Waffenfabrik Bern M.78 (M1878/81) Vetterli .41 Swiss Bolt-Action Rifle, 33-inch Barrel, 12+1 Capacity
This Swiss Vetterli M.78 (M1878/81) bolt-action rifle was produced by Waffenfabrik Bern during the 1878–1881 era and is marked on the receiver "WAFFENFABRIK BERN M.78." It is an antique, .41 Swiss, tubular-magazine rifle with the later Schmidt-style 1881 quadrant rear sight. Reported matching serials are present on the receiver and barrel, with a partial match on the magazine cover.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Fouling: Moderate Fouling - Lead or copper fouling with noticeable buildup.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Given the rifle's age, it presents in decent to good condition with pronounced evidence of prior use and handling.
What’s Included
- Waffenfabrik Bern M.78 (M1878/81) Vetterli bolt-action rifle in .41 Swiss
The M.78 (M1878/81) represents a key Swiss service pattern built by W+F Bern. The receiver is clearly marked "WAFFENFABRIK BERN M.78," aligning it with Swiss state production during the 1878–1881 period. Its antique status and documented configuration make it a notable example of the Vetterli lineage.
Chambered in .41 Swiss, this rifle uses the Vetterli system with an under-barrel tubular magazine and a right-side loading gate. It feeds 12 rounds in the tube plus one in the chamber (12+1) and ejects from the top, reflecting the hallmark features of the Swiss Vetterli design.
The rear sight is the Schmidt-style 1881 flip-up quadrant with protective ears, paired with a front blade. This later-pattern sight arrangement is correct for the M1878/81 update and provides the distinctive stepped elevation setup associated with the period.
It features a 33-inch steel barrel and a steel receiver exhibiting a mottled gray/brown patina with scattered freckling and minimal to no remaining original blue, set in a full-length, straight-grip hardwood stock. Length of pull measures 12.0 inches. Reported matching serials on the receiver and barrel, with a partial match on the magazine cover, add useful production continuity to this example.