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Like new Carcano clips? PICS ADDED

2.5K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  ArizonaBeagle  
#1 · (Edited)
I have a Carcano rifle coming to me some time, so I ordered some 6-round clips to have on hand when it does finally arrive.

I bought them from Northridge, which may or may not have a good reputation. What I received is 6 clips that look factory fresh. But whose factory, I wonder? Are there modern made clips out there, or are there just a bunch of "as new" ones still floating around?

These are shiny blud steel. On the back they say "SMI" on one end and have a star and "39" on the other. I know SMI is also an Italian cartridge headstamp, so it make sense for them to have made clips. (I have some .303 Brit API made by them).

Do these sound "legit", or like modern repros? Thanks.


Rob
 
#4 ·
I just happened to have one handy ... These are SocietĂ  Metallurgica Italiana (SMI) 1942 dated ammo in the same en-block (latrine di caricamento)

Patrick
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Latrine == plural of Latrina=
Long drop toilet in the field.

Lastrina: Strip of metal;
Also Stripper Clip ( Mauser style)
Piastrina ( di caricamento)
Charger/ Packet clip/ en-bloc.

Sorry to be picky, Patrick.

Those SMI 39 clips have been stripped out of Finnish 1939 delivery of M38 7.35 ammo
( Interarms, 1960s, along with
Finn M1938 Fucile Corto)

DocAV
How about those T45 strippers...with Covid I have plenty of workshop time.

BTW, new made M91 chargers will be out by July ( tooling in place, waiting for heat treatment oven).
 
#11 ·
I presume this was aimed at me and the clips I bought from Northridge. Thanks.

@DocAV -- regarding your comment about the clips being from "stripped out of Finnish 1939 delivery of M38 7.35 ammo". Is there something about these clips that tells us this origin story? Or just that it is the most common source of "as new" clips in the US?

Can you tell me more about your new-made 3-round Berthier clips? I only have 3 or 4 originals of those plus a few 5-round ones.

Rob
 
#13 ·
Dear Rob,
Back in 2010 I got, through ICCA site, copies of the original designs for the M1890 Berthier chargers, with improved designs of early 1920s.
I had one original clip, squashed, so it was "opened up" to get flat development designs to check against drawings.
My Tool and Die maker then made a set of Blank, Punch, and Fold/Impress Tools, for use with SAE 1055 spring steel.
After forming up, they were heat treated on a Miele Stove Electric hotplate, and Oil quenched ( Hot oil Blue).
They were also "headstamped"
With "AVBC 2011" , initials AVB, and BC, my retired toolmaker friend who did the final fold and
Heat treatment.
First 1000 clips sold by 2015, new Batch 2016 date. About half gone; M90 tooling now on R&R whilst I set up M91 Carcano clip tooling.
Covid and other previous health issues have slowed down Clip production, and new design development( M88 Commission, M70/87 V-Vitale,
M95M Insert, and M38-7,9S Carcano; M16 Berthier probably 2021, RSC17 2021).


Regards,
DocAV