Carcano Moschetto Mod. 1891/38
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Gardone) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1938
Also known as: Moschetto Modello 91/38, Carcano M91/38 Carbine, Mannlicher-Carcano 91/38 Carbine
Overview
The Carcano Moschetto Mod. 1891/38 is an Italian bolt-action carbine of the Mannlicher-Carcano family, chambered in 6.5x52mm Carcano and fed by a 6-round en-bloc clip. It is the carbine version of the Modello 1938 system: after the experimental 7.35x52mm cartridge was abandoned around 1940, cavalry and special-troops carbines were standardized (and reverted) to the proven 6.5mm round while retaining the simplified fixed 300-metre rear sight of the M38 pattern. It served the Regio Esercito throughout World War II with an integral folding bayonet.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 925 mm (36.42") |
| Barrel Length | 450 mm (17.72") |
| 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 | 300 m (328 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
- 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano · primary — also known as 6.5 Carcano, 6.5x52mm, 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed 300m Rear Sight, Gain Twist Rifling, En Bloc Clip Feed, Integral Folding Bayonet, Turned Down Bolt Handle
Variants
- Carcano M91 Cavalry Carbine - Cavalry
- Carcano M91 TS - Special Troops
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1938 · as Moschetto Mod. 91/38
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1938-1945
Produced at Italian state arsenals (Terni, Gardone, Brescia) alongside the wider Carcano family; exact carbine totals not separately recorded
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Salvatore Carcano
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Produced in cavalry (da Cavalleria) and special-troops (per Truppe Speciali) forms distinguished mainly by their bayonet arrangement. Distinguished from the original 1893 M91 cavalry carbine by its fixed rather than adjustable rear sight, and from the M38 cavalry carbine by its 6.5mm rather than 7.35mm chambering.
Background
When Italy scrapped its short-lived 7.35mm modernization program on the eve of World War II, factories simply built the new Model 1938 carbine around the old 6.5mm cartridge instead, keeping the fixed 300-metre sight born from a wartime shortcut on the assumption that most infantry fighting happened closer than that anyway.