Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1871 Infantry Magazine Rifle Serial No 69464 - 10.35 x 47mm Francotte-Martini Rifles & Parts see Ian Skennerton’s The Lee

see Ian Skennerton’s The Lee Enfield 2007

with partial original leather chin strap

However it does have a 3" x 3" tear where it got caught on something long ago

1943 edition of LIFE Magazine with Photo of Heavner and an article featuring his unit in North Africa

Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1871 Infantry Magazine Rifle Serial No 69464 - 10.35 x 47mm Francotte-Martini Rifles & Parts see Ian Skennerton’s The LeeOriginal Item: Only One Available. Introduced in 1867, the Vetterli rifle system utilized the "Winchester" tube magazine system for cartridge storage under the barrel. The original 1867 model had an external hammer, like a Winchester, but in 1868 this was changed to an internal cocking bolt spring. The cleaning rod was moved to the side of the rifle, but this proved problematic, so the model of 1869 moved it back to the under barrel position. In 1871,