Original Antique Italian Moschetto Modello 1891 Carcano Carbine with Folding Bayonet – Serial D 5216 dated 1894 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This M-1891 Carcano Musketoon / Carbine was at the start of a massive manufacturing run of similar Models ordered by the Italian Government. The series of rifles is probably most well known for being used in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Lee Harvey Oswald, who used a Fucile di Fanteria Modello 91/38 (Model 1938 “infantry rifle”). However aside from that, the rifles and carbines were in service in front and rear line service for close to 90 years and Italy, and continue to be used to this day.

The design itself was introduced in 1891, and was chambered for the rimless 6.5×52mm Carcano cartridge (Cartuccia Modello 1895). It was developed by the chief technician Salvatore Carcano at the Turin Army Arsenal in 1890 and called the Modello (model) 91 or simply M91. Successively replacing the previous Vetterli-Vitali rifles and carbines in 10.35×47mmR, it was produced from 1892 to 1945 in various configurations. The M91 was used in both rifle (fucile) and shorter-barreled carbine (moschetto) form by most Italian troops during the First World War and by Italian and some German forces during the Second World War. The rifle was also used during the Winter War by Finland, and again by regular and irregular forces in Syria, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria during various postwar conflicts in those countries.

Although this rifle is often called “Mannlicher–Carcano”, especially in American parlance, neither that designation nor the name “Mauser–Parravicino” is correct. Its official designation in Italian is simply Modello 1891, or M91 (“il novantuno”). The magazine system uses en bloc charger clips which were originally developed and patented by Ferdinand Mannlicher, but the actual shape and design of the Carcano clip is derived from the German Model 1888 Commission Rifle.

This is a fine example of the earliest version of the Carcano Musketoon / Carbine, the Moschetto Modello 1891 (Musketoon Model 1891), with an integral folding bayonet. These were adopted on 9 June 1893 and under Act No. 116 dated of 15 July 1893 is when the nomenclature became official. While sometimes referred to as “Cavalry Carbines”, these were never officially referred to in this way in Italian Army documents. These originally did not have a front hand guard on top of the barrel, but in 1916 this was changed in the design. Existing carbines in service had the barrel band and rear sight slightly modified to fit the wooden hand guard, as this example was.

The barrel nocks form is marked on the side with serial number D 5216, and on the top it is marked BRESCIA, indicating manufacture in Brescia, a major gun-making region of Italy. Another facet is dated 1894, indicating it was made during the first full year of production for this model. There are no markings indicating that the bore was ever “Tubed” to refurbish it. The bolt does not have a serial number that we can see, however the left side of the stock is marked with matching serial number D 5216. There is also an arsenal cartouche on the left side dated 1931, indicating that the Carbine was still in service at that time. There are also some import markings stamped onto the left side of the carbine metalwork.

The metalwork has lots of the original blued finish, with some light rust spotting on the barrel, and wear from service. Both “rolling” sling swivels on the left side of the carbine are still intact and functional, and the short carbine rear sight is as well. The rifle cycles well and dry fires, though we have no way to test to see if the magazine still feeds. There is some slop in the action due to wear. The bore shows clear lands and grooves, with a partly bright finish. It definitely does show wear on the lands from service, and the grooves dark due to oxidation and fouling. The stocks are in very good condition, with a nice color and no major damage or other issues that we can see. They do show overall wear from service, with multiple dents and small scratches.

Made BEFORE 1899, so Federally considered an Antique. A very nice example of the earliest type of Carcano Carbine, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: 6.5×52mm Carcano (Cartuccia Modello 1895)
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 36 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 6 round internal magazine loaded by En-Bloc clip