Terni Rifle Serial Numbers
The FBI did locate a rifle with the serial number 2766, while the LHO rifle was C-2766. The invoice of Empire Wholesale Sporting Goods, Limited, in Montreal Canada, dated June 29, 1962, reflects the sale of 700 used Italian rifles to Century Arms of St. Albens, Vermont. The rifle found on the floor at the Texas Book Depository after John Kennedy was shot was a Terni Rocca rifle- 6.5 cal, serial number c2766, with crown markings. It is referred to as a Mannlicher. Early Dutch rifle mfg in 1875. The 3-rd Vitali mag was added in 1890. Dutch Imperial marked. Barrel 32.5', overall 52.25. Original in-the-white finish is turning into light brown patina. No rust, minor pitting on the buttplate. Strong sharp shiny rifling, with crud in the grooves. Matching serial numbers.
We’ve put together a simple visual guide to identifying the Carcano rifles. While there are only a handful of models, the caliber and fitting variations are numerous. Remember, what is presented here is just enough information to be dangerous. As we can lay hands on individual models and variations we’ll try to fill in the details. Otherwise, please enjoy this Carcano identification guide. Model 1891 Fucile Modello 91 Length 50.56″ Barrel Length 30.69″ Weight 8.44 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 600-2,000 Manufactured beginning in 1892, the Carcano Model 1891 was a hybrid design combining a native Italian bolt with a Mannlicher magazine system.
Gain twist rifling was used to extend the barrel life of this and all subsequent Carcano rifles until the Model 1938. This rifle should be chambered for 6.5x52mm, although a rare few were converted in Austria to 6.5x54mm MS. Manufacturing stopped in 1918, however a few were made at Beretta between 1937-1940 before the creation of the Model 1941. Model 1891 Cavalry Moschetto Modello 91 da Cavalleria Length 36.25″ Barrel Length 17.63″ Weight 6.88 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 600-1,500 Adopted in 1893, this carbine was meant to serve Italy’s cavalry units. It’s handy size and weight found it a home in many other branches, including paratroops. This carbine features a permanently attached, folding spike bayonet.
M1891 Cavalry production was halted after WWI but resumed from 1932-1938. This carbine should only be chambered in 6.5x52mm.
Model 1891 T.S. Moschetto Modello 91 per Truppe Speciali Length 36.31″ Barrel Length 17.69″ Weight 6.53 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 600-1,500 Manufacturing of this specialist carbine began in 1898.
The TS was intended to serve as a handy rifle for non-infantry units such as artillery units. Early models were paired with a side-mounting bayonet that rotated into position.
This was later abandoned and a standard M91 bayonet. Production halted in 1919. The caliber should always be 6.5x52mm.
Model 91/24 Moschetto Modello 91/24 Length 36.25″ Barrel Length 17.81″ Weight 6.53 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 600-1,500 From 1924 to 1929 approximately 260,000 M1891 long rifles were converted into T.S. Pattern carbines. Early models may have been drilled out and had new rifled tubes inserted, but most conversions just meant cutting down the barrel and re-crowning. These carbines can be spotted easily as they still have the longer rifle rear sight base. These rifles should only be found in 6.5x52mm.
Model 91/28 Moschetto Modello 91/28 Length 36.06″ Barrel Length 17.94″ Weight 6.81 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 600-1,500 This is simply a new production model 91/24, although some original M91 T.S. Rifles were restocked to the M91/28 pattern. Rear sights bases are shorter like original carbines.
Caliber should be 6.5x52mm. Few rifles were produced for use with the M28 grenade launcher, which was quickly discontinued.
Produced from 1928-1938. Model 38 Fucile Modello 91/38 Length 40.12″ Barrel Length 21.06″ Weight 7.44 lbs Sights 200 meter fixed sights The Model 1938 marked the wholesale adoption of short rifle and carbine doctrine for Italian military forces.
Very early rifles lack a lower barrel band and have long, uninterrupted hand guards that extend to the bayonet lug. First paired with a folding knife bayonet, these were later converted or new-made in a fixed form. Many rifles were sold to Finland and will feature an SA mark on the barrel. This rifle was introduced in the new 7.35x51mm cartridge but later reverted to 6.5x52mm because of logistical issues in the Italian military. Caliber may be determined by reading the rear sight. Some rifles were later converted by the German military to emergency rifles in 7.92x57mm.
These will have the caliber marked on the barrel. Model 38 Cavalry Moschetto Modello 91/38 Cavalleria Length 36.06″ Barrel Length 17.63″ Weight 6.62 lbs Sights 200 meter fixed sights. Model 1938 Cavalry carbines mirrored original M91 cavalry carbines but featured fixed sights.FNA-Brescia did return to the adjustable rear sight (200 meter battle sight with 600-1500 meter adjustable) when they began producing in 6.5x52mm again. Some may have stocks previously produced and unused for the M91/28 rifles intended to equip the M28 grenade launcher. These will feature prominent replacement wood fittings in a bid to recycle raw materials.
Produced until 1944. This rifle was introduced in the new 7.35x51mm cartridge but later reverted to 6.5x52mm because of logistical issues in the Italian military. Caliber may be determined by reading the rear sight. Some rifles were later converted by the German military to emergency rifles in 7.92x57mm. These will have the caliber marked on the barrel. Additionally, some were converted to 7.92x57mm post war in attempts to market to the middle east. These will be marked on the rear sight and the stock.
Model 38 T.S. Moschetto Modello 91/38 Truppe Speciali Length 36.5″ Barrel Length 17.75″ Weight 6.37 lbs Sights 200 meter fixed sights This is a continuation of the original M91 T.S. Carbine and featured in the same specialty roles.
All versions feature simplified, fixed rear sights. Production continued until at least 1943, perhaps into 1944.
This rifle was introduced in the new 7.35x51mm cartridge but later reverted to 6.5x52mm because of logistical issues in the Italian military. Caliber may be determined by reading the rear sight. Additionally, some were converted to 7.92x57mm post war in attempts to market to the middle east. These will be marked on the rear sight and the stock.
Model 1941 Fucile Modello 41 Length 46″ Barrel Length 27.19″ Weight 8.5 lbs Sights 300 meters and adjustable 300-1,000 Having failed to convert to the 7.35x51mm cartridge, Italy also began to regret their short-rifle-fixed-sights-only campaign. Some Model 1891 production began again, but it was a strain on resources.
The M1941 was slightly shorter and used the carbine-style adjustable rear sight. Because of the Italian surrender in 1943, many of these rifles did not see service and can often be found in mint condition. Others, however, were manufactured under German occupation. Production continued until 1944. Some rifles were converted by the German military to emergency rifles in 7.92x57mm. These will have the caliber marked on the barrel. Japanese Type I Tipo I Length 50.75″ Barrel Length 30.75″ Weight 8.75 lbs Sights Arisaka, 400-2400 meters The Type I (pronounced “eye”) rifle was purchased by the Japanese Navy in order to free up Arisaka Type 38 rifles for Imperial infantry.
It is a basic Carcano action nested in Italian-made copies of Type 38 stocks, magazines, sights, etc Produced 1938-1939. Not sure if my first message went through but I have two carcanos and would like your help identifying them and their calibres. The first is an original long rifle that has DH5193 on both the breech and the stock. It also has the notch in the wood in front of the rear sight like the picture of the 41. The second one looks sporterized with a shorer barrell and no wood on top of the barrell at all. I has EL7920 on the breech and what appears to be DI5454 on the stock.
Any help would be greatly appreciated and would like to know the calibres if possible. The only two long rifles (outside of the Japanese contract Type I) are the 1891 and 1941. If you have a rear sight about 1-1.5 inches long folded it is the 41. If it is closer to 3 inches long folded it is the earlier 1891. Either would have been 6.5 originally but never assume the caliber of a gun. Take it to a gunsmith. Sporterized Carcano carbines can the notoriously hard to identify at a glance.
If the stock does not match we can disregard it entirely. What sort of sights does it have? This is the first question to narrowing any model down.
Terni Italian Rifle Serial Numbers
Just got a reference to your website from another Carcano owner (his is an 8mm conversion of the 38)great info. I have become very impressed with the 4 Carcano converted “sporters” to which I have added nicely bore centered side-mounted scopesonce the sighting system is good they shoot very well, reliably and accurately thru short to medium distances (100-250m) and are a light, small, rugged rifle that is great for deer or other small to medium game. With the low recoil and light weight they are a great rifle for anyone especially youth and ladies.
Best of all the receivers are easy to drill and the design is very forgiving when the bolt channel is altered. The sporterizing conversions of the 1950s and 1960s really reduced the utility of these rifles but a small investment in a better sighting will undo much of the bad press they have received. I have had good success using Carcano 6.5x52mm Privi Partizan ammo that have the.264″ diameter bullets, likewise for the Privi 6.5x54mm MSoverall they are a very good rifle! Hi there Othasis – you seem to know a ton about these carbines, so maybe you can help me identify mine? At first I thought it was a M38 because of the ’round chamber’ which I read is an identifier of the later cavalry carbines. But then I read that my adjustable site.with the weird notch just ahead of it on the stock.
and permeant fixed (but folding) bayonet, means it’s an M1891 so now i’m confused because you guys are talking about a M4!??? Can i send you pics of mine so i know if it’s 6.5 or 7.35??? Hello, I just acquired a model 1891, at least from my research this is what it appears to be, the top of the barrel is not hexagon like I see others it is rounded and has what appears to be the markings FAFT 68, and then in larger lettering BA 1346 on both the barrel and the stock, the sights lay out to about 3″ and it has a bayonet on the front with a threaded round mounted just under the barrel. Just curious if I’m correct about the model and what year production on this in relation to the serial numbers, thank you, I can email pics as well. I recently bought a Carcano 6.5. Terni stamped on the barrel, along with SA in a square.
I understand that means it was issued to the Finnish Army. On the left side of the barrel is the serial number N2686. Above that is the date 1895. On the right side of the barrel is the date 1939 along with the roman numeral XVII.
It also has the trap door on the butt stock. The rifle is 40 inches long overall, so I think its a short.
Was this weapon manufactured in 1895 and re-stamped in 1939 when it was issued to the Finns. And what would the 17 in roman numerals mean. The rifle has been modified. The stock shortened and rear sight removed for some unknown reason.
A homemade fashioned peep sight was added to the left side at the breach so it gets in the way of loading a clip. Not sure what someone was thinking there. Any information would be helpful. I’ve been looking everywhere to find out what model Carcano I have. I read this, I have the Skennerton handbook on Carcanos Mine is definitely a 1939 year rifle. The only problem is that with all of the illustrations that I have seen, not one of them looks like the 7.35 that I have. It has the hand grips on the stock like the Short model; but the stock doesn’t extend along the barrel anymore than 8 inches from the rear sight.
Has only one barrel band at the very end of the stock, a piece of wood that looks like it’s blocking the hole for the cleaning rod It just doesn’t look like any submodel I’ve read about. Is there any way you or anyone you may recommend can help me identify this Carcano? Hi guys, I’ve had this rifle stuffed away in the safe for MANY years and would like to find out exactly what it is, caliber, parts availability.
It needs a magazine at least that’s what the hole in the receiver bottom looks like it takes, and there’s a magazine release inside front of trigger guard. 50 1/2″ long.
On top of the octagon looking receiver it has Terni and what looks like a double stamp of the word Ribata. To the side/above of Terni it has 1893. On the other side/below Terni it has OR-D, under that it has 1142, under that it has two small symbols. One is an oval with PG in it. The other is a Crown over some sort of crest I think.
I find nothing anywhere else, no caliber or anything. So, I’d like to identify it, know it’s caliber, if there is a magazine available. I have photos and can send them to whoever can identify it if you’ll give me the email address.
Gonna throw you a curve: I have what, at first glance, appears to be a cavalry model but the overall length is only a fraction over 30″ The barrel is 13.5″ and is smoothbore. The serial # is 941-XIX. The length of the stock, from butt to sling swivel, is 21.5″ and the swing-out bayonet length is 11.5″ The 2-piece screw-together cleaning rod is still in the stock I’ve heard the term “Moschetto Bailla (“Ba- E-La), that was used to train Italian children, but am unsure if that’s what I have. My father in law brought this back from Italy after the war and nobody even knew he had it until his passing 10 years ago. That’s when I got it.
If you want/need the other markings, just ask. It’s in very good condition as nobody messed with it for over 60 years. Sadly, what was left of the leather sling crumbled away and the brass buttons that held it together are gone. Please let me know.
Does ANYONE have an old Weaver Side Mount like the one Lee Harvey Oswald had that was mounted by Klein’s Department Store. I can’t find one anywhere??? It was a 1960s era Weaver Side Mount that Klein’s used to mount his cheap Ordinance Optics 4x Scope (made in Japan). Someone could make a good deal of money by making a reproduction side mount for the Carcano with that big “X” in the steel! The same with the Ordinance Scope! Any help or a lead on running down this mount would be greatly appreciated!!!
My email is Just email me and I’ll send you my cell number so we can talk! Maybe YOU HAVE ONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SELL??? Thanks, Doolittle. I have received from my uncles estate, what i think is a model 91 Calvary carbine. Fixed rear sight, working swing bayonet,.65mm bore with the Serial # of TW2708.(on chamber and butt).
Can I tell the year/place of manufacture from the serial number? There is no stamping of the year # or numerals that I can find. Other markings include a circle with L inside on the safety; a crude 13 (the 1 inverted) on the bolt; Faint symbol on the butt (could be a 17 inside a circle) The butt has a wedged shaped stock repair to the bottom (about 1.5″ x 4.5″) which looks like it was done professionally. There is also an engraved figure ‘Lp. P.’ on the chamber just to the rear of the serial #.
Thanks for any help you can provide. Also any suggestions on where to sell the piece. I am in Canada.