Prez1981
Posted - 12/30/2003 : 5:32:30 PM
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I recently aquired a Steyr M95 long rifle from an auction and have some questions on it. I belive the rifle to have been issued to the Italians at some point in time.
It is still in 8X50R and is all matching (WWI method of matching). The stock is stamped in two or three places with a 1/2" circled CE, as is the barrel lip that abutts the receiver (1/4"). There is also a circled CE marking (idential to the circle/letter marks on other Italian rifle) on the chamber just below the Wn (eagle) 16. There are no AOI marks to indicate post WWI or colonial usage.
Any thoughts on it? The rifle is very nice and is a bringback. Would it have been captured/used by the Italians in World War One? I have heard Italian rifles with AOI markings, but never with any other markings.
Russianblood
Posted - 12/30/2003 : 8:10:36 PM
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I heard a lot of the M95 were given to Italy for war reparations after WWI. So many in fact that if you go to Amazon.com you can order a Steyr M95 manual for the Italian army.
DocAV
Posted - 01/01/2004 : 08:23:41 AM
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Of the thousands of M95 Rifles and carbines captured or delivered as reparations in 1919 to Italy, only a relatively small number were actually marked "AOI" or "CAS", or "RE" on the stocks, for use in the Italian colonies in Northern and Eastern Africa.
On the other hand, almost all of the acquired M95 were "inspected" by RE Armourers or Inspectors, and a small relief acceptance stamp applied either on the receiver ring or the barrel shank. This stamp consists either of the royal crown in relief within a small oval , or various inspector's initials (last name first) within an oval.
These small marks are often overlooked, unless one is aware of their existence as a possible marking of an original calibre M95.(other wood markings notwithstanding).
regards, Doc AV
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Story
Posted - 03/02/2005 : 4:43:55 PM
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I don't know about the rebuilding in Italy after they were surrendered as war reparations by the Austro-Hungarians, but when the Italians surrendered A.O.I. the Commonwealth gathered up all the ordnance they could find for reissue to Allied units (one of the first U.S. unit, an ordnance company, helped run the Asmara facility).
The Indian Army received thousands of ex-Italian weapons for the units that were training up in 1941. You might want to check with the guys on the British board, see if any of the unit marks are Indian.
Posted - 12/30/2003 : 5:32:30 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently aquired a Steyr M95 long rifle from an auction and have some questions on it. I belive the rifle to have been issued to the Italians at some point in time.
It is still in 8X50R and is all matching (WWI method of matching). The stock is stamped in two or three places with a 1/2" circled CE, as is the barrel lip that abutts the receiver (1/4"). There is also a circled CE marking (idential to the circle/letter marks on other Italian rifle) on the chamber just below the Wn (eagle) 16. There are no AOI marks to indicate post WWI or colonial usage.
Any thoughts on it? The rifle is very nice and is a bringback. Would it have been captured/used by the Italians in World War One? I have heard Italian rifles with AOI markings, but never with any other markings.
Russianblood
Posted - 12/30/2003 : 8:10:36 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I heard a lot of the M95 were given to Italy for war reparations after WWI. So many in fact that if you go to Amazon.com you can order a Steyr M95 manual for the Italian army.
DocAV
Posted - 01/01/2004 : 08:23:41 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the thousands of M95 Rifles and carbines captured or delivered as reparations in 1919 to Italy, only a relatively small number were actually marked "AOI" or "CAS", or "RE" on the stocks, for use in the Italian colonies in Northern and Eastern Africa.
On the other hand, almost all of the acquired M95 were "inspected" by RE Armourers or Inspectors, and a small relief acceptance stamp applied either on the receiver ring or the barrel shank. This stamp consists either of the royal crown in relief within a small oval , or various inspector's initials (last name first) within an oval.
These small marks are often overlooked, unless one is aware of their existence as a possible marking of an original calibre M95.(other wood markings notwithstanding).
regards, Doc AV
* * *
Story
Posted - 03/02/2005 : 4:43:55 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know about the rebuilding in Italy after they were surrendered as war reparations by the Austro-Hungarians, but when the Italians surrendered A.O.I. the Commonwealth gathered up all the ordnance they could find for reissue to Allied units (one of the first U.S. unit, an ordnance company, helped run the Asmara facility).
The Indian Army received thousands of ex-Italian weapons for the units that were training up in 1941. You might want to check with the guys on the British board, see if any of the unit marks are Indian.