M91 Mannlicher-Carcano……………. (F 1271)
Created on May 15th 2026
M1891 Mannlicher-Carcano Infantry Rifle
The rifle that took the place of the Vetterli-Vitali converted rifles in service with the Italians. This example is chambered in its original caliber of 6.5 x 52mm. One advantage which helped secure its place was the fact that the magazine held 6 shots as opposed to most others which held 5. The rifle functions on a very simple bolt system with a crude safety at the rear of the bolt. To feed rounds effectively, it relies on a drop through symetrical clip which can be loaded either way up.
The rifle is elegant and simple in design with a one piece stock and short hand guard on the barrel. The stock is devoid of fore-end finger grooves and has a slim profile with an open channel for the cleaning rod. The stock itself is made from Birch and has remained light in colour with the normal requsit amount of bruising from a life spent in the hands of soldiers. There are two stock cartouches on the RHS of the stock plus the serial number, which matches the breech; “ORB / 9091”. Directly above that marking is an older circular mark which is illegible, but above that slightly clearer markin aoval reading; “F.A.T. / 1947” This may have been when it actually finally dropped out of service? The stock itself is in good condition for a rifle that is 109 years old! The sling swivels are fixed onto the underside, which is correct for an Infantry Rifle.
The action itself is practically devoid of any marks apart from a couple of proof marks, it’s the barrel shank that has the information upon it. Between the action and the rear sight is a hexagonal sectioned knox form, on each face there is information to decode. Observing directly from the top the most obvious is the caliber and makers mark it reads; ” 6.5 Carc. / TERNI / HEGE” TERNI is R.E. TERNI – F.A.T. the barrel maker (matches the stock marking.) “HEGE” is a modern weapons importer in Germany – not really part of the rifles relevant history. If you then look at the RHS of the flats you can see a “17” upside down; year of manufacture, which explains why there is no roman Fascist date; as they had no yet come to power. Then disappearing under the woodwork on the upright face, the initials “FP” which stand for Fonderie/Ferriere Piemontesi. Going towards the LHS is “O.R.B. 9091” On the last face you can see an inspectors mark in an oval of “S.G.” This was Salerno Giuseppe, who was at Terni from 1900 to 1921. So this fits with the date of 1917. Also, on the bolt stub is another inspectors mark that also lines up the dates correctly of; “P.G.” This was Pautassi Giovanne Battista, who was at Terni from 1916 to 1919. So we can be reasonably sure, that all the major components, although not marked in the conventional fashion, with serial numbers or parts of, have been together from the start. It’s as good as it gets with this make of rifle.
Rear sights graduated from 600 to 2000 meters. Most of the bluing is intact and of a relatively high quality. The rifle carries modern German CIP proofs. Cleaning rod in position under barrel. Bayonet fitment in position under front band. Twin sling swivels and a good khaki reproduction sling making the rifle easily carried. Armoury stock repair to rear of action. Bolt cocks on opening. The bore is good with the mildest shallow pitt or marking towards the chamber at the twelve oclock position but nothing that would disrupt to any degree. Rifling is strong with clean lands and some depth. This is a chance to get hold of a rifle that did not suffer any of the modifications or re-chambering that tend to drag the value of these weapons down. An original survivor from Italy’s early 20th centrury military history.
Stock No’ F 1271 – FAC Required
£ 795.
M91 Bayonet and Leather Scabbard
A good example of the M1891 Rifle bayonet (Infantry) in its original leather scabbard. Birch wooden grips with twin rivets. Birdshead pommel with straight crosguard being marked ” H.M. 165″. Square-backed single edge blade with point. Fuller on each side. OAL 17″ Blade 11.3/8″. Looks to be period sharpenedon a wheel. Good leather scabbard black, wearing through in colour to brown. Steel chape and throat. Stitching good as intact. A secure fit to the rifle above.
£ 175.
Comments Off on M91 Mannlicher-Carcano……………. (F 1271)