[Carcano]

I just online transferred the stipulated purchase amount for a M 38 Moschetto TS in 7,35 x 51 mm which I found in the catalogue of a dealer. Now looking forwarding to the not-so-long brown box being delivered to my office. )

Due to lack of funds, I missed one about 10 (or 12) years ago, alas (only bought an Hungarian Gb 35 cheap), and am glad to have the chance to make up for it. The gun is described as Gardone manufacture 1939. The prices of this specific dealer usually are quite "Gasioresque", but this time, the price is okay.

Carcano

 

[Prez1981]

Is that the one that was listed for $800 on GB for quite a while? Looked to be a matching piece with a decent cartouche. I was close to jumping a couple times but sold all but one Carcano so couldn't justify it.

 

[Los Adaes]

Carcano, did the arsenal at Gardone have any connection with Beretta?

 

[Carcano]

Carcano, did the arsenal at Gardone have any connection with Beretta?

Connection yes. The state factory (formerly called SFARE, see the Mod. 1889 revolvers) e.g. used Beretta subcontracted parts on occasion. But they were separate entities.

Carcano

 

[Los Adaes]

Thanks. Please post a pic of your new 7.35 TS when you get it.

 

[Richard in NY*]

"Not the Holy Grail, but a shiny chalice at least (Moschetto 1938 TS)"

Alexander:

Congrats on finally obtaining a 7.35 TS! A very hard to find little rifle.

I am curious, what would you (and other Carcano collectors here) consider to be the Holy Grail of Carcanos?

 

[Carcano]

Package arrived today in the office. I signed for it and will unpack it at home.

As to Richard's query (don't we know each other back from rec.guns, where I was c96, and from the c-r-ffl mailing list?):
I simply do not like the colloquial Gunboards term "Holy Grail" for monikering a shooting iron, maybe out of literary and religious sensibilities for what the words mean. YMMV.
But as to which Carcanos I would regard as especially rare and desirable:

- original WW I scoped sniper rifles
- WW I cyclists' rifles (virtually all seem to have been retroconverted)
- Austrian rechamberings in their original condition ("6,5mm Jt. u. Gr.")
- Fucili Allievi Tiratori (.22 single shot)
- Chinese used Carcanos (maybe with militia stampings)
- Moschetti TS in 7,35mm

Carcano

 

[Carcano]

Moschetto 38 TS Surprise !

Just opened the package at home.

First impression: excellent packaging, bubble wrap with large bubbles (much better than the usual soft ones).

The gun has its matching (not force-matched) original dark stained beech stock, clearly marked "CAL. 7,35" over "crown-***-39" over the serial number A 464 (ah, a low one).

On the barrel, the rear sight caliber indication and the serial number are crudely hand-stamped.

The gun still has its cleaning rod (not too usual with Moschetti TS).

The muzzle crown is excellently sharp. Bore is shiny and almost sharp. Not new, but very good.

...

But - ew! Shucks! There is a fly in the ointment! Nah, not a fly, a big cockroach. :-((

The dealer did not mention in his catalogue description, nor on the phone; but on the lower side of the stock, behind the trigger guard, the wood bears an inconspicuously small German Hoheitsadler. I do not have a jeweller's loupe, but I can see the "Za" part in the inscription under the eagle. The strange thing is that there are 2 (two) letters before the "Za", not just the single "H" for Heereszeugamt; could be SSZa. But anyhow, some stoopid Wehrmacht or Waffen-SS inspector has maltreated this nice original gun! Woe to me!

Well, maybe I can sand the stock and put a nice shiny polyurethane finish on it. Cousin Bubba will volunteer to help me. Hehe.

Carcano

 

[DMala]

Congratulations for the acquisition, which is indeed one of the hardest to come by. Yes, once in a while it is OK to pay full price + some for something unusual, especially as we get older and as we see our savings drained by everything and everyone anyway......

Subjectively, my own Holy Grail would be a "Prize" M91 with plaque referring to a major competition and original leather case. I have the regret to have seen two on sale (minus the leather case) in my earliest collection days, and let them go because at that time I thought I would not get too much into collecting...... But I must say that I also feel so happy when shooting my plainly marked M41 Armaguerra, Holy Grails sometimes are modest clay cups.....

 

[Carcano]

For comparison purposes, here is a link to an old thread on similarly "HZa" stamped Carcanos:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=3000

Carcano

 

[5thDragoons]

My holy grail of Italian rifles would be a documentable 'Guardie del Re'. Impossible, you say? I fear you are right.

In that case, I'd settle for a Beretta M91 long rifle. SW