Product Details
* WAFFENFABRIK BERN, SWITZERLAND
A RARE 10.4mm (VETTERLI) CARBINE, MODEL '1878 BORDER-GUARD', serial no. 287,
for 1880/81, with blued 19in. barrel, block and blade fore-sight, elevating tangent rear-sight of carbine size, slab-sided receiver marked with makers details and fitted with a hinged loading gate, rounded bolt housing, the brushed bright bolt with blued cocking indicator housing and turned-down handle, walnut butt-stock with reinforcing pin at head (as supplied), full length walnut fore-end, blued iron furniture including nosecap with bayonet lug and under-barrel clearing rod, fine original condition complete with period issue leather sling
Provenance: Probably the hardest of the Vetterli family of rifles to obtain, the 1878 Border-Guard carbine was only produced in 400 pieces during 1880-1881. It was only issued to Swiss Border Control personnel, hence its designation. Basically similar to the M1878 rifle, these were not cut-down to carbine length but manufactured in their own serial number run and fitted with carbine style sights. They can be found with or without the rare loading gate and with or without chequered fore-ends
* Please note this item is subject to 5% VAT on the hammer price.
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Estimate £800-1,200
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament