Calling all Carcano Collectors

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MattE93

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I put out a WTB ad on here as I have been looking for a Carcano carbine for a really long time. I got a reply and some pictures that I am looking for more info on. Form my understanding it is a M91/28. Aside from being mismatched it seems to be quite nice and I really like the character of it. Can anyone provide any more information on it. Also how are they as shooters.

It is my understanding they were cut down M91 that were refurbed so is it common for them to be mismatched?

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Thanks ion advance
 
The issue with the carbines made from cut down M91s is that the barrels have gain twist rifling, so when the barrel gets cut down accuracy is greatly diminished.
 
You have a M91 TS Carbine which has been updated to the 1930 standard if I understand their updates correctly. The good news is it should shoot pretty good as the rifling is as intended. The cutdown 91/24s have accuracy issues due to cutting off the most important part of the rifling. Easy way to tell is by looking at the rear sight, you have a carbine sight not a rifle sight.
 
Okay interesting, so you think it is actually an M91 TS that was converted to the M91/28 standard, and not an M91 rifle that was cut down. I know when they cut down M91 to make M91/24 they left the long sights on, would this have been the same for the M91/28


I think you are right!!! This is a M91 TS converted to an M91/28. Fifth picture down shows a little nub below the barrel. From my research online the only rifles that had these were M91 TS carbines, the cut down rifles wouldn't have retained them. It also has a 91 TS style front sight and not the cut down sight
 
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If the price is right buy it!!!...why not. Lets us know Matt!

Just picked up a Carcano Model 1891 Cavalry Carbine.

(Just a pic not mine)

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I think I might, especially if it is in fact a converted M91 TS, which it appears to be. I found a thread on gunboards where a guy compares an M91 TS and what he is calling an M91 TS converted to M91/28 standards and it is pretty much identical to this one.

Should I be concerned about the number mismatch or is it less important than say Mausers
 
Technically there isn’t really such a thing as a M91/28 Carcano, they just resumed production of the updated M91 TS in 1928. The Italians put down technical orders that slowly their inventory of old TS Carcanos would be updated as time progressed to the later patterns. Good find either way
 
Thanks for pointing me in right direction. Ive been doing some reading and it looks like the M91/28 TS were upgraded M91 TS carbines and not cut down as the M91/24's were! I think Ill proceed with this one. Been looking for a nice carbine for a while now.
 
Matching numbers is usually considered to be preferable, but obviously it frequently isn't the case.
It is my understanding that used bolts were sometimes incorporated in new production Carcano rifles - a cost and time saving measure.
A Spanish '93 Mauser may be considered correct with a m/m bolt. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, rifles were stored in one facility, bolts in another, because the government was distrustful of the army.
 
The Italians only numbered the bolts in very early production. After that they considered them interchangeable parts. The Italians were very thrifty when making the Carcano and would reuse things whenever possible.

The parts that should be serialized are the stocks and the barrel, other than that nothing else is serialized.
 
Yeah and it looks like this one has a mismatched stock and handguard. However, the handguard and stock seem to match on colour and wear. My best guess from this is that the stock on the the original was rough when this one was upgraded from a M91 TS to a M91/28 TS, so they stocked it with a different stock and just didn’t bother renumbering
 
I picked one of these up last year (love the history involved).

As for a shooter I was actually very impressed with it. That is once I figured out the battle sight for it. I almost went through half a box of ammo before I figured it out. Once I figured out that I had to aim waaaaay low and left the results were great! It was very consistent and stayed right on target.

Enjoy!
 
Thanks! Really wanted an Italian rifle to fill out my “western” front collection. Already have a K98, enfield no.4, enfield no.2, and a Canadian issued pre-victory revolver. But didn’t want a full sized rifle
 
Is a mismatched stock on carcano rifles a big deal like it is on a Mausers? I did find another one these guys, same rifle but made in 1899 for sale at auction, however that one has some putting and light surface rust as well.

This one seems to be in better overall shape but is mismatched
 
My only Carcano is a 91/41, Armaguerra Cremona. Nice bore, good shooter. Carcanos are the Rodney Dangerfields of the surplus rifle world - they don't get any respect. Better rifles than most give them credit for.
Even though mine is a long rifle, it isn't awkward. Light enough to be handy, pleasant to shoot.

Incidentally, is it pronounced CAR'cano or CarCA'no?
 
Definitely excited to get my hands on an Italian rifle. Love the history of them especially one built during WW1 and used into WW2
 
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