Carcano M91/38
Regio Esercito Arsenal (Terni) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1938
Also known as: Mannlicher-Carcano M91/38, Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 91/38, Carcano Model 1938
Overview
The Carcano M91/38 is an Italian bolt-action rifle, a shortened development of the Modello 1891 service rifle adopted by the Royal Italian Army in 1938. Originally introduced in the more powerful 7.35x51mm cartridge, production reverted to the standard 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano round in 1940 for logistical simplicity. It feeds from a six-round integral magazine loaded by a Mannlicher en-bloc clip and was the principal Italian infantry rifle of the Second World War. A 91/38 carbine is internationally notorious as the weapon used in the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1015 mm (39.96") |
| Barrel Length | 531 mm (20.91") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 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 Sights, En Bloc Clip Loading, Gain Twist Rifling
Variants
- Carcano M38 (7.35mm) — Rechambered
- Carcano M91/38 TS — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1938 · as Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 91/38
- Nazi Germany · adopted 1943 · as Gewehr 214(i)
- Empire of Japan
- Finnish Defence Forces
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Production
Production years: 1938-1945
Manufactured at Italian state arsenals including Terni, Brescia, Gardone and FNA-Brescia; several million Carcano rifles of all patterns were produced from 1892 onward
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Salvatore Carcano
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The M91/38 used fixed battle sights set for 300 metres, unlike the graduated tangent sights of the earlier M91. Like all Carcanos it uses progressive gain-twist (gain-twist) rifling. The en-bloc clip is integral to feeding; the magazine cannot be loaded without it.
Background
The Carcano M91/38 carbine became one of the most infamous rifles in history when a surplus example, purchased by mail order under the alias 'A. Hidell', was identified as the weapon used by Lee Harvey Oswald to assassinate President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on 22 November 1963.