M91 bayonet

[jmoore]

Your long rifle is not a Carcano, it is a Vetterli M1870/87/15.

If it's like the one in the photo above then it's for dang sure not a Vetterli!

[gew8805]

If it's like the one in the photo above then it's for dang sure not a Vetterli!

Well, dang..... jmoore, thank you for straightening out my dis-informative post, my apologies to all. Yes, it is a Carcano with what appears to be a modified butt. I was in a hurry (apparently to hear myself talk ) and should have at least glanced at the bolt and rear sight. As Roseanne Rosanadana said "Never mind".

[Aragorn243]

As Roseanne Rosanadana said "Never mind".

Ah, good memories.

[gew8805]

[jessebogan]

I have a very late cavalry carbine, no date or markings on the receiver, just L franci over Brescia under the rear of the receiver. I am missing the underfolding bayonet completely. When I search, I find the removable folding one... Any better terms I could use, or does anyone have any idea where to look?

Thanks,
Jesse

[Aragorn243]

Ebay has them periodically. There might be on on there now, not sure if it finished or not. They are not that common as they are semi-permanently attached to the rifles.

[Airman Skitters]

A bit of a "Necro Thread" here but I felt it was worth "resurrecting" to get the word out on this discovery. I have actually just found a fellow selling reproductions of the rare-as-hen's-teeth "Screw, Spring and Plunger" assembly for the M91 and M91/30 Carcano Cavalry Carbines that keeps and folds the Integral Spike Bayonet. The Repro Parts can be found Here. These bits seem to be often missing and are nearly impossible to find. That someone is making reproductions is a bit of a boon for Carcano Collectors! I hope others find these bits useful in restoring their own pieces!

Your long rifle is not a Carcano, it is a Vetterli M1870/87/15. It was originally the Italian M1870, a single shot rifle of 10.35×47mmR caliber. Then, in 1887 it was converted to a repeater of the same caliber and after that in 1915, with the emergency of WW1, it was converted to Italian 6.5mm caliber with a new magazine and a lined bore in the new caliber.

They are not recommended for shooting due to the minimal locking lugs on the primitive bolt and the ability of the barrel liner to come loose. Even in WW1, they were issued only to rear echelon troops who were rarely expected to fire their weapons but might need to when an emergency came up.

Also, in reply to the above, I'm afraid you are mistaken. The rifle we have is an M91 Carcano Long Rifle that has a strangely modified Buttplate and the handguard off of one of the rarer early Carcano Carbines. It is not a Vetterli-Carcano.

EDIT: Oops... I see the Carcano/Vetterli-Carcano issue was sorted... didn't noticed the thread went onto a second page there.