Terni M1870/87 6.5

Make: Terni
Model: M1870/87
Caliber: 6.5
Action: Bolt
Barrel: 30
Bore: Dark
Serial # KD1459
Condition: Good/fair
” The M1870 Vetterli was the Italian service rifle from 1870-1887. The M1870 was a single-shot bolt action rifle chambered for the 10.4mm Vetterli centrefire cartridge, at first loaded with black powder and later with smokeless powder. The M1870 was based upon the M1869 Swiss Vetterli but simplified for economy. Starting in 1887, all model 1870s were updated to the M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali variant, which has a 4 round magazine.
During World War I, many M1870/87 rifles were converted to share the same 6.5mm smokeless powder round as the primary service rifle, the Carcano, by adding a 6.5mm barrel lining and a modified M91 Carcano magazine. The barrel sleeving was called the “”Salerno method””; The bolt face was also machined to accept the smaller diameter 6.5 mm cartridge head, and the firing pin shortened. These conversions were used for rear echelon troops (guards, training, etc.) and were rarely, if at all, fired with standard 6.5 mm military ball ammunition. After WWI, many of these rifles were assigned to the colonies of Tripolitania, Fezzan and Cyrenaica (Libya) and also to Eritrea and Somalia, again, as rarely-fired training rifles. These rifles were used again in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, mostly by native African soldiers. It is marked TERNI over an 1885 date on the barrel, indicating manufacture in Terni, the major city in the Terni province. This is a somewhat rare maker, and most examples we see are made in Turin or Brescia. There is a maker symbol on the top, but it is unfortunately not one that we recognize. As this rifle was made in 1891, it was most likely originally manufactured in the M1870/87 configuration with a magazine. As usual for these rifles, there is a bit of slop with the bolt action. The rifle still does have a cleaning rod. The rear sight is complete, and fully functional. Both sling swivels are also intact and functional. The finish has signs of wear The trigger guard and magazine show a bit of finish wear.Stock has a crack on the left side with wear and dings from years of service and the rack numbers match the serial number on the receiver. There are however no repairs we can see, or any major damage. Please see photos. C&R”