Carcano Cavalry Carbine

tokguy

tokguy

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This one got drug out at a family affair.


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Pretty cool I thought.


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I think the rear sight has been modified and it's missing it's bayonet / swivel mount but man are the cartouches sharp!


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Uncle wanted some shells and clips located, which is commendable, but man would that thing kick! Obviously it's a 7.35 X 53.3 mm...just guessing but if it's anywhere near to a 7.62 X 54 in a carbine; yikes! Probably see stars when you light up this jewel.


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Any thoughts on value? Although Uncle has no intention of selling ...which is also commendable IMO.
Just curious as to value; And I asked them please don't do ANYTHING to it. No steel wool and no sandpaper, please!
 
I believe that is the rear sight. Fixed sight.
It would need the bayonet assembly, and the front sight unit with the bayonet mount.
The bayonet has a push button-swing-latch system
I would doubt that there is any difference between a 6.5 and 7.35 bayonet unit.

7.62x54R is a lot more powerful than 7.35 Carcano.
 
That rear sight is original too...

Ammo would probably be a strictly reloaders affair. Cases can be made from 6.5 Carcano, and Hornady used to make the appropriate bullet - not sure if they still make it, or you could cast your own.
 
fernleaf said:
That rear sight is original too...

Ammo would probably be a strictly reloaders affair. Cases can be made from 6.5 Carcano, and Hornady used to make the appropriate bullet - not sure if they still make it, or you could cast your own.
Click to expand...
Could be an original sight as apparently the Italians had " an almost endless number of Carcano variations"*
My book shows the more elaborate rear sight on the Model 1938 Cavalry carbines.
Still pretty neat in my books.



* Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World Stuart C. Mowbray and Joe Puleo
 
tokguy said:
Could be an original sight as apparently the Italians had " an almost endless number of Carcano variations"*
My book shows the more elaborate rear sight on the Model 1938 Cavalry carbines.
Still pretty neat in my books.



* Bolt Action Military Rifles of the World Stuart C. Mowbray and Joe Puleo
Click to expand...

Look at the rear sight of the rifle on pages 194 and 195 of that book - you'll see the rear sight is the same as the rifle you've provided pictures of. Although the rifle shown in the book is a Short Rifle, the fixed 300m rear sight, and being chambered in 7.35x51mm are features of the M38 series of carbines and short rifles.
 
That is a Model 38 Cavalry Carbine.

The rear sight is factory.

Bayonet mount has been chopped, as with many that were imported here in the 1960s.

Same bayonet and mount as the 6.5 Carbine, most of which also were Model 38s

### 38: Government Arsenal at Gardone val Trompia, 1938. Just down the road from Beretta!

Making your own 7.35mm ammo is an easy conversion. Start with 6.5x52 Carcano brass (Trade-ex) and a set of dies from Factory Sales. Open out the mouths of the cases. Load with the Hornady 128-grain .300" Spire Point bullet. Graf's stocks this bullet, but a GOOD Hornady dealer should be able to get them. OR you can make up a swage for 130-grain .308 slugs and reduce them. Personally, I would use 4198 powder because the slower stuff likes to burn in the air, giving you a massive fireball and an ear-splitting report.

JP has the right CLIPS for a Carcano. They interchange between 6.5 and 7.35. There is NO difference.

They are a DECENT little woods rifle, reliable as a ROCK. Military 2-stage trigger is NOT hard to get used to. The SAFETY is a bit of a bother; you push it IN and rotate CCW to put it on SAFE; returning to FIRE is the opposite. Likely you will want to hold the bolt shut with the little finger of your right hand when putting the rifle on SAFE. Safety can also be used to relieve compression on the mainspring but this is a DEFINITE no-no if there is a round chambered because a good smack on the back of the firing-pin can fire the rifle. Bolt comes out same as a Cooey: open the bolt and pull the trigger.

Carcanos are just plain NEAT.

And they are a LOT of FUN.

BTW, 7.35 Carbines are more than a bit scarce in Canada; nearly all that came here 50 years ago were 6.5s.

For one like yours, hundred bucks won't touch it.

Besides, it's MUCH more fun than that, just to play with.

You have a Treasure!

Hope this helps.
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Oh BTW it is a Beretta( stamped so anyhow). I wasn't familiar with the camera and messed up the marco shots of the reciever.
Thanks Smellie.
It's always nice to hear from someone who thinks outside the conventional milsurp box. You know...the only Garands, LE's and K98's count as a rifles and on the 8th day John Browning created the 1911 mantra. There are lots of 'cool, off the beaten path milsurps' out there.
 
I have a short little carbine(?) in 7.35. The first time I fired it, it was a miserable windy day in the winter, so I stood beside the house and fired it parallel to the wall. What a noise that little fella made!!:eek:

I think it was machine gun ammo I fired. No wonder the Italians gave up early!
 
JP on here. I believe he is at P&S Militaria or has something to do with them.

Very knowledgeable and helpful chap.

Also has 3-shot Berthier clips although at a horrific price.

Don't buy all the Berthiers; I need some, too, and pension day is still a week off!
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