M1870/87/16 Vetterli

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	Weapon: M1870/87/16 Vetterli Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: Italy Caliber: 6.5 Carcano Action: Bolt-Action

The M1870/87/16 Vetterli was an Italian bolt-action rifle based on the earlier Swiss Vetterli design. Initially developed in the 1870s as a single-shot rifle, the Italian Vetterli was modified in 1887 to include a Vitali magazine, making it a repeating rifle. In 1916, during World War I, it was further modified to use the 6.5mm Carcano cartridge due to ammunition shortages.

Despite being outdated by the time of World War I, the M1870/87/16 Vetterli was reissued to Italian forces due to the urgent need for rifles. Many soldiers found the conversions unsatisfactory, as the rifle was not originally designed for the higher pressure of modern cartridges, leading to reliability issues in combat.

While it was far from ideal, the M1870/87/16 Vetterli played a significant role in filling the equipment gap for Italy during World War I. Its legacy is tied to the resourceful but problematic adaptations required by wartime conditions, making it a symbol of Italy's military struggles during that period.