M38 Value Range? - Update

Well the auction gun was an SA marked M38 in overall very good condition with a few exceptions:

I paid $150

The good:
-The barrel is mirror bright and sharp
-The metal overall with the exception of the bolt is in 95+% condition. Barrel, receiver and small parts are shiny blue. Trigger guard is parkerized.
-The stock has one flaw but overall appears new and unissued condition
-The bolt has a mottled patina. Doesn't seem to match the near unissued condition of the rest of the gun. I'm thinking not the original bolt. Don't see a serial#. Were they?

"Issues":
-Stock SN does not match receiver
-Door & spring is missing on butt plate
The butt plate has some minor surface rust spots on lower part but overall is in excellent condition other than missing door/spring
-Side sling swivel & nut on rear barrel band is missing. There is just a commercial screw and nut holding barrel band on.

Do any members have the butt plate door/spring or rear barrel band sling swivel/nut/screw they are willing to sell?

With those few parts I have a complete & attractive M38

You did good. The crossed rifles below the s/n on the barrel shank is the Tiro A Segno Nazionale marking meaning this rifle shot a bit better than others and was set aside for use as a snipers rifle by the best shooter(s) within a particular Italian unit. While not rare TSN marked rifles are uncommon and include all variants of the M1891, even the cavalry carbines with folding bayonets.
Brass, dies and bullets are readily available and the 7.35 is accurate and fun to shoot. If it has the taller Finn front sight blade it should shoot to POA at 100 yds with surplus ammo or it's handloaded equivalent. It's also a good round for deer sized critters if you're inclined to hunt with it. I killed a 350lb wild boar with mine using surplus ammo years ago.

A few more pics of the new M38

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dalebert

I'm thinking not the original bolt. Don't see a serial#. Were they?

---

None of mine have numbered bolts and I can't remember seeing one that did but a bolt w/turned down handle is at least correct. Good chance it's the original.
I restored a bubba'd M41 several years ago and obtained the needed parts from Sarco and Springfield Sporters. Here lately ebay seems to have a lot more Carcano parts than it used to.

Dalebert, That was a bargain price. Just those few parts and you are good. Mine needed many more parts. Salt Flat

Vintage Hunter

Would you mind directing me to the "readily available" bullets. I can't find any. Everybody is out of the Hornady's. I have brass on order and will get dies from Midway. Stumped for now on bullets.

Dalebert sorry to have mislead you. Several places listed the 128gr Hornadys a couple months ago and now I'm glad I got some when I did. I did a bit of looking around and Buffalo Arms has some .298'' 150gr available but that's all I could come up with for the 7.35. If you decide to give them a try I have load data for the 150's if you don't have it.

Vintage Hunter

Thanks for the lead on the .298's. I bought a box. Since they list .298s for Carcano's I assume they will provide at least acceptable accuracy. I would appreciate any load info you are willing to share. Load is primarily, and probably exclusively for plinking, so I am not looking for max velocity.

I shoot and hunt on my own land, and my range is currently set up for about 110 yards max. But most of my milsurp shooting is at 50 yards or less. So optimal accuracy is not critical. Just want to enjoy the toys and share with others.

I've used two milsurps to bag deer on my land. My No 4 Mk1 and my Mosin Sniper. Most of my shots are inside of 50 yards, so open sight milsurps are viable. I just bought a K31, so that may get the try this fall. What a gun.

Anyways, thanks for feedback and lead and I'll try to remember to let you know how the M38 shoots.

Dale

Here you go.

Grafs should have loaded ammo using privi cases. It's reasonable and a good way to get brass. Numrich should have the parts you need.

The bolt looks normal. I don't believe the bolts were blued so they always mismatch the rifles color wise.

You did good, parts shouldn't be expensive.