The Model 1882 Vetterli BertoldoWhen the Swiss Army adopted the Vetterli rifle in 1868, they we
The Model 1882 Vetterli BertoldoWhen the Swiss Army adopted the Vetterli rifle in 1868, they were in possession of the most advanced rifle design in the world. The Swiss Vetterli was a bolt action repeating rifle which used a 12 round tubular magazine. Most other military rifles of the day held zero. In 1870, the Italians also adopted the Vetterli, however the Italian Vetterli was significantly different from the Swiss Vetterli in that it lacked a magazine, instead being single shot bolt action breech loaders. For the most part, the Italian Vetterli remained that way until 1887, when the M1887 Vetterli Vitali was introduced with a four round box magazine.However there was one Italian Vetterli rifle which did use a magazine, the M1882 Vetterli Bertoldo. The M1882 Vetterli Bertoldo is basically an M1870 Italian Vetterli with the addition of a tube magazine. The Vetterli Bertoldo was adopted by the Italian Navy to arm its marines. One possible reason why the Italian Army never adopted a magazine repeater was mostly because of budget concerns. However, due to the small size of the Italian Marine Corps compared to the army, it was affordable for their adoption. Like other Italian Vetterli’s, the Vetterli Bertoldo is chambered for the 10.35x47mmR cartridge. A carbine version was also produced. Both are extremely rare today. -- source link
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