Carcano M38 Cavalry Carbine
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Gardone) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1938
Also known as: Moschetto Modello 38 da Cavalleria, M38 Cavalleria, Mod. 38 Cavalry Carbine, Moschetto Mod. 1938
Overview
The Carcano M38 Cavalry Carbine (Moschetto Modello 1938 da Cavalleria) is an Italian bolt-action carbine introduced in 1938 as the cavalry version of the new Modello 1938 system chambered in the experimental 7.35x51mm Carcano cartridge. A short, half-stocked carbine fed by a six-round en bloc clip, it retained the Carcano family's permanently attached triangular folding bayonet that hinges back beneath the forend. Unlike the M91/38 pattern, the M38 cavalry carbine carries only a fixed 200-meter rear sight, reflecting the Italian decision to simplify wartime carbines for short-range fighting.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2980 g (105.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 915 mm (36.02") |
| Barrel Length | 447 mm (17.60") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | En Bloc Clip |
| Muzzle Velocity | 630 m/s (2067 fps) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.35x51mm Carcano · primary — also known as 7.35mm Carcano, 7.35x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Integral Folding Bayonet, Fixed 200m Rear Sight, En Bloc Clip Feed, Turned Down Bolt Handle, Half Stock Carbine
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) · adopted 1938 · as Moschetto Modello 1938 da Cavalleria
Conflicts
- World War II (1940-1945)
Production
Production years: 1938-1944
M38-pattern carbines were produced from 1940-1944 by Beretta (~210,000), Gardone Val Trompia (~1,064,000) and FNA Brescia (~344,000) across 7.35mm and 6.5mm chamberings; 7.35mm production was a limited early subset before the 1940 reversion to 6.5x52mm.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Salvatore Carcano
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
Italy adopted the 7.35x51mm cartridge in 1938 but reverted to 6.5x52mm Carcano in 1940 due to wartime logistics, so M38 carbines were also produced (and many existing ones rebarreled) in 6.5mm. The 7.35mm M38 cavalry carbine is the earlier short-production configuration. Weight figure (~2.98 kg) converted from 6 lb 9 oz.
Background
The 7.35x51mm cartridge was Italy's answer to lessons of the Spanish Civil War - a heavier, more lethal round to replace the long-serving 6.5mm. The M38 cavalry carbine was built around it, but wartime ammunition logistics forced Italy to abandon the new caliber in 1940, leaving the 7.35mm Carcanos as one of World War Two's shortest-lived service cartridges.