Main
features: This rifle is the first of '91 model family of which
the various versions were adopted by the Italian Army during the
World Wars and later.
It
is better known as 'Carcano' from the name of the designer of
its bolt, Salvatore Carcano (Varese 1827 1903) technical chief
at Turin Arsenal, or even 'Carcano Parravícino' from the
name of the General chairman of the mílitary Commission
who decided the adoption on 5th March 1892. Anyway the box magazine
is derived by a Mannlicher project being the rifle loaded from
a retained 6 rounds clip and royalties were paid to the Designer.
The
rear sight has a folding leaf adjustable up to 2000 meters on
a graduated base. Unparalleled feature of the rifle mod. 91 is
the barrel riffling defined “progressive” because
of its variable twist: at the chamber it begins with one twist
in 578 mm whilst at the muzzle becomes 20 1mm. It is also known
a sniper version, provided with telescope, very rare and never
officially adopted but used during the IWW.
Markings
On the octagonal portion of the barrel are reported:
- production year. It is wholly reported before the IWW and during
the Conflict only by two digits. It was stamped again complete
after 1922 adding, from 1929, the Fascist date with roman numerals
- the name of the town were located the Arsenal or Factory designation
- Arsenal proof and Inspectors' punches
During the quality control, operated by the Arsenal Inspectors,
the more accurate barrels were marked with a special stamp formed
by two crossed rifles under a target. This style of marking was
maintained during the whole production of the '91 guns.
The
serial number XY4 is stamped on the barrel and during the first
production even on the bolt. Series are even stamped on the left
side of the butt stock together with production or reparation
Arsenals emblem. |
