Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. 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 M91 was used in both rifle (fucile) and shorter-barreled carbine (moschetto) form by most Italian troops during the First World War and by Italian and some German forces during the Second World War. The rifle was also used during the Winter War by Finland, and again by regular and irregular forces in Syria, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria during various postwar conflicts in those countries.
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.
This example is maker-marked in an oval with C. GNUTTI, and does not appear to have been arsenal refurbished, as the marking is still crisp. There are no markings on the crossguard, which has some extensive oxidation as shown. The blade has some similar oxidation. The wooden grip scales are in fair shape, but do show significant wear, with some chips and filler used.
The brass-fitted leather scabbard is in similar fair condition, with oxidation taking up most of the original finish. The stitching is intact, and the throat is still tight on the blade. The leather is marked A.R.E.T. 1940. There is a strange handmade “frog” which was likely added later and could be removed.
A nice example of a WWII bayonet, in good condition with loads of history.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 11 3/4”
Blade Style: Single Edge with Fuller
Overall length: 16 1/4”
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard length: 12 3/8"
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