The Waffenfabrik Bern M.81 is a Swiss military rifle from the early 1880s, part of the renowned Vetterli family of rifles produced by the Swiss federal arms factory in Bern. It represents one of the final refinements of the Vetterli design before newer straight-pull rifles were adopted by Switzerland. Key Features Manufacturer: Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F), Switzerland. Model: Vetterli Model 1881 (often abbreviated M.81). Action: Bolt-action repeating rifle using a tubular magazine. The Vetterli system was one of the earliest successful military repeating rifle designs. Caliber: 10.4mm Swiss rimfire cartridge. The large-caliber black-powder round was standard for Swiss military service during the late 19th century. Magazine Capacity: Typically 11 rounds in the tubular magazine plus one in the chamber. Sights: Improved long-range rear sight compared to earlier Vetterli models, one of the primary changes that distinguished the 1881 pattern. Historical Significance The Model 1881 was adopted during a period when many armies were transitioning from single-shot rifles to repeaters. Switzerland was ahead of many nations in fielding magazine-fed rifles, and the Vetterli series earned a reputation for excellent craftsmanship, reliability, and accuracy. The M.81 remained in service until it was gradually replaced by the Schmidt-Rubin straight-pull rifles beginning in the late 1880s and 1890s. Collector Appeal Today, an original 1880s Waffenfabrik Bern M.81 is valued by collectors for: Its connection to Swiss military history. High-quality Swiss manufacturing. Distinctive tubular-magazine Vetterli action. Antique status and late-19th-century craftsmanship. Original markings, matching serial numbers, and military configuration. This firearm comes exactly as you see in the pictures provided