on how the authors identify this bayonet. We thank you sincerely.
Photo Credit: waffensammlung.ch. The photo’s tag reads in part:
Repetiegewehr Vetterli
Serien-Nr. 227671
M81
Zubehör, Bajonet Nr 227652
Note that this 3-rivet bayonet, only a few numbers from those of its accompanying rifle, is identified as a M1887 and that it is NOT fullered on its left (bottom) side.
Bayonet Specifications for the M1878, M1881 & M1887 Bayonets
Overall length: 601mm (23 5/8 in)
Blade Length: 480 mm (18 15/16 in)
Muzzle Ring Dia: 18.4 mm (.725 in)
OTHER PIONEER “BAYONET” VERSIONS
(NOTE: If your Swiss sawback bayonet has wood grips secured by two rivets, that bayonet is for the M1889 Schmidt-Rubin or later rifle, and not for a Vetterli.)
We have repeatedly read that the 1878s,1881s and 1887s came in both sawtooth and straight back variations. We have never seen an original M1878 or M1881 or m1887 Swiss straightback bayonet. If you know of such, please advise us so that we might update this website page. Thank you.
M1878 “Musician’s” Pioneer Bayonet
The M1878 “Musician’s” or “Bandsman’s” sawback bayonet is a term for a class of swords (not actually bayonets) derived from M1878 bayonets for issuance to troops that were not otherwise issued rifles or carbines. Therefore they are overall quite similar to the standard M1878 Vetterli rifle bayonet. They are fitted with identical grips and rivets and a leaf spring activated release stud. However, this variant’s muzzle ring is ground flat such that the shoulders which would fit around the front sight are removed, and it has had its mounting groove for the bayonet lug wood filled. We understand that a different variant exists with the muzzle ring filled in as well but have not seen such an example. Nevertheless, as this “bayonet” was intended for use only as a sidearm and never to be fitted to a rifle it is usually found without serial number, and therefore is not further considered here.
Note that there is also a M1906 and a M1914 Swiss sawback bayonet variants mounting wood grips, and the press stud is activated via an internal coil spring and not a flat spring. These bayonets are for later, smokeless powder rifles.
M1878 & M1881 CARTRIDGES
ALL Swiss Vetterli Rifles, Stutzer Rifles, Carbines and even Cadet Rifles were chambered for the M1867 10.4 x 38 mm Gewehr Patrone rimfire cartridge.
We hope to eventually describe this cartridge and its varieties in detail in the CARTRIDGE section of the 10.4mm Swiss Milbank-Amslers, the first rifles to adopt this excellent black powder cartridge; however that page has not yet been addressed as part of our 21st century site revision project. In the meantime, there is some good discussion and photos in the CARTRIDGE section of the M1869 & M1869/71 Vetterli Rifles page linked here.
MANUFACTURING DATA
M1878 MANUFACTURING DATA: About 85,000 - 90,000 M1878 infantry rifles were made by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern between 1878-81.
M1881 MANUFACTURING DATA: M1881 rifles were manufactured by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern, 1881-1887. Accurate total production unknown, but www.swissrifles.com’s serial number survey has discovered M1881 examples with serial numbers ranging from 2038xx up to 2274xx.
This suggests that on the order of only some 35,000 - 40,000 M.81 Swiss infantry rifles may have been produced, as distinct from the approximately 90,000 M.78s which appear to have been manufactured.
UTILIZATION BY OTHER COUNTRIES
None Known.
PREDECESSOR & FOLLOW-ON RIFLES
Predecessor: M1869/71 Swiss Vetterli Infantry Rifle
Follow-On Rifle: M1889 Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Infantry rifle
ALL OF THE VETTERLI MODELS
This chart, created by Jan van Gelderen via reference to multiple different written sources, of a multitude of Swiss Vetterli models developed and officially designated between 1868 and 1881, offers perhaps the best single listing of all (or at least nearly all) Swiss Vetterli longarms that one is ever likely to encounter:
In addition to following links to other Swiss Vetterlis via the MilitaryRifles.com MAIN Index page / Switzerland, you can also navigate to other Swiss Vetterli pages directly from here:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
Swiss Rifle Collectors Facebook Group
Page first sketched out February 8, 1999
Revised May 24, September 15, 1999
Revised May 8, 2000
Revised January 12, 2001
Converting/Shooting page March 3, 2001
Updated: Nov 11, 2021
Updated: March 17, 2025