1891/28 TS Carcano, Standard Bayonet Version

[Aragorn243]

Checked off another of the Carcanos on my list today at the auction from hell. All numbers match, has a small "Made in Italy" import mark. Looks to be unused from the day it was re-arsenaled. Nice bore, has the cleaning rod and is set up for the normal bayonet. I haven't taken it apart but see some pitting along the wood line.

Has a "star" mark which I have not seen before.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

I investigated the markings and the star mark isn't very exciting. It's just a refurb mark. Not where it's supposed to be, under the bolt on the tang. But I looked there and found a second one.

The stock marking is a bit more exciting, at least to me. It is a Navy mark, so this rifle was used by the Italian Navy. I always liked the Italian Navy, first rate ships, scared the British immensely during WWII. Suffered from so so leadership and a reluctance to risk by Mussolini. Of all the fleets that modernized the old battleships, the Italians did it the best. When they came out of modernization, they were almost like the new fast battleships of the day.

[Eaglelord17]

Very nice. I once had a Italian Capture M95 with that same star marking, good to know what it means (was told it was a manufacturing mark, I guess it was actually a Italian Refurbishment mark).

[Aragorn243]

I have a Carcano book that has quite a few markings for both the metal and the stock. I know it's not complete as I've still managed to find markings that aren't in it but it's the most complete I've seen, including the internet. I tend to be a bit slow remembering I have it.

Italy's Battle Rifle. Probably out of print. When I got it a couple of years ago it was a limited run. Helped me not purchase a rifle or two so while expensive, it paid itself off.

[Eaglelord17]

I definitely need a good book on the Carcano, as I quite enjoy them and if it is a good book will help expand my knowledge base. There is one coming out soon which I intend to get, from the photos shown in the amazon ad, it definitely has the potential to be a good read.

The Model 1891 Carcano Rifle: A Detailed Developmental and Production History: Giovanni Chegia, Alberto Simonelli, Ralph Riccio: 9780764350818: Books - Amazon.ca

[Aragorn243]

Here's my book. I guess it is definitely out of print. I think I now need to put mine in the safe and never read it again.

Shooting Gallery Books -- Italys Battle Rifle

I think I paid $69 with $15 shipping.

You might try here, price is still $69

Book on Carcano Rifles Iron Legions

[Eaglelord17]

At the moment I think I will wait until the other book comes out. At some point I would like to get that book, however I can see it being a pain being international.

[Aragorn243]

I went ahead and ordered the book you linked. Not available yet but was about $40 through US Amazon.

[Aragorn243]

Oddly enough, I just got another Carcano book off ebay the other evening and it arrived today. "The Carcano" by Richard Hobbs. It came up in one of my bayonet searches and it was $20 and no one else bid on it. Not a large book, 70 pages and a self made paperback. Old typewriter letters and hand drawn images. Haven't had a lot of time to look it over yet. They appear to be sold for $150 on the used book sites as they were last printed in 1997

[Eaglelord17]

Interesting, you tend not to find too many books on the Carcano (unless they are talking about JFK). I think for the next little while I am going to try and buy one book on firearms a month. This way I will have a good knowledge base available and the books always pay off later when you go to buy something.