Author Topic: New Acquisitions: Vetterli & Springfield Model 1873 (Read 5266 times)

OnTheFly · « **on:** March 11, 2010, 01:51:20 PM »

My mother is passing on a few of my father's firearms. The first is a Swiss Vetterli. This first photo is a bad one, but you can see the entire rifle...

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OnTheFly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:53:05 PM »

This is a close-up of the action. It is in pretty good condition.

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OnTheFly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:56:17 PM »

Here is the Springfield Model 1873. It was manufactured in Oct-Dec 1884.

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OnTheFly · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:57:13 PM »

One more of the Springfield Model 1873...

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justsomeguy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2010, 03:17:29 PM »

WOW! Those are some great rifles. I'm sure they have some interesting history attached. I hope you can keep those in your family forever.

JimP · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2010, 03:39:13 PM »

I remember reading Old Jules by Mari Sandoz ....... Old Jules had a Vetterli, state of the art for the time....

NE Bull · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2010, 04:08:01 PM »

Wow is right, very nice condition for the age!! Question is: wall hangers or shooters?

OnTheFly · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2010, 08:00:22 PM »

Quote from: NE Bull on March 11, 2010, 04:08:01 PM

Wow is right, very nice condition for the age!! Question is: wall hangers or shooters?

Well NE Bull...I want to shoot them. Figured I might have a gunsmith give them a once over. Then find some appropriate ammo. I've been doing a little research, and it appears I will have to convert the Vetterli to center-fire if I want to shoot it. The conversion doesn't sound too bad, and it can be converted back to rimfire. The ammo for that may be a little more troublesome, but do-able.

The Springfield 1873 will be a little bit easier. Just have to make sure I find some 45-70 with lead bullets and low enough pressure. I have seen some cowboy action 45-70, but it has flat head lead bullets. Not sure how good of ballistics that will produce in a rifle.

Fly

bkoenig · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2010, 08:00:46 PM »

Very cool, I love trap doors, but that Vetterli is awesome.

justsomeguy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2010, 08:14:37 PM »

OnTheFly, Do you reload? It should be very easy to come up with some starting loads that are quite safe for the 1873. After of course the rifle has been given a good once over by your smith.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2010, 08:27:44 PM »

Quote from: justsomeguy on March 11, 2010, 08:14:37 PM

OnTheFly, Do you reload? It should be very easy to come up with some starting loads that are quite safe for the 1873. After of course the rifle has been given a good once over by your smith.

I do not reload...yet. I do have a friend with all the equipment. Found this website about the conversion and modifying a .348 case. Not sure if the friend would feel comfortable letting me use his equipment. I'm sure he would at least show me the ropes.

Fly

George · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2010, 07:32:47 AM »

I have an 1873 45/70 that I bought in a pawn shop in Utah in the late 50's for $15.00.....I have the equip to reload for it. There is a good reference in Hornady's reloading manual forl the 1873. It is fun to shoot.
It will jolt you about like a 12ga......
Rp

bkoenig · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2010, 11:22:53 AM »

45/70 with cast bullets and black powder shot at a silhouette is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. I'm not sure where you're at, but you should check out the big bore gong match we have in Lincoln every month. Any single shot rifle over .38 caliber is welcome, and you can shoot smokeless or black as long as it's a cast bullet with no gas check.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2010, 12:56:47 PM »

Quote from: bkoenig on March 12, 2010, 11:22:53 AM

45/70 with cast bullets and black powder shot at a silhouette is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. I'm not sure where you're at, but you should check out the big bore gong match we have in Lincoln every month. Any single shot rifle over .38 caliber is welcome, and you can shoot smokeless or black as long as it's a cast bullet with no gas check.

I imagine that is at the Izaak Walton range? How far do you shoot? 100 yds?

bkoenig · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2010, 08:26:36 PM »

Quote from: OnTheFly on March 12, 2010, 12:56:47 PM

Quote from: bkoenig on March 12, 2010, 11:22:53 AM
45/70 with cast bullets and black powder shot at a silhouette is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. I'm not sure where you're at, but you should check out the big bore gong match we have in Lincoln every month. Any single shot rifle over .38 caliber is welcome, and you can shoot smokeless or black as long as it's a cast bullet with no gas check.

I imagine that is at the Izaak Walton range? How far do you shoot? 100 yds?

Yep, it's at the Ikes. We shoot chickens offhand at 200 and and pigs, rams, & turkeys at 300 off cross sticks. The first shoot of the year is April 4th at 8:00 AM.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2010, 09:23:39 PM »

Quote from: bkoenig on March 12, 2010, 08:26:36 PM

Yep, it's at the Ikes. We shoot chickens offhand at 200 and and pigs, rams, & turkeys at 300 off cross sticks. The first shoot of the year is April 4th at 8:00 AM.

Do you have to be a member?

Fly

bkoenig · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2010, 07:36:36 AM »

No, it's open to everyone with a $10 entry fee. It's a pretty informal shoot, no prizes or anything. Just a bunch of guys BSing and having fun.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2010, 05:17:12 PM »

Quote from: bkoenig

No, it's open to everyone with a $10 entry fee. It's a pretty informal shoot, no prizes or anything. Just a bunch of guys BSing and having fun.

Wouldn't you flipp'n know it! The matches are on the first Monday of every month through October, and I am out of town on work EVERY time. That bites! :angry9:

Fly

bkoenig · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2010, 06:49:09 PM »

They're actually on the first Sunday.

OnTheFly · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2010, 08:17:59 PM »

Quote from: bkoenig on March 13, 2010, 06:49:09 PM

They're actually on the first Sunday.

Oops! Yes...that's what I meant. I work a set number of days on and off, so it takes a while before I have a first Sunday of the month off.

I hope to join Ikes this year. Maybe I will see you out there with one, or several, of my rifles.

Fly