Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1878 Magazine Rifle by Waffenfabrik Bern Serial 202954 - 10.4×38mm VHS The moral of my story

The moral of my story is plain as you can see

The insignia is in fantastic condition with a great patina

was established in LONGUEVILLE

so this was not a last ditch field modification

Original Swiss Vetterli Repetiergewehr M1878 Magazine Rifle by Waffenfabrik Bern Serial 202954 - 10.4×38mm VHS The moral of my storyOriginal 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,