Another one of mine.

[muffett.2008]

I suppose I had better put something on this forum, I complained long enough until we got one.
Some of you guru's will be able to pick this one apart.
All matching numbers, damn good nick and been gathering dust in my rack for a long time.

[gew8805]

Very nice! Can't see a thing to pick apart, especially in the finish - near 100% original on both wood and metal and all matching.

[jmoore]

That IS very nice! Ought to give a day at the range some time to shake the dust loose.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Moschetto 91/38 da cavalleria (d.c.)
Caliber 6.5mm
Made in September 1940, Fascist year XVIII
in Gardone, Val Trompia (VT)
of that there is no doubt, as it is practically "clear text"
But the number series for a 91/38 d.c. 1940XVIII ought to be of the form QMnnnn (nnnn is a 4-figure number).
So the number O.G 723 appears to be anomalous.
The butt marking is also quite clear, with crown over F.A.G. 40 - Fabricca d'Armi Gardone 1940.
And there is another tiny OG (upside down) in a diamond below the 3 41 in the pic that looks as if someone moved the barrel with a pipe wrench.

I therefore conclude, for lack of another explanation, that the O.G 723 marking stands for Officina Gardone 723 - i.e. Gardone Works No. 723 - not a standard series marking at all. Markings with manufacturer letters were usually for parts source identification. It could be a working sample retained by the factory and never issued to the military - which would explain the excellent condition.

Was that picky enough?

Now someone else can have a guess!

[jmoore]

looks as if someone moved the barrel with a pipe wrench

Those indentations seem to be factory applied as I've seen them one more than one 91/38 carbine.

Dang, I've got to get another Carcano book ot two. But the credit card is "off" for a while, so no internet orders!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

That is one fine looking dust collector! Very nice photos as well! You have set the bar rather high for my Carcano search.

[muffett.2008]

Maybe this photo will help.


The production dates for Gardone 1940 will give you the answer.
'Italy's Battle Rifle' by Russ Arendell and Steve Woodrum is a vital research book, my copy, No.52 of 100 in full colour is great.
If you don't have it, there is a half colour edition for sale now, check the Italian thread on Gunboards.

Clean your glasses Patrick. Q.G. (that's not meant to be nasty, they don't have funny symbols in edit.)

[Patrick Chadwick]

Thanks Muffett - there was an alternative explanation! Now that I have cleaned my glasses, I can see that it what I thought was a point after the "O" is, in fact, the tail of a "Q". So QG 723 - OK for Gardone, 1940 - and the numbering world is in order again!

[Ironnewt]

I recently bought something very similar but with an adjustable rear sight and in need of a handguard. What would the model Number be?