M1870 Italian Vetterli
| Vetterli Model 1870 | |
|---|---|
|
Vetterli-Vitali rifle M1870/87. | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin |
_crowned.svg.png){kind=small} Kingdom of Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1870-1941 (at least) |
| Used by | Kingdom of Italy |
| Wars |
First Italo-Ethiopian War Boxer Rebellion World War I Second Italo-Ethiopian War |
| Production history | |
| Variants | M1870/87 and M1870/87/15 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
M1870/87: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg) M1870/87/15: 10.19 lb (4.62 kg) |
| Length | 52.95 in (134.5 cm) |
| Barrel length | 33.85 in (86.0 cm) |
|
| |
| Cartridge |
M1870/87: 10.4×47mmR M1870/87/15: 6.5×52 mm Carcano |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity |
M1870/87: 1,410 ft/s (430 m/s) M1870/87/15: 2,395 ft/s (730 m/s) |
| Effective firing range |
M1870/87: 2,000 m (2,200 yd) M1870/87/15: 2,000 m (2,200 yd) |
| Feed system |
M1870: single shot M1870/87: 4 round magazine M1870/87/15: 6 round magazine |
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 loaded with black powder and later with smokeless powder. The M1870 was based upon the M1869 Swiss Vetterli but simplified for economy.
M1870/87
- 10.4mm Fucile di Fanteria, Modello 1870/87 Vetterli-Vitali
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.
M1870/87/15
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 Mannlicher-style magazine. These conversions are not considered safe to fire with standard 6.5x52mm loads. These rifles were used again in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, mostly by native African soldiers.[1]
Sources
- Italian Vetterli MILITARY RIFLES IN THE AGE OF TRANSITION
- M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali MILITARY RIFLES IN THE AGE OF TRANSITION
For the specifications and the service history of the Italain vetterli vitals rifles. M1870/87 and the M1870/18/15: http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Italian%20Rifles/The%20ITALIAN%20VETTERLI-VITALI%20RIFLES/VETTERLI-VITALI%20M1870%20MOSCHETTO%20CAVALRY%20CARBINE.wps.htm#MODEL_18708715_RIFLE, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Italo-Ethiopian_War, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battaglia_dell%27Amba_Alagi, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battaglia_di_Adua, https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vetterli-Vitali_Mod._1870/87, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vetterli-Vitali_Mod._1870/87/15, http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=156589 Italian forces in the Boxer Rebellion.