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Any idea as to what I have and value?

jjmitchell60
I found an old military long arm today in my late friends collection. It seems to be either 11 mm or 43 caliber.
It is a bolt action with a loading hole on the right side of the receiver and the spent hull exists the receiver at the top of the receiver. The trigger gaurd has a curl for the middle finger to rest in.It is 52" over all length, 32" barrel, has on the left side of the receiver WAFFENFABRIK
BERN
181352
M78
And has 118352 on the side of the barrel right under the rear sight.
It has a bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel as well.
Any ideas as to what it is and an approximate value in good condition with all parts working and all wood in great condition. Thanks for any input.

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Contender Man
    Sounds like an early Mauser, but really need pictures to pin things down for sure as your description don't jibe fully with the Mauser's that I know of. Of course it could be one that has had some modification(s). The Bern bit point to Swiss Mfg., but??? Then there is the Mauser 78/80 produced for Serbia??????

    Also some more descriptive info would help. Such as single shot or magazine and if latter what type (box or tube). Mfg. date has to be there somewhere unless that what you were implying with the M78. Describe all the marks on the barrel and action, including their location, and that would include crests, proofs and marks.

    I believe Hangfire nailed it. does it look like this:

    7040526-M.jpg


    That trigger guard mention was buggin me and I couldn't put my finger on it ... might have sorted it out eventually, but there's folks here much sharper than I am on the "old ones".


    6730814-S.gif

    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • Hangfire
    Sounds like a Swiss-Vetterli...cal 41 Swiss rimfire.Does it have a big round receiver?Check the boltface and see if its rimfire.I can't help with current value.

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • heavyiron
    Hi jjmitchell60,

    I don't know jack about identifying the rifle, other than Waffenfabrik would be German manufacturing, Bern the city, and M78 maybe the model.

    I know a lot more about cartridges. I do know that the early Mausers circa 1870s were chambered for the rather large .43 Mauser cartridge. It is a large bottlenecked case with lead bullet, and beveled base.
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  • duckhunter
    see these 41's sell for $200.00-$300.00. good luck,

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • rufe-snow
    Here is a excellent site that will help you identify your Swiss Vetterli Rifle.


    http://www.swissrifles.com/vetterli/

    luger_4.jpg
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  • jjmitchell60
    Thank you to all that replied, below is a couple who nailed it! I will have some others that I have no idea as to what and will ask about them later this week.
    Contender Man has posted a really good picture of exactly what I have, Thanks!
    Here is the info from rufe-snow's site as to the rifle( I figureged you sir would have a really good idea as to what it is, thank you!):
    Model 1878 Rifle
    Barrel Length: 33.1 inches
    Overall Length: 52.2 inches
    Weight: 10.1 lbs empty
    Chambering: 10.4x38 (.41) Swiss Rimfire
    Rifling: 4 groove, RH twist, 1 in 26"
    Velocity: 1425 fps
    Capacity: 13 (12 round tube magazine +1 in the cartridge elevator)
    Total Production: ~55,000
    Manufacture Dates: 1878-1881 Eidgen?ssische Waffenfabrik, Bern
    Detailed Production Information
    Although attempts had been made to improve the 69/71 design, the Model 1878 action, aside from some minor improvements, changed very little. Externally, the 1878 had only one barrel band and lacked the stock-dicing of the earlier models. Other changes included the omission of the gas relief holes, the adoption of a curved buttplate, and changes were made to the metal finishing process. In addition, the 1878 front barrel band was fitted with a bayonet lug to allow it to mount a sword bayonet, rather than a socket bayonet. The older style sights were replaced with Schmidt Quadrant Sight These sights were, in turn, later replaced by an improved Model 1881 Quadrant on most 1878s.
    Model 1878 Sight Model 1881 Sight



    The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
    Rita Mae Brown
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  • mazo kid
    You have it figured out. As you noted, it uses a rimfire cartridge but they are fairly easy to convert to center fire and brass can be made from 348 Win. or purchased already formed from www.buffaloarms.com. I see auctions starting at $300-400 but no takers. More realistic price is in the $100-250 range. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • Hangfire
    Contender--I just have happened to have owned a couple over the years. I recognized the marks and also recognized the description of the trigger guard[8D][8D]

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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