Articles of the Gazette

Some precisions on the bayonets for the Vetterli et Vetterli-Vitali rifles. (Gazette 14 - Article 2)

I noticed that many collectors, speaking of the Italian bayonets for the Vetterli and Vetterli Vitali rifles, continue to call them, respectively, MOD. 1870 (or 1871) and MOD. 1887. These denominations are not correct and in the following text I will try to explain why.
* The single shot VETTERLI rifle, caliber 10.35 x 45 R adopted in Italy in 1870, has on the two studs on the barrel for fixing the bayonet :
The first one is for the T slot on the back of the pommel of the bayonet, while the second one maintains the bayonet more strongly on the gun with the help of the small notch made at the bottom of the muzzle ring. In fact, when someone says “baïonnette mod. 1870” nothing precise is said, but we can so identify 4, or rather 5 types of bayonets, if we make the distinction between type D (or V) with the shortened or new made blade....