We three seem to be essentially in violent agreement on price ranges, need for more info, better pics, etc.
As for the Vetterli Carbine, it's a sporter. I have one very similar, even down to the checkering, and mine is just a pretty well done sporter of a M1881 rifle (although mine has the barrel lopped off at the wood as it should be). Yours does not look like any carbine I'm aware of, and has distinct features leading me to believe it's a sporter (band locations, front sight, etc.).
Taken from somewhere I can't remember:
There are essentially three types of Vetterli carbines: 1) the Calvary Carbine, 2) The Border Guard Carbine, and 3) the Model 69-71 converted carbine.
The Calvary Carbine is easily spotted as it has a fairly unique muzzle band
and has a carbine style sight.
Calvary Carbines were newly manufactured and have serial numbers in the 1-3800 range
There were only 400 Border Guard Carbines produced. And they were newly constructed rather than converted, as such, their serial numbers range from 1 to 400. Border Guard Carbines also have the same carbine sights as those pictured above.
I'm not sure how many Model 1869-71 Converted carbines were produced, but they seem to be the most common carbine variant seen. They were intended for the Swiss Border Guards, but there is no record of them actually be issued. They can be distinguished by the fact that they are the only Vetterlis with front sights attached to the muzzle band rather than the barrel.
Converted will have rifle style rear sights and high serial numbers. The front sight seems to be the only way to positively ID these carbines.
