Carcano Modello 1938 Short Rifle
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Gardone) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1938
Also known as: Fucile Corto Mod. 1938, Model 38 Short Rifle, Mannlicher-Carcano M38
Overview
The Carcano Modello 1938 (Fucile Corto Mod. 1938) is an Italian bolt-action short rifle, a shortened and modernized member of the Mannlicher-Carcano family fed by a 6-round en-bloc clip. It was introduced in 1938 chambered in the new 7.35x51mm Carcano cartridge, an early intermediate-class round, but wartime logistics led Italy to revert most production to the older 6.5x52mm Carcano. The design retains the Carcano's signature gain-twist (progressive) rifling.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1016 mm (40.00") |
| Barrel Length | 540 mm (21.26") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | En Bloc Clip |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.35x51mm Carcano · primary — also known as 7.35 Carcano, 7.35x51mm
- 6.5x52mm Carcano — also known as 6.5 Carcano, 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5x52mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Bolt Sleeve Safety
- Features: Mannlicher Action, Gain Twist Rifling, En Bloc Clip Fed, Folding Bayonet, Fixed Battle Sight
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1938 · as Fucile Corto Mod. 1938
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1940
- Nazi Germany
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1938-1945
7.35mm production largely ceased by 1940-1941 when Italy reverted to 6.5mm; no firm total documented
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Salvatore Carcano
Discontinued: 1941
Notes
The 7.35mm chambering proved a supply burden; Italy reverted to 6.5x52mm during World War II and Finland, which bought roughly 90,000 M38 rifles in 7.35mm, relegated the odd caliber largely to rear-area and training use. Many M38s feature a fixed battle sight (200-300 m).
Background
The 7.35x51mm M38 is often called one of the first true 'intermediate' service cartridges, its 128-grain bullet at roughly 700 m/s landing ballistically close to the later Soviet 7.62x39mm a full decade ahead of it.