C&R Gurus: Need help getting information on this 6.5 Carcano Rifle

[Lagduf]

Hey guys, recently acquired this Carcano but I don't know much about it. Looks like it's been sporterized to me. I'd like to find out what model this originally was, when it was produced, etc. Is it possible the barrel has been cut back?



For more pictures please check out the IMGUR gallery I made of the gun.

What else do you need pictures of to help me aid in identifying this rifle?

Also, how much can I expect to pay for some clips for this rifle? Single shot loading this rifle is annoying.

I don't see any obvious importer marks, just some numbers on the receiver:

1897
TERNI
GN 9668 (is this the serial number?)

6.5 CALIBER

Under the 1897 text "MADE IN ITALY" or "MADE ITALY" is scrawled - It's hard to see in the images and on the actual gun, but it's there. It doesn't match the other text on the rifle. Looks like someone did it by hand.

[gunboat]

Appears to be a cut down m1891 infantry rifle --
I think the barrel was cut, turned to the diameter of the original muzzle and the original front sight reused.
The last clips I saw advertised were about $4 ea -- the 6.5 and 7.35 clips are the same.
It was likely imported before the law required import markings --
"Terni" is where it was manufactured --
It is actually a pretty good rifle and cartridge --
The mannlicher system with the bolt forward of the bridge prevents mounting a peep and the need for a clip are the major minus points.
my tuppence

[Noonanda]

need you to measure the barrel to know weither it is a cut down rifle or is one of the following
Barrel looks normal to me for either of those types listed, but this is justr based on how the front sight looks.

[Mike A]

A good source of Carcano info is the "Italian Firearms" forum on www,gunboards.com. (some serious collectors there and even a few serious ITALIANS!)

[dfletcher]

Looking at the rear sight I'd say it's a cut down 1891 rifle, not a carbine. The serial number is, I think, stamped on the left side of the barrel near the sight. The 91 has a "gain twist" rifling and from what I've read (FWIW) lopping off the barrel hinders accuracy - I've no idea how. The bullets used should be .266 diameter, not the usual .264. Hornady makes a bullet in that diameter.

They're not such bad guns and the 6.5X52 Italian cartridge is an OK shooter - generally a 160 grain bullet at about 2,100 fps.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

It is a 1891/24. That is a good news, bad news situation for you. The good news is that they are not as common as the later M38 versions. The bad new is that when they made these in the 1920s, they were a cost cutting measure undertaken by the Fascists to avoid spending money on new rifles for their army. They were coming out of some very tough economic times post WWI. So what they did was to take their worn-out 1891 rifles and cut them down. The problems with this are twofold. Many of the rifles selected for this conversion had damage to the crown or shot out barrels. This means that they weren't the most accurate guns to begin with. The second problem has to do with the progressive rifling that was used on the 1891 Carcanos. They start out with a slower twist closer to the chamber. The twist of the rifling gets faster towards the muzzle end of the barrel. What happened with the 91/24 is that they cut off the end of the barrel to make a carbine, and in doing so, removed the section of the barrel with the tightest twist rate. Without that tighter twist, the new, spiffy looking carbine can't stabilize the standard 160 grain bullets.

I have one of these, and I spent many weeks trying to get it to shoot anything. I couldn't get mine to stabilize anything over 100 grains. Anything heavier would keyhole at 25 yards. And since it is an odd bore size, the standard 6.5 bullets are too small, and make the problem worse. The correct size bullets are only readily available in 160 grains. As much as I like carcanoes, I can't really recommend trying to do much of anything with the 91/24s. They are more or less a lost cause. I have heard of a few that supposedly shoot better than mine, but not many. They are universally loathed as shooters. The only thing that yours has going for it is the 1897 date. If you really want to, you could track down a better (read: non 91/24) barrels for it and have it swapped out. But that may very well be more trouble than it is worth. Sorry I don't have better news for you.

-Mb

[Lagduf]

Couple other sites I posted this on have basically confirmed the same thing.

I'm getting hit with the C&R bug and sort of would like a nice Carcano now. Seems like a neat rifle, with some decent history. Not sure what I'll do with this gun now.

I'd hate to get rid of any gun but might see if someone needs some parts from this and just do that. I know a more shootable Carcano can be had for a relatively low price.

No big deal though, this particular rifle was free. I also got a Peruvian Mauser in .30-'06 for the same price

[AK all day]

Could be a beautiful display piece.

[mosinnagantm9130]

No big deal though, this particular rifle was free. I also got a Peruvian Mauser in .30-'06 for the same price

That's the best price right there!

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The pre-1898 receiver and bolt make it worth more together than parted out. I would just sell it either on here or gunbroker.

-Mb

[Lagduf]

The pre-1898 receiver and bolt make it worth more together than parted out. I would just sell it either on here or gunbroker.

-Mb

What kind of price are we talking about?

I'd like to trade it for a Carcano in a correct military configuration.