My 1st Carcano

[hcso617]

Mods, I wasn't sure where to put this, please move if appropriate. I purchased my 1st Carcano, a M91/38. The dealer wouldn't accept my scanned copy of my C&R, so I mailed a copy out today. This is a photo of the rifle I purchased. I will post up more when It comes in next week. I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions. Anyone know where I can get the proper sling?

[Bill Hollinger]

Congratulations on your purchase. I am really looking at buying one.

[smellie]

You're lucky that you live south of the razor wire, friend. You can get spare parts aplenty and some accessories quickly and inexpensively from Springfield Sporters. They have been re-sorting all their stock since setting up in business again, but their Carcano section seems complete. I think you can get to them at ssporters dot com.

Back when we had The World's Longest Undefended Border, I found their products always as advertised and the service prompt and polite.

One point: you WILL need CLIPS for your Carcano. Nice thing is that they ARE available and they fit, no matter what the calibre of the rifle: 6.5 and 7.35 clips interchanged 100%. The bad part (and isn't there always a bad part?) is that the things can be lost easily.... and they are expensive nowadays. For going in the field with a Carcano, I keep a strip of masking tape acros the clip slot in the bottom of the mag: keeps the clip from getting lost. On the range, I just let them drop into the bench.

One point: a Carcano should aways be loaded from the magazine. It's a lot easier on the extractor that way.

With my own short Caranos, I am getting good results with the faster powders. I think the swift kick helps the bullet to obturate better.

Bullet and brass are available from Graf's in Mexico, MO, and Hornady and Prvi Partizan both load the ammo.

The world today is looking better for Carcano shooters than any time in the past 40 years.

Congratulations on the fine purchase; it's a nice-looking rifle. Just keep us posted as to what's up; lots of people starting to be interested in these now.

And welcome aboard!
.

[bearhunter]

x2 smellie. The clips are tough to find in my neck of the woods though. Getting them into Canada from the US is now getting expensive. The really difficult clips (enblocs) are the ones used in the Steyr built 8x57 chambered carbines.

[hcso617]

Thanks for the info, I have some clips and ammo that I've had for about 5 years. I'll keep you posted. Matt

[hcso617]

Ok it's here and I have more information. This is what is stamped on the barrel (hex portion)
Left side: GARDONE V.I. 1931
Center: Beretta
Right: 14811 with a circle and FF or FB in the middle

The bolt tang top side is stamped: AD 8813
bottom side: 2 (over) F1 or FI
an O or 0 is also stamped on underside of bolt on rail

When you remove the bolt there is a star stamped

The rifle is 36" in total length, fixed front, adjustable rear sights with bayonet lug. Has a cleaning rod screwed in below the barrel, 16.5" long. I removed the butt plate I couldn't see anything. There are no import markings, or ammo type markings anywhere on this rifle. Rifling and bore look very good. There are a few other proofs on the barrel and stock but I can't really make them out, and I don't want to guess.

I've had a few folks tell me I had a few different types, does this help. I can't take any other pictures at the moment.

Thanks,

Matt

[chuckchili]

Don't have much to add but that's a good looking rifle, that stock's woodgrain is awesome!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Left side: GARDONE V.I. 1931
Worn or misread stamp, I think.
That ought to be Gardone V.T. for Gardone, Val Trompia (Trompia Valley).

Of course, 1931 does not match up with the date of build as an M91/38. Regardless of the theory (see below) one might reasonably suspect that, with the wartime emergency switch back from 7,35 to 6,5 a certain amount of "mix'n match" took place to use up what was in stock in the factory.

Center: Beretta

Right: 14811 with a circle and FF or FB in the middle
Again, could be a worn stamp for PB = Pietro Beretta
And the number could be (letter not number) I 4811. It's all very tricky without having the rifle in one's hands!

The bolt tang top side is stamped: AD 8813
That is the format for an Italian army registry number a.k.a matrix number. This is the number that was stamped on the completed rifle when it was accepted. The number is usally to be found on the left side of the barrel and on the butt. The series started new for each type of rifle, want from A0000 to Z9999 (25 letters - no J) then AA....AB... etc. At least, that was the theory. In practice there appear to have been considerable deviations and inconsistencies.

bottom side: 2 (over) F1 or FI
an O or 0 is also stamped on underside of bolt on rail

Those are probably acceptance stamps

Of course, I may have got it all wrong. Think of it as a first approximation!

Patrick

[hcso617]

Thank you Patrick, I had my teenage son look at the rifle with a magnifier, you are indeed correct on all counts. So with some research we have a 1931 M91/28 Moschetto Truppe Speciale (T.S) . My son verified all the corrections to the marks you reported. I believe the bolt is not original to the rifle but much older. He also found a small mark on the left side of the chamber, a stamped circle with some kind for crest? and a small square stamped with AS on the left side of the trigger guard. Thanks so much for the information. I have a few more questions;

Is there a firing pin protrusion gauge (like the tool for a MN)?
Where can I get a period correct sling, (I see a bunch out there for the type that mount to the side of the stock)

Thanks again everyone, Matt