Carcano Moschetto Mod. 1938 TS
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Gardone) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1938
Also known as: Moschetto Modello 1938 per Truppe Speciali, M38 TS, M91/38 TS
Overview
The Carcano Moschetto Mod. 1938 TS (Moschetto Modello 1938 per Truppe Speciali) is an Italian bolt-action carbine, the special-troops variant of the Modello 1938 Carcano system issued to engineers, artillery crews, machine-gunners and other second-line and support units who needed a handier weapon than the full-length rifle. Introduced in 1938 chambered for the experimental 7.35x51mm Carcano cartridge, most were later produced or reverted to the original 6.5x52mm Carcano as the M91/38 TS after Italy abandoned the caliber change in 1940. It feeds from a six-round en bloc clip through a Mannlicher-pattern integral magazine and uses a Mauser-style two-lug rotating bolt. Unlike the cavalry carbine's permanently attached folding bayonet, the TS mounts a separate knife bayonet on a lug beneath the muzzle, and like other M38-pattern carbines it carries a simplified fixed 200-meter rear sight.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3000 g (105.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 915 mm (36.02") |
| 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 | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| 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
- 6.5x52mm Carcano — also known as 6.5 Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5 Italian
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Rotating Bolt Lock
- Features: En Bloc Clip Loading, Fixed 200m Rear Sight, Separate Knife Bayonet Lug, Full Length Handguard, Two Lug Rotating Bolt, Turned Down Bolt Handle
Variants
- Carcano M91/38 TS - Caliber Reversion 6 5mm
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) · adopted 1938 · as Moschetto Modello 1938 per Truppe Speciali
- Italian Social Republic · adopted 1943
Conflicts
- World War II (1940-1945)
Production
Production years: 1938-1943
Produced in small numbers in 7.35mm before the caliber reversion; most TS carbines of the pattern were made or rebarrelled in 6.5x52mm as the M91/38 TS
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Salvatore Carcano
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The '1938' designation reflects the short-lived 7.35x51mm program; because the caliber change was cancelled in 1940, the great majority of TS carbines were built in or converted to 6.5x52mm and are marked M91/38 TS. Distinguished from the M38 cavalry carbine by its separate knife bayonet and lug rather than an integral folding bayonet.
Background
Italy adopted the 7.35x51mm cartridge and its Modello 1938 rifles and carbines in 1938 to give infantry a flatter-shooting round, but with war looming the logistical chaos of a caliber change forced a reversion to the old 6.5mm in 1940, leaving the 7.35mm M38 TS carbines as short-lived curiosities.