1891 Long Rifle

[Aragorn243]

One of my "list" rifles, spotted it on Gunbroker a week ago and figured for the price I'd take a chance on it. Came yesterday and while I'm not particularly happy with the sellers description, it's not bad enough for me to make a big deal about it.

Sellers Description: "1891 model rifle made at TErni in 1895, Matching stock has faint cartouche visible. Stock is solid and has decent bluing left. Bore is dark but dirty and needs a good cleaning"

Exterior didn't look bad at all in the photos but the photos were taken so as to mask issues, rust was removed from the barrel end and the front barrel band probably using paste of some sort.

Bolt also saw Naval Jelly if that's what it's called, and the safety didn't work, not mentioned at all in description. I took it apart and it appears it was simply gummed up very heavily. I have it soaking now.

Actual bore condition is badly rusted. It did clear up a bit with wire brushing but it's a sewer pipe. It may actually shoot however as despite the pitting, the rifling looks pretty decent.

Stock matches the receiver, it's an 1895 Turbata rework. Stock cartouche appears to say 1931 but I can't positively make it out. Exterior metal is really not in bad shape. Very little pitting on it. Only issue is the last three inches of the barrel.

It needs a cleaning rod and a sling.

Information

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[vintage hunter]

Looks pretty good from here. Nice find. I've been after one for ages but nothing decent has turned up so far.
Get some of the Remington 40x bore cleaner and a good supply of brushes, works wonders on rusty bores. The brushes are going to wear out fast so I'd go with .270 cal so as to get a bit more use out of each one.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Not seen much in these parts. Nice find.

[Aragorn243]

Stock is very dry, like it's been sitting in a desert all these years. Soaking of parts and barrel continue, need to get new bore brushes as mine are worn out. I expect I can get it cleaned up satisfactorily but I doubt I would have bought this one had I been able to examine it in person, mainly because of the bore. It easily looks to be the worst that I own with the exception of the Chinese Type 88 that is shot out. Who knows, with extensive cleaning, it might clean up but I have my doubts. I'd like to get a plug and pour vinegar in it but not sure where to locate a plug. I'll check around.

[WarPig1976]

If you can't find a rubber plug you can use a wood dowel as a plug or is it a bung?

[gew8805]

Too bad about the bore condition but it sounds like it is not bad overall. Keep trying to clean it as best you can, and adjust the bullet diameter as best you can and it may shoot well.

As far as the sling, here are the three primary slings used by the Italians:



The top is of course the Italian-made "98k" style sling - from earlier posts you are familiar with this one - designed for an Italian sub-machinegun but found occasionally of short rifles.

The second is the earliest sling used on the M1891 long rifle and the short rifles with wide swivels. This sling was originally in use on the Italian Vetterli as well as the earlier Italian Albini and saw use on the long '91 from it's acceptance in service until the end of WW2. It has no buckle, it's adjustment is done with studs at either end.

At the bottom is the most often seen Italian sling and it could be and was used on all Italian rifles, before, during and after the 2nd World War. It has a tongued brass buckle.

All three of the above slings are original, none are reproductions.

[Aragorn243]

Doing it on the cheap I stuffed a pencil eraser in the end of the barrel and filled it with distilled white vinegar. Probably take a few days of this treatment based on my Swedish Mauser experience.

For the record, the pencil eraser worked great. Standard size for the 6.5mm.

[RBruce]

Gb 420141762

[Aragorn243]

It is cleaning up some but is still in very poor shape. Debating whether I should try shooting it with privi partisan bullets or just keep cleaning it. I don't think the barrel is obstructed in any way and the Privi's are said to be undersized. 270 cleaning brush did make a difference. I run it through 5 times and pour water through until it stops being brown and then repeat. It's soaking in vinegar again now.

Will it shoot, probably, will it hit the broadside of a barn, dubious.

[gew8805]

As long as you have removed the heaviest, bore-reducing fouling, go ahead and shoot it, the bullets will help "scrub" the bore and the powder blast will also help remove deep corrosion from the pits as well as the surface of the bore.

When doing a lot of black powder restoration on lesser condition guns, I used to fire three or four blank loads and then clean the bore, it was surprising how much corrosion and fouling this removed.