[bch7773]

I bought my first carcano this week, thought i'd post some pictures and you all could help me learn some of its history.

All I know is its a Cavalry Carbine and was made in 1936. The folding bayo is missing, but i heard thats common. why is that?

Mine is not import marked? Does this mean bringback, or were all of them imported before 1968?

Was Gardone VT a rare maker? I hear most of the carcanos are made by Terni?

How do I tell if the bolt is matching? Also, the finish on mine is very glossy shellac or poly.... this wasn't original correct? Also, i can't find any stamps in the stock... is this normal?

I'm amazed by how tiny this thing is... it feels like a .22. Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[5thDragoons]

Gardone V.T. is one of the minor makers of the M91 cav carbine. Hobbs shows that arsenal made them in 1935 - 36 and 37. No production figures are given.

It could be a bringback... it could also be an import as not all were marked by the importer. The lack of bayonet and hanger hints at the latter as some exporters and/or importers removed same to make the carbine "more sporty".

Replacements can be found occasionally on fleabay.

That the stock is shiny from something and lacks any cartouches would be consistent with it having been sanded.

Except for very early Carcano M91 rifles, there's pretty much no way to tell if the bolt is original to the carbine.

They are fun to shoot! SW

 

[bch7773]

what other military slings fit the carcano besides the originals? I can't find any original slings that are inexpensive.

 

[Los Adaes]

Was Gardone V.T. a goverment arsenal or was it part of Beretta ?

 

[bch7773]

anybody know the meanings of the little stamps on it, like the 6 FP on the bolt?

or are they just common inspectors markings?

 

[5thDragoons]

The majority of those are supplier or assembly marks. 'Rocca' is another common bolt mark.

For sling possibilities, put 'Carcano' in the fleabay search bar. I saw some there a while back. SW

 

[11b inf]

sling

hey bch7773.. i have found that a west german leather G-3 sling is the perfect fit on the cav.cabine..you can find them at gunshows etc....just remove the snap hook and weave the sling on thru the front rollermount and back to the stock mount then button to secure...it will look fine...vince g. 11b inf..

 

[bch7773]

hey bch7773.. i have found that a west german leather G-3 sling is the perfect fit on the cav.cabine..you can find them at gunshows etc....just remove the snap hook and weave the sling on thru the front rollermount and back to the stock mount then button to secure...it will look fine...vince g. 11b inf..

thanks, i will give it a shot if the other sling I ordered doesn't work out right. rick reich has those g3 slings cheap too!

 

[bch7773]

finally took this little guy out to the range. I was surprised at the amount of recoil and muzzle blast from such a little gun. reminds me of my m95 carbine.


first few shots at 50 yards with spitzer ammo.... couldn't find any holes in the target. So I moved back to 25 yards, and discovered why.

perfect keyhole rounds low and to the left. grrrrrrrrr. it looks like I've been firing a shotgun full of sideways bullets.

So I tried the roundnose norma rounds, and discovered not only do they not keyhole, but they shot POA at 50 yards with a mauser sight picture. beautiful.