My new Carcano (paging Smellie!)

D

D-BOMB

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Calgary, Ab
Hello all,

This past weekend at the Calgary Easter show I went with the goal to round off my WW2 collection with a Carcano. I found this one and at the time all I knew was it was a Carcano variant. I haggled for a price I felt was fair and nabbed it, I thought the stock had been sanded but I didn't really care as I wanted it in the collection as a representative example. After some reading and discovering I have what (I think) is a model 91/41 I have found many on the web that have similar looking timber. I also read that they were sanded during refurb post war, after some examining all the cartouches are very crisp in the wood, and it appears the serial number is stamped over another one (the overstamp is matching).

I also noticed it looks to have some type of mark that has been peened on the reciever? any input?

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Thanks all!
 
That's a very neat looking Carcano.

I have one of the same model but in far worse shape-dings galore and a major repair of the stock in the wrist (someone/something got a good wack with it).Even bolt comes from carbine version...

It still shoots marvelously with casts so it's a keeper :)
 
A lovely looking 1941 dated 91/41. May I ask what the serial number suffix block is, I wonder if she is a sister to my rifle.

Re-used parts were quite common for the Italians, my M1891 rifle is a great example of this (1903 dated and rebuilt using a 1917 dated receiver and a re-used stock that has three previous serial numbers, the rifle was given a new serial number that doesn't fall in the known ranges, the barrel was also re-lined using the "Tubata" aka "Salerno" method, talk about well travelled).

"ROCCA" was a subcontractor for bolt parts, you see their name on cocking pieces.

"FAET 81" is a Terni refurbishment mark and gives you the year she was cleaned up and rebuilt for export. My 1941 has the same export year.

"TNI in a circle with crown" is a Terni acceptance mark.

All and all, she looks damn similar to my 1941, right down to the patina on the magazine, how is the bore ?
 
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By the way, if you want to see a very good Italian WW2 movie, I recommend getting a copy of "El Alamein" from 2002. It has almost all the carcano variants pictured in the film, even some scenes with M1891s. It is done in Italian and the screenplay is well done in my opinion.
 
Mine is "H" block. Given the refurbishment date, I have a distinct feeling yours and mine were exported at the same time and, perhaps, were crate mates.
 
Very cool! good to know it wasn't a non arsenal refinishing, I found it very odd that it appeared to be sanded yet the markings are so crisp. They for sure seem to have been applied post refinish.

It is a little on the dry side, what was the proper treatment used by the Italians? would it be sacrilege to give it a drink of linseed oil?
 
Mine is the same way, it seems to have some sort of varnish finish but not much. The old serial number on my stock dates from 1943 so I figure that explains the lack of finish.

Applying blo is an option, I actually like the way the stock feels on my rifle. It isn't bare unfinished wood, as it has some sort of light varnish on the surface. The re stamped letters are bare so the wood finish on my stock is pre refurbishment.
 
Carcanos are the most under appreciated rifle of WWII. By the time WWII was over, they had been used in battle for over 50 years.

Several variations and cartridges were built on the basic action. Everything from 6.5 to 8mm, in military cartridges and who knows what else in civilian garb.

Tough rigid actions that did the job very well. They were used in the Russo/Finnish war, Italy, Germany, Austria and several other nations, including Japan and England issued them as well. The Finn Carcanos came from the UK if I recall. Japan did away with enbloc charging system and had the rifles built with their specified bore diameter and a staggered box magazine.

They were used by African nations in staggering numbers by both the good guys and bad guys. They stood up to and functioned efficiently and reliably under extreme cold and extreme heat conditions.

They got a bad reputation, mostly through propaganda and because they are difficult to sporterise. Herter's and several other after market makers offered stocks, barrels, scope mounts, sights and turned down bolts to make them attractive to hunters and shooters.

They are every bit as tough as most K98s IMHO and can be very good shooters with proper ammo.

One thing, the 6.5x53 Carcano round may be a low pressure cartridge and seemingly anemic in comparison to most ammo issued during WWII. They were loaded that way for two very good reasons. One, the cartridge was perfectly adequate for its intended usage and the low pressure loadings were easy on the shooters as well as the rifles themselves. The rifles are easily strong enough to withstand what even today would be considered high end pressures. Steyr and Terni built them in 7.92x57 for German Volksturm and their Austrian counterparts.

I have one of those Carcano carbines chambered in 7.92x57. Extreme muzzle flash and kicks like a mule.
 
D-BOMB said:
You are describing the exact same rifle as mine! haha I will leave it be.

Thanks again, Nabs.
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I am glad to help, I just hope your M41 brings you as much joy as mine does to me.

Collecting carcanos can become quite addictive, I am trying to locate a Finn M38 in 7.35, a Type I contract carcano, and a carcano in 8mm mauser. First things first, I have to get to the range and see how these rifles perform :).
 
Hey Nabs...............is that el alamein movie available in english subtitle? i found it on you tube.........and started watching it..........but i dont understand a lick of italian........
 
do you have a link by chance? i gave a quick peek around and i didnt have any luck. looks like a good movie tho!
 
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