Carcano Band Wagon

[Cam_S]

Hello,

I thought that I would jump on the Carcano band wagon. I recently picked up a Fat 42 Carcano Rifle ( same as Seba's and Bill's M41) and I have a few questions.

I have been reading though the previous posts trying to absorb as mutch info as possible. Now I was wondering if someone could post some pictures of a sling and the bayonet that the rifle used.

Also the rifle has some barley legible words beside the Fat 42 markings. It is to the right of it and please correct me but it looks like "MANF IT???". Other that that it is a standard m41 rifle.

Anyways I bought the rifle for $50 from a store because they were trying to clear out any rifles that they could not find a steady stream of ammo for.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Cam

[Bill Grist]

Bayonet

Here arre a couple of Italian M91 Bayonets Dated 1941 and 1942.. I posted a carbine with a sling the same sling was used on both the rifle and carbine, the Lettering is Manufactured Italy...BILL

[Bill Grist]

Here arre a couple of Italian M91 Bayonets Dated 1941 and 1942.. I posted a carbine with a sling the same sling was used on both the rifle and carbine, the Lettering is Manufactured Italy...BILL

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[Bill Grist]

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[Bill Grist]

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[Bill Grist]

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[Cam_S]

Thanks Bill

Hello,

Thanks for posting the pictures Bill. I will now know what to look for.

Just one more question. Were these rifles ever refitted after the war? On the rifles stock above the serial number there is a circle with FAT and what looks like 1941 or 47. The other markings on the rifle say that it is a FAT 42. Also the stock is mutch lighter than the hand gaurd. The hand gaurd looks like hardwood and the stock looks laminated.

Could this be a refit rifle or just a post war stock that is thrown on?

Thanks again for the pictures.

Cam

[AndyB]

Hello Bill, thanks for nice picture, please have You more information, when were the bayos started blued? It was prewar or in war period? best regards,Andy

[Johnnie]

In regards to post war refitted Carcanos, my research indicates the Italians refurbished a few of them and put them in reserve, but except for competitive rifle team use, I am not aware of post war use, but I am willing to bet a lot were police/carabiniere issued. The Italian army was initially equiped with mostly U.S. WW2 M-1.s. They even made some themselves in Italy under liscence.
You will see a number of M-38 carbines in 7.92 mm German service for sale with ludicrous ads saying they were Africa Korps issue. There is a lot of controversy concerning whether the Germans ever had any made in 7.92mm, and the ones on the market are probably post war rechambers intended for the post war Middle East market. Both Egypt and Israel used 7.92mm German, and the Israelis standardized it prior to adopting 7.62mm NATO.
Hope this helps,
Johnnie

Hello,

Thanks for posting the pictures Bill. I will now know what to look for.

Just one more question. Were these rifles ever refitted after the war? On the rifles stock above the serial number there is a circle with FAT and what looks like 1941 or 47. The other markings on the rifle say that it is a FAT 42. Also the stock is mutch lighter than the hand gaurd. The hand gaurd looks like hardwood and the stock looks laminated.

Could this be a refit rifle or just a post war stock that is thrown on?

Thanks again for the pictures.

Cam

[AndyB]

Hello John, thanks for Your enhanced answer, i meaned after WW1 were this reblued? While the M1891 bayonet was used to end of WW2, i have seen WW1 production in blued condition. This pictured bayo is WW2 period made.best regards,Andy