Fnally! Documentation of my Vetterli in use in the Nebraska Panhandle in 1880's

[River City John]

Courtesy of the Nebraska State Historical Society:

http://nebraskahistory.pastperfect-online.com/35987cgi/mweb.exe?request=record;id=9FC85BEA-7A1F-4690-AC49-007755063597;type=101


I'm legit!

RCJ

[Delmonico]

I knew it was out there, just finding it was the problem.

[Oregon Bill]

John, that is simply awesome -- and owned by none other than the irascible "Old Jules" hisself! Assume yours has been converted to centerfire. Now we need a clip of you running that shooter at a meeting.

[pony express]

Here you go, OB: River City John is about 3:20 into the video.



From our match in Nebraska, 1013

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Here you go, OB: River City John is about 3:20 into the video.



From our match in Nebraska, 1013

Great video. really enjoyed.

[Oregon Bill]

Great to see a feller running a Vetterli! Congratulations John!

[Delmonico]

Nothing like a Vetterli in the morning:

[River City John]

It's known that there were multiple Vetterli's in use during the time period in that part of Nebraska. Old Jules liked to promote other Swiss immigrants to the area and made a little side business by selling them Vetterli's.

There is one documented case of where he had his Vetterli stolen. A local Indian tribe contacted him that they had found his beloved rifle. When he met with them and they proudly produced the Vetterli, he had to disappoint them by explaining that the rifle wasn't his, but another Vetterli from an unknown owner.

I've always wanted to try and research gun shop or hardware store inventory lists to track sales of .41 Swiss ammunition. As mentioned in passing on the above NSHS link, he was frustrated at some point in finding an ammunition source for his Vetterli. But it was available, as I believe both UMC and Remington, along with others, manufactured the 10.4X38R.

Oregon Bill, yes, both my Vetterli's are converted to centerfire. I have recently begun to cast bullets designed for this rifle with a custom mould offered by Accurate Moulds. They sell two different sets, one casting a 330gr. and 335gr. bullet. I use converted Lebel brass. I am totally taken with this firearm for ruggedness, accuracy and simplicity of construction. Such that even I, a notorious "all thumbs"-kind of gunsmith, can disassemble, strip it down AND confidently re-assemble again.

RCJ

[Oregon Bill]

Del: Some things were note meant to be seen by your fellow man ...



John: Not one but TWO Vetterlis? That's awesome. I have had one or two over the years but never one properly converted, so I have not had the pleasure of live fire. But from what I can tell , the ballistics of the cartridge and that relatively heavy, blunt bullet would make  it a fine whitetail killer.

[JohnsonBarr]

Hey John, I came across the 41 Swiss rim fire offered on page 66 of the August 1895 Winchester catalog. It refers to the cartridge as Adapted to the Vetterlin and other Swiss rifles. Reprints of this catalog are available from Abby at www.cornellpubs.com   So, does the rifle come with tweezers and a tooth pick too?

[River City John]

Thanks.


RCJ

[River City John]

   So, does the rifle come with tweezers and a tooth pick too?

And chocolate spoon and cheese knife.

RCJ

[Rowdy Fulcher]

RCJ
Is there a plan to use this for Deer Hunting ? Nice looking rifle .

[River City John]

RCJ
Is there a plan to use this for Deer Hunting ? Nice looking rifle .

Rowdy, I'll be honest with you, I've never been hunting.

I've been fishing, but my gut guess is that the Vetterli .41 cartridge is just a little too powerful for most game fish. The rifle itself is long enough, tho', that I could tie a line with a hook and sinker onto the muzzle and fish off the bank.

My father, and grandfather, did not hunt so I never had a mentor to introduce me. And I guess it's a case of I didn't miss it. My gun ownership really didn't blossom until I got into CAS 16 years ago, and it was firearms acquired to that purpose. I did have a German Mauser in college but just for plinking.

RCJ

[Cliff Fendley]

I would think it would make for a great woods gun.

[River City John]

I would think it would make for a great woods gun.

Maybe the carbine version. At the end of a stage run I'm beginning to feel the weight of the muzzle causing the front sight to dance around a bit.

I admit it makes for a tempting thought that, if necessary, it would be neat to attach the socket bayonet and deliver the coup d'grace.

RCJ

[Ol Gabe]

Hi Ho, sports fans!
RCJ says "I've been fishing, but my gut guess is that the Vetterli .41 cartridge is just a little too powerful for most game fish."
Well now, fellow NCOWS Pards & Pardettes, it is a well-known fact that in the states that call themselves part of the 'way down east', i.e. the northeastern quadrant of the US, have been known to have annual seasons where they get up in a tree over a pond or river and harvest fish with a rifle. Yup, it has been documented and written up in several articles in sporting mags down through the past several decades. I think there might even be some film of suchlike but I can't recall where I saw it, probably on some 1970's fishing show.
Anyway, the concept was that you'd get up in a tree stand, of sorts, watch the water and when a big one would come in pop it then get down and net it, smoke it and enjoy it. If I recall correctly they were after carp, pickerel and muskies.
So, RCJ's Vetterli may indeed be qualified for Nebraska and Kansas carp, who knows, may be a new season in the making, HAH!
Best regards and good shooting!
"Ol Gabe
NCOWS #925
   

[Delmonico]

Since my statute of limitations is up, I will say the 375 Winchester Big Bore 94 is an fine fish gun although I've only used it on rough fish aka carp.  The idea is to hit close enough to disrupt the swim bladder similar to a DuPont Lure only with less collateral damage.  With that big flat nosed bullet I think it would be a fine fish rifle.

[Oregon Bill]

Well, I think a feller better pay close attention to the angle of the shot, lest the bullet skip off the water and "fetch a mule" on the neighbor's ranch ...

[River City John]

Am I sensing a new side match for NCOWS events?

I'd rather lure those big ones in close to the bank and club them with the butt. Or see my comment on attaching the socket bayonet . . . perhaps spear fishing?


RCJ