Help identify WW2 Italian rifle(?)

[Gee3]

Hi all! I inherited this rifle in 1996, like my Springfield 1903. However, I have no clue about this rifle or if it is even actually Italian. My father was a WW2 veteran and came home with this rifle. He even carved "VE Day" and his last name on the stock to commemorate VE Day. It also has a folding bayonet, which I find interesting.

Can anyone identify this gun so I can research it more? Make? Model? Year? Caliber?

If you need me to upload more pics just let me know.

Thanks in advance!
Gary

 

[Jim Watson]

Looks like an Italian Mannlicher Carcano 1891 Cavalry (and paratrooper) carbine.
I think a 91/38 built after they gave up on 7.35mm and went back to 6.5 and the 42 is the year made. Maybe a collector will be along with details.

Caliber is 6.5x52 Carcano, available from Graf & Sons.
It requires en-bloc clips holding 6 rounds to function as a repeater.

Looks in good clean shape, not neglected like so many war trophies.

 

[PetahW]

.

A difference of opinion is what makes a horse race....... .

IMO, it's a Model 38 Terni Italian military carbine, similar to the 1891 except for it's turned-down bolt handle, 21" bbl, and folding bayonet, and should be chambered in 7.35x52 Carcano.


.

 

[tahunua001]

the profile is definitely an Italian Carcano but I'm not expert enough to tell model, year, markings, etc etc...
they came in two calibers, the earlier 6.5x52 mannlicher carcano was the more prolifically used. it has an odd diameter size compared to other 6.5 milometer rounds where the bullet diameter is .268 inches while other 6.5mm rounds are .264 inches.

similarly the later production 7.35mm carcano round is .299 inches and most 30 caliber rounds are are .308-.312. these odd bullet sizes makes it difficult to find reloading components and as there are very few companies still making the ammunition for them, you just about HAVE TO reload to keep them fed.

 

[Pharm]

I beleive by the time this rifle was made, 1942, the Italians had went back to the 6.5 Carcano.

 

[James K]

IIRC, the Model 38 has a fixed rear sight. That is a Model 91/38. If it had ever been converted to 7.35, it was changed back, but I think it was made just as it is now at Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi at Brescia.

Jim

 

[Romeo 33 Delta]

Model 1891 (because it has an adjustable rear sight). The 42-XX looks like an arsenal(?) overstamp (as I can't make out what's underneath it). It is also missing the handguard (affects the collector value, but not it's shootability ... might find a replacement from Springfield Sporteds or Gunparts or Sarco). Caliber is 6.5 x 52 Carcano. Other than the missing handguard ... it's in really decent condition!

 

[Gee3]

Thanks everyone! It'll probably just stay in its case at home and once I'm gone the kids will decide what to do with it. But it is cool to find out a bit about it as its been sitting for a while, only coming out once in a while to clean and oil up.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The serial number of "YC 6133" indicates it is a M38 Cavalry Carbine in 6.5mm. About 330,00 made at FNA-Brescie out of a total of 1.5 million M38 Cav's. This model was made with a fixed 200 meter sight or Adjustable 600-1500 meter with 200 meter battle zero. The FNA-Brescie is the only maker to have the adjustable rear sight. The Beretta's and Gardone's had the fixed rear sight.

It should be 36" long with a 17 3/4inch barrel. It is missing the hand guard. Very nice rifle.