The M1870 Vetterli was the Italian service rifle from 1870-1878, when it was replaced with the M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali variant. The M1870 was a single-shot bolt action rifle chambered for the 10.4mm Vetterli centrefire cartridge, at first with black powder and later with smokeless powder. The M1870 was based upon the M1869 Swiss Vetterli but simplified for economy.
In 1887 (until 1896), the Italian Army began converting the M1870 to a four-shot repeating rifle, based on the system designed by Italian Artillery Captain G. Vitali. This conversion added a box magazine fed from a Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip, in the same caliber 10.4x47R mm as before. The conversion is indicted by a cartouche "ARITG. FAB. D'ARMI TERNI 1888" (date varies), on the butt stock. The center of the cartouche displays a Crest of Savoy and the word, "Riparazione" (Italian for repair) is directly below the cartouche.
Shortages of small arms appeared from the very beginning of Italy’s entrance into World War I on the side of the Allies. As more of the population mobilized for the first total war in European history, the supply of modern small arms fell short before the end of 1915 and a large number of obsolete Modello 1878/87 Vetterli-Vital were issued to newly formed regiments that were not expected to be in combat, however, troops carried these antiquated rifles into battle on several occasions.
During World War I, many M1870/87 rifles were converted to share the same 6.5mm smokeless powder round as the primary service rifle, the Carcano, by adding a 6.5mm barrel lining and a Carcano-style magazine. These conversions are not considered safe to fire with standard 6.5x52mm loads.