Recently I saw a Carcano on an auction site listed as an antique. It was full length and appears to be a Moschetto TS 91. It has the sling swivels on the bottom of the stock and the sling bar in the left side of the butt stock. The seller only had one picture up but said its marked FAT 43 on the barrel. He did not give a specific year or name the manufacturer.
I don't know much about Italian guns. Any idea what this was? Antique or a 1943 manufactured TS91?
FAT is Fabrica d'Armas (likely butchered the spelling) Terni
So the barrel at least is a 1943 Terni barrel. Its really hard to say what you have without photos, but based off what limited information you have provided I would say 1943 manufacture, unless its been rebarreled. The type of rear sight, and what type of bayonet mounting system you have would help a bit too (the earlier TS 91s had this weird sideways bayonet lug which was changed to a more standard type in WWI). Any information on the stock also helps.
You’re close. It stands for Fabbrica Armi Terni.
Pictures would be helpful.
The bayonet mount is on the bottom of the front band or so it appears.
auction only had one photo.
Italian Carcano Fat 43 Rifle 6.5mm - Antique Guns at GunBroker.com : 843015013
Most likely a Carcano M41. Very similar to the M91 but definitely not antique. 1943 most likely production date. Price seems a bit high for one of those also, especially in that condition. A lot of these are floating around in almost new condition. Seller probably doesn't know what he has and the 91 was the first rifle he found that looked similar. Only big difference I can think of without digging out the books is the barrel is a little shorter. Probably would run afoul of the law shipping that to someone in California off the books.
Looks like a 41 to me too. I’d have to check, since it looks a tad too long, but the sights are from a 41.
Thank you. I did not want to make a mistake. It is better to be safe rather than to just assume everything is on the level and be very sorry later. Especially considering where I live, there are a thousand ways to seriously screw up here. But a Carcano is on my list, likely when i move out of state and get a C&R (C&Rs do in-effect nothing here as of last June or July.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
I'm actually looking for a 41 but haven't been able to find a nice one since I started looking for one. Back when I wasn't looking for them they were all over the place and they were selling in the $100 range and this wasn't that many years ago. It's the only major variant I don't have yet along with a 7.35 cavalry carbine. Most Carcano's can still be had in the $200-$300 range except for the 91's, they do go for what he's asking for this thinking it's one.
I know your pain. More than ten years ago I was in a shop that had a Carcano Cavalry carbine with the folding bayonet and an Arisaka type 99. Each was marked $159. Being young and not flushed with cash i could only get one. I bought the Arisaka but ended up seriously regretting it later when i realized what i bought. Should have got the Carcano.