My wife's M41? Carcano

[flying pig]

My better half just loves Carcano rifles. Me, I'm more into Lee-Enfields and Rosses with the occasional Garand for good measure.

Last winter I was looking for a suitable birthday present for her. Every year she buys me a nice rifle. I thought I would return her the favor, and began looking for a suitable Carcano for her. One day I was looking through the CGN equipment exchange and found this one. It looked like it had a pile of history and the bad photos looked like it was in pretty terrible shape, but at the price that was asked for it and with the accessories it came with I could not resist picking it up for her.

To my untrained eye and through a bit of research I think we got a real gem. She is afraid to shoot it even. It has steel fragments all through the wood and appears to have been in an explosion. The area of the fore end on the right side that has no burn is right where a man's hand would have been. Not saying that it has battle provenance, but I bet its very likely seen action. The bolt is unbent and is blued. It has no refurb marks that I could identify. From photos I had briefly posted in the past the consensus was a very probable vet bringback. I believe it is a Terni? All in,not bad for $100 shipped with a hard case and Lee dies for 6.5x52.

Any input from the Italian arms experts here would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about the bad overall length photos, its a dark and gloomy weekend here in northern Alberta.

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[jmoore]

I'd have bought it if it had turned up locally. Range report would be welcome!

[Aragorn243]

The dies are worth $30 and the case at least $10 so you got the rifle for $60, hard to beat that.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I believe it is a Terni?

Yup. FAT = Fabbrica d'Armi Terni

It is worth studying the stamp on the butt - behind the sling bar - very carefully. This is probably the original FAT stamp, but it is also possible that the rifle was arsenal reconditioned at some stage and the stamp bears a later date than 1942. However, the "shrapnel" gouges and the scorch mark (???) in front of the trigger guard make this unlikely. Check whether the number on the butt matches the number on the action.

[leviathan1942]

I have a 41 as well, from Terni but year '43.

My humble suggestion is always to be carefull while shooting with a carcano rifle. The action si just not so sturdy as other military rifles. Maybe a look from a skilled weaponsmith is a good idea.
Furthermore, always shoot with the stripper clip.

Btw you really took an interesting piece, I'm sure it have a lot of interesting stories to share!