Vetterli centerfire conversion

[ParadiseDweller]

I have a 1881 Swiss Vetterli that I converted to centerfire. Shots nice and a really cool old gun. Thing is I lost interest after shooting a few times. Went under "been there, done that". Plus, anyone who knows, loading is a labor intensive project. I have 348 win. brass and 8mm lebel (much harder to convert, at least for me) about 50 rounds between the two. Loaded with BP and 320grn lead .429. Any idea how much its worth with alll the dies, mold and loaded bullets? I see rf's going for 500 to 900 depending on condition but haven't seen any cf conversions. Probably not a gun for a novice unless you want a wall hanger. Got to really pay attention when loading bullets not to seat too deep, thats another story with the .41 dies and .429 cast.

 

[MarshallDodge]

That is nice.

Proving that a 140 year old rifle and an AR upper can exist in the same picture

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Nice looking gun. Not refinished?

I've got a somewhat more worn example of the same model that cost me $400 a couple years back -- I've also got a Vetterli Cadet single shot, but that's a different animal.

I think they've appreciated a little in value since I bought mine, but unless you want to wait for the right buyer it will probably run closer to $500 than $900 -- unless somebody starts a special shooting league. BTW, Ace Dube at MCA Sports in Alaska told me he took one to a Cowboy shoot and basked in the hate.

The centerfire conversion either adds or detracts, shooter vs. collector market. I'd treat it as a neutral point when setting a resale price, but that's me.

 

[ParadiseDweller]

Nice looking gun. Not refinished?

I've got a somewhat more worn example of the same model that cost me $400 a couple years back -- I've also got a Vetterli Cadet single shot, but that's a different animal.

I think they've appreciated a little in value since I bought mine, but unless you want to wait for the right buyer it will probably run closer to $500 than $900 -- unless somebody starts a special shooting league. BTW, Ace Dube at MCA Sports in Alaska told me he took one to a Cowboy shoot and basked in the hate.

The centerfire conversion either adds or detracts, shooter vs. collector market. I'd treat it as a neutral point when setting a resale price, but that's me.

All original. Sat in a local gunshop for a couple of years. My brother got one and then i started doing some research and saw you can get them shoota le so figured I'd give it a shot. Paid $300 and another $150 for dies, brass and mold. Really cool guns with the design i think. Like having an ugly puppy. Funny thing, it was on the list for calif registration. Gun shop was even surprised. Had to wait to get it.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Funny thing, it was on the list for calif registration. Gun shop was even surprised. Had to wait to get it.

Somebody was overcautious at some stage in your gun's life -- both of mine were delivered directly to my house via USPS.

All of the Swiss Vetterlis are pre-1899 manufacture antiques. I've got the books to prove it.

BTW, there's a relatively cherry-looking unconverted specimen listed on GB right now for $700, which may be a good price-point for yours -- maybe add $100 more for dies and brass.

 

[ParadiseDweller]

I wasn't in a position to argue with the stipulations.

 

[Mosin77]

Realistically I think they’re worth several hundred these days. Not seven hundred. More like 300-400 by itself for a nice rifle. They have zero history attached to them compared to other milsurps, so shooting them is a niche endeavor. Yes, I have one… it has a bent tang from the factory, which cracked the original buttstock. I sourced a new one but haven’t fully fit it since I need to have someone heat and bend the tang to prevent this one cracking too. That put my plans to convert and shoot it on hold, but….. I’m only in the rifle $50 so it’s not exactly a high priority at the moment. When I bought it in 2018 decent examples on Gunbroker were under $200.