Original Items: Only Ones Available. This is a lot of three WWII Italian Carcano-Mannlicher Rifle Bayonets. The three bayonets represent the three major varieties used by the Italian Armed Forces during WWII. “Carcano” is the frequently used name for a series of Italian bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating military rifles and carbines. Introduced in 1891, this rifle was chambered for the rimless 6.5×52mm Carcano cartridge (Cartuccia Modello 1895). It was developed by the chief technician Salvatore Carcano at the Turin Army Arsenal in 1890 and called the Modello (model) 91 or simply M91. Successively replacing the previous Vetterli-Vitali rifles and carbines in 10.35×47mmR, it was produced from 1892 to 1945

The lot consists of the following:

- M-1891 Carcano Long Model Bayonet: This is a Knife bayonet for use on the 6.5 mm M1891 Mannlicher-Carcano rifles, and most M1891 carbines. This bayonet will not mount to the M1891 Cavalry Carbine (Moschetto da Cavalleria), 2nd model M1891 TS Carbine (Moschetto per Truppe Speciali), or the M1938 Short Rifle (Fucile Corto). Those models had bayonets made specifically for them.

These bayonets had nearly a 50 year service life, and this example certainly looks it. The scabbard on this example is leather with brass fittings, though they also came with steel fittings, and could be entirely made of ribbed or smooth steel. The blade on this example is excellent, showing no signs of post-factory sharpening and exhibiting rich original finish on the blade. The locking mechanism works perfectly.

- M1938 Carcano folding bayonet, complete with the rare steel scabbard: This unique folding knife bayonet for use on the Mannlicher-Carcano M1938 Short Rifle (fucile corto). Officially named the Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 1938 ("infantry rifle" Model 1938), it was adopted in 1938 in 7.35×51mm caliber, and had fixed sights, a detachable folding knife bayonet, and 20.9 inch barrel. These rifles were produced in both 6.5 mm. and 7.35 mm. This example is the push-button folding model, where the blade folds into handle like a pocket knife. This was done because the bayonet was intended to remain fixed to the rifle during regular use. When the bayonet was not needed, it would fold into a slot in the nose of the stock. This did not work well in practice, so the folding feature was discontinued and a steel scabbard provided. Many of the folding bayonets were converted to fixed-blade versions. This particular example is complete and has not been modified, so it still folds up correctly.

Overall condition is very good, with a functional push button and nice wood grips. It has been sharpened, but no enough to alter the blade shape, and is still quite sharp. Cleaning has however removed much of the finish from the blade. The scabbard is in good shape, with a good amount of original finish. The blade still folds, not perfectly, but it does. It appears that the screw mounting the blade pivot mechanism is a field replacement, The locking mechanism to mount the bayonet on the rifle’s bayonet lug works perfectly.

- M1938 Mannlicher Carcano Fixed Blade Bayonet: This is a nice example of a WWII Italian M1938 Carcano bayonet. These bayonets were made for use on the Mannlicher-Carcano M1938 Short Rifle (fucile corto). As originally designed, the bayonet blade folds into the handle like a pocket knife. This was done because the bayonet was intended to remain fixed to the rifle. This did not work well in practice, so the folding feature was discontinued and a steel scabbard provided. Some bayonets were retrofitted with a new crossguard, and had the locking mechanism removed, such as this one had.