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We just received a small quantity of original Italian Vetterli Model 1870/87 rifles. All rifles are chambered in the 10.4x47mmR cartridge. This batch of rifles has the rear sight and base missing. These rifles may or may not come with a front sight blade. This modification was probably done by cavalry units in Ethiopia.
The condition is fair overall condition. These rifles have been in storage in Ethiopia for a century. The rifles are functional. They will have some surface corrosion, surface rust, wear on the metal and dings, dents, scratches, etc. in the wood. These rifles may have some cracks in the stock and minor pitting. Hand select rifles are generally more towards fair to good overall condition, but please keep in mind these rifles are over 130 years old. We will pick the best out of what is available. May be missing some very small parts such as a front sight or sling swivel, but generally they are mostly complete.
Items are surplus firearms. Firearms are sold as is. No exchange nor refund!
These rifles are considered Antique and therefore do not require any Licenses. A government Photo ID like Drivers License or passport will be required to purchase these rifles, please upload at the checkout. Thanks for your business!
ANTIQUE – NO FFL OR C&R REQUIRED, Only Photo ID.
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10 reviews for Vetterli Model 1870/87 Rifle Caliber 10.4x47mmR B-Grade complete without rear sight!
FranklinTompkins (verified owner) –
Received mine today (10/23/23), and can’t be happier. Shipped fast, well packaged, and Fed Ex was quick on the dely. Rifle was better than expected. I knew the rear sight was gone, but the rifle looks like it will clean up nicely. The rifling looks pretty good, and I even got a cleaning rod!
This is the 11th rifle I have bought and glad to say that I have been pleased with them all. Lots of “quality time” ahead of me this Winter getting them spriced up. Now we just need a good source for spare parts (hint, hint).
FranklinTompkins (verified owner) –
Second one delivered today (10/30/23), almost as good as the first one I rec’d a week ago. No cleaning rod this time : (
Still very ice piece of history. Get yours while you can!
Nicholas Guarino –
I was expecting a train wreck and I got a complete firearm in surprising good shape, stock was solid and should look real nice after a thorough cleaning.
Jamesy362 (verified owner) –
I gotta say I was expecting a shot out piece of junk but I was extremely suprised with the rifle I got. The rifling is fantastic and the stock only has a few minor cracks and all I need is to find a rear sight and clean it up real good. I’m a little upset about the wire wheeling but otherwise I can’t complain
MichaelPaccilli (verified owner) –
Once again, very impressed with the rifle I received!! A bit dirty, and after a few hours cleaning I now have a beautiful 1884 Terni-with fantastic rifling in the bore!! Highly recomeded to any looking to add a Vetterli to their collection, at a great price- Thank you RTI!!!
markapahls (verified owner) –
Threw out the reviews that sounded too good to be true and the reviews that sounded like like crying because the 140 year old rifle they got from Africa was disgusting and rusty. I have taken chances on antique rifles before and had a ball fixing them up to shoot. Read up front about what to expect missing rear sight,cleaning rod,small cracks in stock. Sent my 199 bucks and rolled the dice. 70/87 arrived in a week,fedex,good packaging. Box contained black,rusty,discustingly dirty old rifle. Just what I ordered. Half a gallon of mineral spirits,steel wool ,oxpho blue and linseed oil later it looks great. Bore was sharp and bright. Even had a cleaning rod. Couldn’t find a proper rear sight so I soldered on a mount and used a 91 carcano sight. Shoots 5” groups at 100 yards 6 o’clock hold on sr-1 target. Reamed throat to 29/64 the to use 44 cal bullets sized.427 instead of heeled bullets you can’t find anywhere anyhow. Hope you have as much luck. Don’t set your sights too high
BaylorBlackwell (verified owner) –
My 1870/87 Vetterli-Vitali arrived earlier today (4/4/2024) and I really could not be happier with what I got. The front sight and cleaning rod were gone (as fully expected) but other than that, I received a great piece. The stock is in fantastic shape with tons of great color left and relatively few dings and scratches with no breaks or cracks at all. There are three brass nails lined up on the butt, a really nice bit of trench art. All of the metal has cleaned up nicely. I think a few parts, mostly the magazine and stock plate around it, got a taste of the Ethiopian wire wheel unfortunately, but that’s not RTI’s fault and it isn’t anything horrendous anyway. The bore isn’t mirror bright of course, but there is good rifling all the way through and it mostly just needed a cleaning like everything else.
This is the third B Grade rifle I’ve gotten from RTI, and I think each one has been better than the last. Once again, I couldn’t be happier with this one, it was a great buy.
reichertlife (verified owner) –
Just got my 10.4 X 47 Vetterli the other day alongside a 6.5 Vetterli, And I have to say this rifle was much better than I was expecting for a B grade and the rifling is honestly some of the best rifling I’ve seen when compared to Some other rifles in my collection. Everything is completely functional other than being a little dirty, nothing a little cleaning and a couple coats of linseed oil can’t fix however. Overall, extremely happy with my purchase and I’ll be buying more from RTI soon.
atomicpanda1977 (verified owner) –
The fellas in picking/shipping chose what I consider a fine looking antique…great job guys! Yeah it’s crusty, rusty, and missing the rear sight and rod, but I expected that. I did not expect a stock in such good shape with no cracks or chunks missing, a cool AOI mark on the buttstock, a decent bore, and all the other hardware present! This is probably my 4th “B” grade purchase and my intent was to decorate my walls with these relics, but this one will find a spot in the safe once it’s cleaned and inspected to make sure it’s safe to fire.
EliHines (verified owner) –
Bought during the 4th of July sale. Rifle arrived as described with a great bore. Should be a good shooter once fully cleaned.