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I'm thinking of building a collection of rifles from the early 20th century as used in Ireland from the turn of the century to the War of Independence (Cogadh na Saoirse / Anglo-Irish War).

Staring with the Unionist Gun-Running at Larne in 1914:

• Gehwer 1888 M/88
  Steyr 8x57 M1904 'Irish Mannlicher'
  Vetterli-Vitali M1870/87 10.4x38

And the Republican Gun-Running at Howth:

• Mauser M1871 11mm 'Howth Mauser'

Many others could doubtless follow. My intent is to hold most of these under Section 58. I appreciate the actual guns that were landed in both incidents are quite rare so I'm happy to just get the correct models - even if they've never been to Ireland :-)

As funds are sadly not unlimited I'd like to start with the oldest (and coolest in a steampunk like fashion), the Vetterli-Vitali.

All of which is a long winded way of asking if anyone has an old Italian bangstick converted from single shot to magazine

Cheers

daman

There was a very handy shooting forum in Ireland or Eire, a lot of enthusiasts for such rifles. VRCA or something similar. I am a member but was always messing up my login details then lost track of the site.

Thanks

I guess this is it: https://www.vcrai.com/

Looks like a mine of info!

I have a swiss vetterli I am looking at moving on if of any interest.

daman wrote:Thanks

I guess this is it: https://www.vcrai.com/

Looks like a mine of info!

That is the one, well done for finding it based on my cryptic reference.

Hello

The Swiss Vetterli is chambered for the 10.4x38R cartridge.
But the Vetterli-Vitali Italian M1870/87 is chambered for the 10.35x47R cartridge
Both cartridges designated with R for rimmed case.

Please check your case sizes ! before purchase of cases and or Dies

Thanks MauserBill, you are right.

I had missed that the Italians changed the cartridge size from 10.4x38R to 10.35x47R.

I'll probably just hold it on section 58, but pretty important to know this stuff should I ever consider putting it on S1!

Dromia, is there a way to edit the title of this post so I don't spread wrong info on the interwebz?

-daman

If you have deep pockets you can buy one of the original Howth Mausers

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... f30114d4a7

The whole story around the Howth gun running is a tale in itself, the Asgard is now on display in the Collins barracks in Dublin

A fair few Steyr's come up for sale in Belfast auctions and have the Red hand "For God & Ulster" stamped into the stock not section 58 but a few deactivated ones have come up for sale.

As has been mentioned the Vetterli you want is the M1870 Italian Vetterli, this is covered well in The Italian Vetterli Rifle: Development, Variants and History in Service by Robert Wisley.
The rifles do come up in the UK but command a much higher premium than the earlier Swiss incarnation.

I wouldn't mind one of the 20,000 Mosin's from the SMS Libau that was scuttled in Cork harbour in April 1916.

snayperskaya wrote:I wouldn't mind one of the 20,000 Mosin's from the SMS Libau that was scuttled in Cork harbour in April 1916.

They might be bit rusty by now