@@williamhenryharrison644 Yeah, not funny or humorous. I lived thru that time period when JFK JR was saluting his Dad at his funeral. No one was laughing.
With Ian talking about how ugly the bayonet is i'm picturing a soldier being stabbed and complaining about how the enemy couldn't have used a nicer looking bayonet.
It sucks as a letteropener, It sucks as a canoperner and It´s no good to have to put the barrel over the fire to roast a chicken. I think all those three things are a lot more common use of a bayonet then stabbing someone.
You'd think with all the attention the Italians give to their uniforms, that they would have hired Armani or somebody to have designed the carbine as well.
Bicycle troops were common in the years prior of WWI. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry. A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
Over the years, I’ve owned all the famous military bolt guns. They all have their pros and cons. I had a carcano carbine like this for a while, and found it to be one of slickest bolt guns ever. The clip loads easily, and the bolt was very smooth and fast. The 6.5 Carcano cartridge was derided back in the day for not being as powerful as the rest,but it actually offers a very good level of power. A semi auto scaled to and chambered for the 6.5 would have been ahead of its time.
I'd say it was a mistake for Italy to switch to 7.35mm, and not just in terms of logistics. They would've been better off just switching to a spitzer bullet for the 6.5mm. Also, they *did* make some semi-auto rifles in 6.5mm Carcano. But none ever got past the prototype stage.
The bolts on two of my three Carcanos are terrible. They can be operated but are a far cry from all the other bolt actions from that era. That being said, it speaks volumes for Italy's industrial capacity in those days. It was among the poorer countries in Europe and this reflects in the quality of their guns. However, they functioned (and killed...) none the less.
@@ultor__ it really depends on condition and manufacturing location. My Cardone is one of the smoothest bolt guns I own whilst my brecias are nothing special.
huckleberry602 I picked a Berreta M91/38 that was a vet bring back. The soldiers Social # is on it in two places. Bought it from the nephew of the vet.
I had one of those on my gun table at a gun show back in the late 80's. A fellow brought it in and traded it for a knife I had on display. It wasn't much of a knife and all my fellow gun dealers laughed at me for even displaying it because it was considered about on the same scale as an old H&R 32 top break revolver. To everyone's surprise a fellow came in to the show and walked straight over to my table, offered me 30 bucks for the rifle. I sold it to him for that and was happy since the knife I had traded for it cost me 2 bucks, one of those crap Pakistan knives. Seems the fellow swore by the Carcano rifles for deer hunting, had lots of clips and ammo, he wanted the short version for his son who was just getting into hunting White Tail Deer.
Speaking of bicycle cavalries, there's a Danish film called "9. April" which is about the German invasion of Denmark in 1940. It follows a group of Danish bicycle soldiers.
Bicycle troops were common in those years. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry. A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
To anybody interested, the old (1700-1945) official Italian names translate as follow: Fucile=rifle/musket Moschetto=carabine Carabina=sniper rifle/DMR
Moved my comment here from the Carcano 1891 video after seeing this one, because I thought the long version, being "older", was the one given to not frontline soldier, in fact I checked my grandfather's war diary (as I should have in the first time) and he says "Moschetto". Older comment: "My grandfather took his Carcano back home after ww2 with a lot of ammunition, together with some machine gun belts and other things (sincerely I don't know what he was thinking to do with them), he proceded to hide everything at home using his carcano to shoot down foxes and marten, unfortunately in the '80s he gifted the rifle to one of his friends... He still kept a big chunck of the bullet (probably another caliber) that I found when I was 8 or so in his hen-house, I thought it was a pirate treasure 'cause they were all shiny like gold coins, after I told my discovery to my father he probably was listening and the day after the box was gone :/ " I know it's a silly thing moving comments on youtube and that nobody really cares about it, but I feel better with the comment under the right video.
I have a 1918cavalry carbine- all matching numbers. My uncle brought it home from WWII. I also have the leather scabbard, which is absolutely beautiful.
One of my ancestors was an Alpini troop from Aosta and most certainly had one of these at some point. I took a chance and ordered one a few weeks ago and to my utter shock I got one from 1910 in damn near pristine condition. Not sure if I’ll be firing it ever, but it really goes well with his medals and Cappello Alpino. Next thing I need is a semi-decent Bodeo to complete the museum exhibit.
The Bersaglieri were the Italian version of the German Jäger or the French Chasseurs a pied. Traditional a light Infantry, armed with rifles and fight as skirmishers, also the Jäger used often cycles for more mobility. When the Italians started to use motorized Infantry, this role goes to the Bersaglieri, still in this days, they are the Armoured Infantry of the Italian Army, still wearing this popular bush of cock feathers on their combat helmets, and also on their hats on parade.
The Bersaglieri are fulfilling the same role as the French Gendarmerie nowadays, no? I remember seeing their barracks in Rome down the road from the presidential palace.
@@LAHFaust no, the Italian counterpart of the Gendarmerie are the Carabinieris. Maybe there is a Battalion of Bersaglieri based in Rome, but they still serve as Armoured Infantry.
I owned one of the model 38 carbines. I had it given to me by a good friend who called it "the boat anchor". I had no use for the bayonet and subsequently removed it and applied some white paint to the sights. It became my bad weather brush gun for deer hunting in the swamps of central Maine. It shot reasonably well with Norma 156 grain ammo. I gave it to my son for his boy to use and He shot several deer with it . It is ugly but functional and the safety is stiff enough that its pretty near impossible to accidently shift into the fire position.
Our local gun store had several on the shelf, so I walked out to the car and sat and watched this, getting super impatient the whole time because I was worried the whole time that someone more knowledgeable about them would walk in and snatch up the coolest one while I was still trying to figure out what all the features meant.
For those who care about details: - Carcano is pronounced "càrcano" with the accent on the first A. - "Bersaglieri" is pronounced with a _gl_ sound you don't have in English, so a good compromise is saying "bersalieri" which actually sounds better than what Ian said in this video. - Moschetto is pronounced "mosketto", like others have pointed out.
It's probably "car-CAH-no" because the stress in Italian words usually goes on the second to last syllable. ("lam-bor-GHI-ni") Good call on simplifying to 'bersalieri', the strange Italian 'GL' to English ears is something halfway between a 'Y' and an 'L'. Or just call them "the ones with the chicken feathers on their helmets". ;P
The under folding bayonet is what makes these rifles cool. I have both a breccia M91/38 with the adjustable sight and a 1936 produced M91 Gardone VT. Both with fantastic bores
As far as I’m concerned nobody disrespects Ian for is language knowledge, but as his German pronunciation got better with time, also his Italian one can, and both me and the other Italians watching are happy to help him.
One weak point on the M91 carbine is the lock bar spring on the adjustible rear site. They are a bit fragile compared to other designs, and if you break yours, good luck finding a replacement. Always check that spring before buying.
In the Netherlands in May 1940 there were I believe still regiments of bicycle troops. I don't know the number of variants of the M95 Mannlicher rifle and carbine that were in use, but there were a lot of them.
I’ve got an m91 carbine, I honestly love the thing. I got it in pretty roughed up condition and basically restored the entire thing, it is honestly my favorite rifle.
A shooting club near me here in Norway has one of these, but they're mixed? lighter coloured stock, button style bayonet mechanism, bolt design of the one that is darker in the video and the non-adjustable sight.
I’ve been very stumped with my rifle I just got it has a small fixed iron sight(it was actually put on backwards) it had no hand guard despite having the configuration for it and several other parts that I’m going to purchase to put it back to 100%
I was waiting for this one. I still have my grandfathers 6.5 that he bought at academy back in the 50's. Wish I could find a new bayo lug and bayonet, my dad took it off when I was a kid, ground the lug off, and have it to me. I could throw that bayonet really well, made a holster for it that attached to my boot. Could stick it all the way thru soft pine 2×4s. But it broke in 2 pieces eventually. Lasted thru many throws believe it or not. I reload for it ocasionally, when I can find .268 bullets because .264 fails royally. Thanks for the great video.
Well to say the Bersaglieri were a bicycle unit is a bit reductive. There were battalions with bicycle of course, but not before 1910 (I can be wrong). The Bersaglieri were the Italian version of the more mobile, modern tactics, flanking units in a period were normal army branches confronted standing in front of each other or in trenches when they were lucky (from early 1840 to wwi)
As someone else pointed out, the bersaglieri had the same origin of the german "Jagers", they were already a corp before the creation of the Italian kingdom and were a regulated version of some paramilitary groups that were born during the wars for the indipendence
My father used it during conscription period in Italy (now ceased) ,belong to his experience ,it was a precise rifle but the recoil was devastating for the shoulder.
@@CrudeConduct666 Cant wait! I once had carcanos but i sold them to a real collector. An infantry rifle, a first model carbine like in the video and a M91/38
I have a 91/38. Ammo is kind of a pain to get. Fairly expensive. But the gun is really easy to handle and shoots well. If it's a good price it's not a bad buy.
Absolutely loving this. I appreciate a lot that you, are doing this videos dedicated to our dear rifle that we had used in two world wars. Just a thing, Moschetto, like Musket, Mosketto, not Moscetto or Moshetto
I have a 1941 Brescia with the more elaborate adjustable rear site (which is consistent with what the manufacturing inconsistencies Ian mentioned, 7:46)...I love it, very distinctive and that bayonet, regardless of the aesthetic considerations, looks very lethal when deployed.
A good friend of mine bought one of these for quite a low price, which is surprising because it's 1918 production and it's in awesome condition. When we took it to the range, I was surprised that after only one clip (6 rounds) the barrel was pretty much impossible to touch, they really do heat up quickly
These remained in use up until the late 70s/early 80s with Carabinieri, Fire Department, Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies. Some '91 were used by Police until the earlu 2000s as CS/Smoke grenade launchers.
Thanks for uploading this excellent vid on these carbine. Nvr knew they existed. Talking about bicycle infantry, there is a fantastic Danish movie titled 9.april on this subject! Lost of interesting firearms were filmed, including a Madsen LMG on a tripod mount! Great movie to watch if you are stuck at home! Cheers!
On collector's market, you may occasionally find some of these with a short tube welded at muzzle. In addition to Carcano, there are other short barreled military carbines with this welded tube. At time if importation in 1950's, minimum rifle barrel length was 18", just like shotguns and this was done to allow importation without SBR problems with ATTU (predecessor to ATF). Law was eventually change so carbines, including M-1, would be legal.
I love these Carbines, they are cool as cool gets, with that sweet folding bayonet, in the 1980s you could but these for $ 80.00, All Italian Rifles were cheap, they flooded the U.S. Markets with these from late 1970s to the end of the 1980s, Century Arms of St. Albans Vermont, imported thousands of these guns, I bought I think about about 15 of these, and would sell them at gun shows, they sold well, I worked at a Surplus Store on Nevada that would buy 300 to 400 surplus guns mostly rifles and carbines, they came in WW2 wooden shipping crates from 1945 and 1946, I had to sort them, clean them, inspect them each one, and then I would test fire lots of them, I loved that job....
My Dad was a tanker in the Italian Army reserve from 1931 on, and then served in WW2 through the Balkan campaign. I have photos of him with this type rifle standing for a group photo with the other members of his unit, minus the tanks. I don’t know if they were issued as a tank weapon the way that US tankers got the “tanker” version of the Garand, or if the photo was basic training. My Dad looked too old for this to have been back in the early 1930’s, he seemed to be the same age he was in other photos posing with his CV33 tankette, which were taken when he was in his early 30’s. On the other hand I would think it would be pretty tough to stow a pair of carbines even this small in something as tiny as a CV33 which was basically little more than a self-propelled machine gun nest.
Thanks for covering this rifle! I've wondered for a long time if I'd ever see it on your channel. A decade or so ago my grandfather gave me an original model 91 that he'd had hanging in his basement workshop for as long as I can remember. Date stamped 1917. Unfortunately mine is missing its bayonet and the rear sling swivel, but it's otherwise in good enough condition to safely fire. Having said that, there are two things that really stand out in my mind about this rifle: 1) It recoils like a bastard. I would rate its pleasantness to shoot as "significantly worse than a 12-gauge shotgun." Considering its surprisingly light weight and the fact that it uses the same 6.5 round as its full-sized cousin that's perhaps not surprising. 2) The fireball it creates upon firing is as ridiculous as it is awesome.
At first I misread the title of this video as a Dr. Seuss rhyme: The Carcano Moschet and its Folding Bayonet. ... I don't know what's wrong with my brain (other than having young children).
Got my hand on one made in 1893, Serial# A8773. Shining bore and all match, with a rod in stock. Fires perfectly with deep strike in primer. Never gonna sell it.
At the beginning of WWI, my understanding was the each regiment of Bersaglieri had three battalions on foot, and a fourth on bicycles. Throughout WWI, this four-to-one ratio looked like it stayed relatively consistent. So, most Bersaglieri were never on bikes, but mostly on foot.
The more I see, hear and read about the Carcanos the more I like them, especially the Moschettos . (I have a sneaking lust for the 91-38. I don't care if others call it ugly.)
Bit of a problem with a comment Ian made. He said prior to WW1 bikes were used most. I’m sure it was an oversight on his part but bikes were actually used in high amounts in WW1. Funnily enough considering the video, the Italians were known for their bike mounted troops which acted as scouts and messengers.
I think it's probably fair to say the troops are bicycle dragoons rather than bicycle cavalry. A dragoon rides a horse to the battlefield and then dismounts to fight, as opposed to the cavalry who fight on horseback.
dragoons are a type of cavalry, historically they fought just as much mounted as dismounted during the period they were actually different to other cavalry we even have a ton of documentation about dragoon units refusing orders to dismount (by 1800 most dragoon units very much disliked fighting dismounted). by the 1890s+ all cavalry operated both mounted and dismounted although most fought almost 100% dismounted. the type of troop you are looking for is mounted infantry, the first dragoons were mounted infantry but they quickly became a type of cavalry.
I think the best course of action that the Italian military could have taken in the 1920s or 1930s would have been to copy the 7.5mm Swiss cartridge and use it on both rifles and medium machine guns. Using different ammo for rifles and machine guns created logistical problems to Italians during the war. And then they could have created an universal 7.5mm short rifle to replace long rifles and carbines to ease manifacture.
@PAOLO GASTALDI Not quite. I don`t think the Italians built any Fiat M1935 or Breda 37 medium machine guns in the 7.35mm cartridge. They only built some 7.35mm versions of Breda M30 light machine guns.
Bicycle troops were common in those years. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry (troops that traveled by horse, but fought without them). A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
They were born as a running unit, they are only two unit of the Italian army that are allowed not to march: Alpini, because they walk on the mountains, and Bersaglieri, because they have to run
I just got one of these, my standard gave it to me for my birthday yesterday on the 7th. It was made in 1931, has no front upper handguard, has the folding sight that actually goes up to 2k meters on it, and is in caliber 6.5 x 52mm. But I'm missing the bayonet and the from nose ring for it. I actually literally finished refurbishing it like 20 mins ago. The last owner had allowed the barrel to rust some. I haven't decided if I want to reblue it or not yet. I'd like to hear some comments on what other people think I should do. The stock is still in near perfect condition.
I had a 6.5mm pattern 3 with the old style sights '38, my dad got it in the 80's as a boar hunting gun. Fun gun to shoot and I always liked the look and handle.
I have a 1935 stamp Brescia Carcano that seems to have a crudely carved out M91/38 handguard for the fold down sight. The wooden parts such as the stock have serial numbers written in pencil inside them
Everybody telling you mispronounced moschetto, they are right, but hey man, video is great nonetheless, thank you Ian ! Just wanted to say u did a great job! Best regards from italy
I have lots of expensive modern rifles . I got one of these for 350 dollars . And it's my favorite gun . I just absolutely love this little rifle . I carry it on my back in a shot gun scarab. Mine is a 1917
The front sight on the 91/38 in the video looks like a modified one from the previous version, and this explains the blade not at hte muzzle. I am inclined to adopt this explanation because you can still see the two holes that were the stops for the lever of the bayonet lock second type.
My Great Grandpa took his when the US was in Italy back in WWII. He still has it and the only thing his doesnt have is the bolt assembly. Not sure if he took it from one of the Italian children training camps or if he took it from a fallen enemy but he passed away several years ago, so sadly I cant ask.
A gun that has very little information on the internet about it is the M1873 Dutch army revolver, i've always thought they looked cool but have never known much about them.
Almost every nation had variants of slings with the "on the bottom" for infantry use, and the "through the stock" for cavalry use, someone should have mentioned to them that it's actually exactly the same to carry it on your shoulder with the sling either way and saved the trouble of making both variants.
Love your videos. Just a heads-up, in Italian the "ch" letter combination is pronounced like the English "k", so it sounds like "mosketto" as like "musket" in English.
Right clarification about pronounce, my friend. Just a question: your image is the "maple leaf" like Canadians but your surname is Friulian, is it just a coincidence?
For the first second or two I seriously thought that was one rifle with the bolt waaaay forward and all sorts of funny scaffolding beneath. “Silly eye-tal-yuns” I thought. Then I realized it’s two rifles, staggered.
Pronunciation: "mosketto" NOT "moshetto"!!! Also, round barrel shank was introduced in 1937, with adjustable rear sight...M38 series continued this change. The "91/38" was for general army use, whilst the 91/37 ( roundbarrel shank, adjustable rear sight) was more for Carabinieri use ( Policing activities) In the meantime, the M91 TS, M91/24 TS, M91/28 TS and M91/38 TS continued in service for Non-Infantry use. These differentiations fell by the wayside once WWII got serious. Doc AV.
this video brought me back in 1967, when at 20, enrolled in the Carabinieri, I was given a 91-38.
@@toki89666 it's not the number of years, it's the brain's use!
This video brought me back to 1963 when I was in the Dallas book depository
@@williamhenryharrison644 Lol. This isn’t the same type of carcano Oswald used tho.
@@williamhenryharrison644 Yeah, not funny or humorous. I lived thru that time period when JFK JR was saluting his Dad at his funeral. No one was laughing.
@@ngzcaz Ok boomer
With Ian talking about how ugly the bayonet is i'm picturing a soldier being stabbed and complaining about how the enemy couldn't have used a nicer looking bayonet.
I think it looks awesome. :( The Carcano carbine is probably my favourite bolt action rifle of all time, aesthetically.
*Greek soldier gets stabbed
"What kind of ugly piece of Skata is this! You call that a bayonet? As to thialo!
It sucks as a letteropener, It sucks as a canoperner and It´s no good to have to put the barrel over the fire to roast a chicken. I think all those three things are a lot more common use of a bayonet then stabbing someone.
@@exploatores No, it give a wound impossible to cure ,so...
You'd think with all the attention the Italians give to their uniforms, that they would have hired Armani or somebody to have designed the carbine as well.
When you want to ride the hills like winged hussars and stab your enemies to death but you only have a bicycle.
Bicycles downhill can be faster than some armored cars
@@andrehashimoto8056 France: Hold my wine.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespa_150_TAP
kantenklaus
Also the Wehrmacht used bicycles...
Bicycle troops were common in the years prior of WWI. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry. A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
@@theultimatederp3288 huh, that really is the ultimate derp
Over the years, I’ve owned all the famous military bolt guns. They all have their pros and cons. I had a carcano carbine like this for a while, and found it to be one of slickest bolt guns ever. The clip loads easily, and the bolt was very smooth and fast. The 6.5 Carcano cartridge was derided back in the day for not being as powerful as the rest,but it actually offers a very good level of power. A semi auto scaled to and chambered for the 6.5 would have been ahead of its time.
I'd say it was a mistake for Italy to switch to 7.35mm, and not just in terms of logistics. They would've been better off just switching to a spitzer bullet for the 6.5mm.
Also, they *did* make some semi-auto rifles in 6.5mm Carcano. But none ever got past the prototype stage.
The bolts on two of my three Carcanos are terrible. They can be operated but are a far cry from all the other bolt actions from that era. That being said, it speaks volumes for Italy's industrial capacity in those days. It was among the poorer countries in Europe and this reflects in the quality of their guns. However, they functioned (and killed...) none the less.
@@ultor__ it really depends on condition and manufacturing location. My Cardone is one of the smoothest bolt guns I own whilst my brecias are nothing special.
Bullet geometry makes a huge difference!
@@RedXlV Everyone is hot on the 6.5 now but the Italians and Swedes had it figured out back in the 1800s.
I have one of the 1938 models that I picked up at a gun show for a steal. It’s a very proud member of my collection.
I also have one of these I got it for 50 bucks at a pawn shop but the bayonet was snapped in half I repaired it though
@@nottheatf5608You got the whole rifle for $50? Was it in fireable condition?
Red Powell kinda a whole rifle but no, the firing pin was broken but I own a forge and replicated one, same with the bayonet
huckleberry602 I picked a Berreta M91/38 that was a vet bring back. The soldiers Social # is on it in two places. Bought it from the nephew of the vet.
Huckleberry602. IM YOUR HUCKLEBERRY
I had one of those on my gun table at a gun show back in the late 80's. A fellow brought it in and traded it for a knife I had on display. It wasn't much of a knife and all my fellow gun dealers laughed at me for even displaying it because it was considered about on the same scale as an old H&R 32 top break revolver. To everyone's surprise a fellow came in to the show and walked straight over to my table, offered me 30 bucks for the rifle. I sold it to him for that and was happy since the knife I had traded for it cost me 2 bucks, one of those crap Pakistan knives. Seems the fellow swore by the Carcano rifles for deer hunting, had lots of clips and ammo, he wanted the short version for his son who was just getting into hunting White Tail Deer.
Speaking of bicycle cavalries, there's a Danish film called "9. April" which is about the German invasion of Denmark in 1940. It follows a group of Danish bicycle soldiers.
Bicycle troops were common in those years. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry. A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
@@neutronalchemist3241 But only on good roads, or on flat terrain. The bicycles of those days are not the ones of today!
I’m glad to see the Carcano getting some love after it being given so much crap over the years
Me when looking at that bayonet “man I could cook so many hotdogs on that”
Me in a trench cooking a rat
Italian sausages*
I bet they did it
@matteograssi5898 the rat or the sausage?
To anybody interested, the old (1700-1945) official Italian names translate as follow:
Fucile=rifle/musket
Moschetto=carabine
Carabina=sniper rifle/DMR
What do you mean by "old"?
@@riccardobassetti5446 pre-NATO
fucile relating to fusil of France, the French fusiliers who would unleash a fusilade with there fusils.
The bayonet was mainly used for cooking sausages over a fire
My guess is that most bayonets have been used more for food preparation than as weapons.
O to skewer rangers in Gela ( Sicilia )
@@briansmithwins maybe use 2 of it to eat Spaghetti japanese Style.
That bayonette gave a "wound impossible to cure", if i recall well.
John Stacy When used with the French Standard issue Baguette, you get one of the earliest forms of hot dog.
Moved my comment here from the Carcano 1891 video after seeing this one, because I thought the long version, being "older", was the one given to not frontline soldier, in fact I checked my grandfather's war diary (as I should have in the first time) and he says "Moschetto".
Older comment:
"My grandfather took his Carcano back home after ww2 with a lot of ammunition, together with some machine gun belts and other things (sincerely I don't know what he was thinking to do with them), he proceded to hide everything at home using his carcano to shoot down foxes and marten, unfortunately in the '80s he gifted the rifle to one of his friends... He still kept a big chunck of the bullet (probably another caliber) that I found when I was 8 or so in his hen-house, I thought it was a pirate treasure 'cause they were all shiny like gold coins, after I told my discovery to my father he probably was listening and the day after the box was gone :/
"
I know it's a silly thing moving comments on youtube and that nobody really cares about it, but I feel better with the comment under the right video.
Riccardo Stognone Silly ? Not at all, they are only childhood memories. You said « pirate treasure ». You saw it with your child eyes.
@@methodeetrigueur1164 Thanks man! Even though the silliness was more for the thing of moving comments around youtube
Riccardo Stognone You are welcome. Keep your child vision !!!
I enjoyed reading it! Thank you for the story
Thank you Ian for making all these videos about carcano's rifle series
I have a 1918cavalry carbine- all matching numbers. My uncle brought it home from WWII. I also have the leather scabbard, which is absolutely beautiful.
One of my ancestors was an Alpini troop from Aosta and most certainly had one of these at some point. I took a chance and ordered one a few weeks ago and to my utter shock I got one from 1910 in damn near pristine condition. Not sure if I’ll be firing it ever, but it really goes well with his medals and Cappello Alpino. Next thing I need is a semi-decent Bodeo to complete the museum exhibit.
The Bersaglieri were the Italian version of the German Jäger or the French Chasseurs a pied.
Traditional a light Infantry, armed with rifles and fight as skirmishers, also the Jäger used often cycles for more mobility.
When the Italians started to use motorized Infantry, this role goes to the Bersaglieri, still in this days, they are the Armoured Infantry of the Italian Army, still wearing this popular bush of cock feathers on their combat helmets, and also on their hats on parade.
I love the look of their feathers on their helmets. especially if its combined with a pair of goggles.
The Bersaglieri are fulfilling the same role as the French Gendarmerie nowadays, no? I remember seeing their barracks in Rome down the road from the presidential palace.
@@LAHFaust no, the Italian counterpart of the Gendarmerie are the Carabinieris.
Maybe there is a Battalion of Bersaglieri based in Rome, but they still serve as Armoured Infantry.
I'm mean. I called them "Burleygirls" in wargaming adventures. No slur intended.
@@Fuma._. The Carabinieri, that was them! The specific building I was thinking of was the Reggimento Corazzieri on Via Venti Settembre.
Nothing more embarrassing than letting the enemy see you walking around with a flacid bayonet flapping in the breeze.
A bent, rusty and flaccid bayonet with misaligned lugs even worse.
I owned one of the model 38 carbines. I had it given to me by a good friend who called it "the boat anchor". I had no use for the bayonet and subsequently removed it and applied some white paint to the sights. It became my bad weather brush gun for deer hunting in the swamps of central Maine. It shot reasonably well with Norma 156 grain ammo. I gave it to my son for his boy to use and He shot several deer with it . It is ugly but functional and the safety is stiff enough that its pretty near impossible to accidently shift into the fire position.
Our local gun store had several on the shelf, so I walked out to the car and sat and watched this, getting super impatient the whole time because I was worried the whole time that someone more knowledgeable about them would walk in and snatch up the coolest one while I was still trying to figure out what all the features meant.
For those who care about details:
- Carcano is pronounced "càrcano" with the accent on the first A.
- "Bersaglieri" is pronounced with a _gl_ sound you don't have in English, so a good compromise is saying "bersalieri" which actually sounds better than what Ian said in this video.
- Moschetto is pronounced "mosketto", like others have pointed out.
Who asked
I appreciated.
Grazie.
I think they have the sound, it could be wrote bersajieri or bersajeri
It's probably "car-CAH-no" because the stress in Italian words usually goes on the second to last syllable. ("lam-bor-GHI-ni") Good call on simplifying to 'bersalieri', the strange Italian 'GL' to English ears is something halfway between a 'Y' and an 'L'. Or just call them "the ones with the chicken feathers on their helmets". ;P
My dad has a 38 with the old style rear sight. He’s had it for 30 years and it’s one of my favorites...
And I think the bayonet looks awesome.
The under folding bayonet is what makes these rifles cool. I have both a breccia M91/38 with the adjustable sight and a 1936 produced M91 Gardone VT. Both with fantastic bores
Guys, give Ian a break. His knowledge is firearms not the languages of the world.
No, he is not a language expert, but he is an intelligent and curious fella who I'm sure won't mind learning something new.
As far as I’m concerned nobody disrespects Ian for is language knowledge, but as his German pronunciation got better with time, also his Italian one can, and both me and the other Italians watching are happy to help him.
Don’t worry, I speak German, French and Italian and I get only mortally offended when he butchers German 😂 no he is doing a good job.
I usually hate pronunciation-nazis. But this time it changes the meaning of the word in quite a ridicolous way.
@@stevailo in this case the correction is almost mandatory on "moschetto"
One weak point on the M91 carbine is the lock bar spring on the adjustible rear site. They are a bit fragile compared to other designs, and if you break yours, good luck finding a replacement. Always check that spring before buying.
Europe: Bicycles will be obsolete by WWI.
Viet Cong: Hold my beer...
The Japanese also got a fair bit of use out of them in Malaya
Finnish army still uses them! Very good transportation
That’s really not true bicycles were used a lot during WW2.
A German infantry division had about 500 bicycles for its reconnaissance units.
@@1BigBen : The german Bundeswehr still has a transport company with Mules and Haflinger horses for the mountain troops.
In the Netherlands in May 1940 there were I believe still regiments of bicycle troops. I don't know the number of variants of the M95 Mannlicher rifle and carbine that were in use, but there were a lot of them.
I’ve got an m91 carbine, I honestly love the thing. I got it in pretty roughed up condition and basically restored the entire thing, it is honestly my favorite rifle.
A shooting club near me here in Norway has one of these, but they're mixed? lighter coloured stock, button style bayonet mechanism, bolt design of the one that is darker in the video and the non-adjustable sight.
They probably used parts of various model to replace the damaged ones. It's not uncommon.
Not necessarily. Towards 1943 factories were often using spares from different suppliers so it is not surprising to see a mix of components.
I’ve been very stumped with my rifle I just got it has a small fixed iron sight(it was actually put on backwards) it had no hand guard despite having the configuration for it and several other parts that I’m going to purchase to put it back to 100%
@@knova7597 sounds like you have a 91/38 with the fixed sight.
I was waiting for this one. I still have my grandfathers 6.5 that he bought at academy back in the 50's. Wish I could find a new bayo lug and bayonet, my dad took it off when I was a kid, ground the lug off, and have it to me. I could throw that bayonet really well, made a holster for it that attached to my boot. Could stick it all the way thru soft pine 2×4s. But it broke in 2 pieces eventually. Lasted thru many throws believe it or not. I reload for it ocasionally, when I can find .268 bullets because .264 fails royally. Thanks for the great video.
I'm trying to picture someone on a bicycle wielding a carbine with the bayonet deployed....
That war not part of the standard doctrine.
rockets4kids You mean bayonet flopping around?
Dont forget the bicyle with mounted mg....
Bicycle bayonet duels !
@@peterthepeter7523 would the British hold the Lance on the other side?
Well to say the Bersaglieri were a bicycle unit is a bit reductive. There were battalions with bicycle of course, but not before 1910 (I can be wrong). The Bersaglieri were the Italian version of the more mobile, modern tactics, flanking units in a period were normal army branches confronted standing in front of each other or in trenches when they were lucky (from early 1840 to wwi)
They are called "bersaglieri" because they were trained in sharpshooting, bersaglieri is from "bersaglio" which means "target".
As someone else pointed out, the bersaglieri had the same origin of the german "Jagers", they were already a corp before the creation of the Italian kingdom and were a regulated version of some paramilitary groups that were born during the wars for the indipendence
My father used it during conscription period in Italy (now ceased) ,belong to his experience ,it was a precise rifle but the recoil was devastating for the shoulder.
I literally just picked up one of these at the local gun show. It finished out my "Major Powers of WW2" collection.
Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in!
There's one of these in a local gun store, if it's still there next week I think I just might have to pick it up
Do it.
@@F4Wildcat damn, well now I feel obligated xD if I do I'll post a video and update this comment
@@CrudeConduct666 Cant wait! I once had carcanos but i sold them to a real collector. An infantry rifle, a first model carbine like in the video and a M91/38
I have a 91/38. Ammo is kind of a pain to get. Fairly expensive. But the gun is really easy to handle and shoots well. If it's a good price it's not a bad buy.
I just recently bought a M91/38 Carcano from 1942 and it looks lovely. Definitely going to shoot it as soon as I get the ammo for it
Great video and great series on the Carcano.
Just a quick note to clarify that the Italian word ‘Moschetto’ is pronounced with a K sound, Mosketto.
Absolutely loving this. I appreciate a lot that you, are doing this videos dedicated to our dear rifle that we had used in two world wars. Just a thing, Moschetto, like Musket, Mosketto, not Moscetto or Moshetto
I have a 1941 Brescia with the more elaborate adjustable rear site (which is consistent with what the manufacturing inconsistencies Ian mentioned, 7:46)...I love it, very distinctive and that bayonet, regardless of the aesthetic considerations, looks very lethal when deployed.
A good friend of mine bought one of these for quite a low price, which is surprising because it's 1918 production and it's in awesome condition. When we took it to the range, I was surprised that after only one clip (6 rounds) the barrel was pretty much impossible to touch, they really do heat up quickly
These remained in use up until the late 70s/early 80s with Carabinieri, Fire Department, Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies. Some '91 were used by Police until the earlu 2000s as CS/Smoke grenade launchers.
Thanks for uploading this excellent vid on these carbine. Nvr knew they existed. Talking about bicycle infantry, there is a fantastic Danish movie titled 9.april on this subject! Lost of interesting firearms were filmed, including a Madsen LMG on a tripod mount! Great movie to watch if you are stuck at home! Cheers!
On collector's market, you may occasionally find some of these with a short tube welded at muzzle. In addition to Carcano, there are other short barreled military carbines with this welded tube. At time if importation in 1950's, minimum rifle barrel length was 18", just like shotguns and this was done to allow importation without SBR problems with ATTU (predecessor to ATF). Law was eventually change so carbines, including M-1, would be legal.
This was the first surplus rifle in my collection... excellant pig n deer rifle, even with the bayonet attached!
I love these Carbines, they are cool as cool gets, with that sweet folding bayonet, in the 1980s you could but these for $ 80.00, All Italian Rifles were cheap, they flooded the U.S. Markets with these from late 1970s to the end of the 1980s, Century Arms of St. Albans Vermont, imported thousands of these guns, I bought I think about about 15 of these, and would sell them at gun shows, they sold well, I worked at a Surplus Store on Nevada that would buy 300 to 400 surplus guns mostly rifles and carbines, they came in WW2 wooden shipping crates from 1945 and 1946, I had to sort them, clean them, inspect them each one, and then I would test fire lots of them, I loved that job....
My Dad was a tanker in the Italian Army reserve from 1931 on, and then served in WW2 through the Balkan campaign. I have photos of him with this type rifle standing for a group photo with the other members of his unit, minus the tanks. I don’t know if they were issued as a tank weapon the way that US tankers got the “tanker” version of the Garand, or if the photo was basic training. My Dad looked too old for this to have been back in the early 1930’s, he seemed to be the same age he was in other photos posing with his CV33 tankette, which were taken when he was in his early 30’s. On the other hand I would think it would be pretty tough to stow a pair of carbines even this small in something as tiny as a CV33 which was basically little more than a self-propelled machine gun nest.
Thanks for covering this rifle! I've wondered for a long time if I'd ever see it on your channel. A decade or so ago my grandfather gave me an original model 91 that he'd had hanging in his basement workshop for as long as I can remember. Date stamped 1917. Unfortunately mine is missing its bayonet and the rear sling swivel, but it's otherwise in good enough condition to safely fire.
Having said that, there are two things that really stand out in my mind about this rifle:
1) It recoils like a bastard. I would rate its pleasantness to shoot as "significantly worse than a 12-gauge shotgun." Considering its surprisingly light weight and the fact that it uses the same 6.5 round as its full-sized cousin that's perhaps not surprising.
2) The fireball it creates upon firing is as ridiculous as it is awesome.
At first I misread the title of this video as a Dr. Seuss rhyme: The Carcano Moschet and its Folding Bayonet.
...
I don't know what's wrong with my brain (other than having young children).
Got my hand on one made in 1893, Serial# A8773. Shining bore and all match, with a rod in stock. Fires perfectly with deep strike in primer. Never gonna sell it.
My favourite carbine is the mosin nagant m41/44 I forget which one it is. But it's solely because of its folding bayonet on the side
M44.
Would rather have a type 44 Arisaka over the M44 Mosin.
Ian butchers Moschetto so beautifully
Thank you , Ian.
At the beginning of WWI, my understanding was the each regiment of Bersaglieri had three battalions on foot, and a fourth on bicycles. Throughout WWI, this four-to-one ratio looked like it stayed relatively consistent. So, most Bersaglieri were never on bikes, but mostly on foot.
The more I see, hear and read about the Carcanos the more I like them, especially the Moschettos . (I have a sneaking lust for the 91-38. I don't care if others call it ugly.)
Ian: "Think of them as Bicycle Cavalry."
Me: "Wait, when did Ian start working for Monty Python?"
Those are SO cool. Baby rifles with nifty tiny bayonets:)
Bit of a problem with a comment Ian made. He said prior to WW1 bikes were used most. I’m sure it was an oversight on his part but bikes were actually used in high amounts in WW1. Funnily enough considering the video, the Italians were known for their bike mounted troops which acted as scouts and messengers.
I think it's probably fair to say the troops are bicycle dragoons rather than bicycle cavalry. A dragoon rides a horse to the battlefield and then dismounts to fight, as opposed to the cavalry who fight on horseback.
dragoons are a type of cavalry, historically they fought just as much mounted as dismounted during the period they were actually different to other cavalry we even have a ton of documentation about dragoon units refusing orders to dismount (by 1800 most dragoon units very much disliked fighting dismounted). by the 1890s+ all cavalry operated both mounted and dismounted although most fought almost 100% dismounted.
the type of troop you are looking for is mounted infantry, the first dragoons were mounted infantry but they quickly became a type of cavalry.
@@matthiuskoenig3378 thank you, that's interesting information.
Pedantic but correct. The Bersaglieri are light infantry; nowadays mostly mecanized.
I love moschetto. Tastes great with chicken Alfredo.
Moschetto with proschetto
@Leviathan TM I named it "future big bill coil" actually
Everything in italian sounds like a dish
@@appalachianexploration5714 prosciutto idiot
but who is Alfredo? but who knows him?
I think the best course of action that the Italian military could have taken in the 1920s or 1930s would have been to copy the 7.5mm Swiss cartridge and use it on both rifles and medium machine guns. Using different ammo for rifles and machine guns created logistical problems to Italians during the war. And then they could have created an universal 7.5mm short rifle to replace long rifles and carbines to ease manifacture.
7.5x55 is a lot more hig pressure from 6.5x52, and more stll from 7.35
@PAOLO GASTALDI Not quite. I don`t think the Italians built any Fiat M1935 or Breda 37 medium machine guns in the 7.35mm cartridge. They only built some 7.35mm versions of Breda M30 light machine guns.
The best looking Carcano is the TS in my opinion
I have one of these. Grandfather found it on a beach during WW2.
Now I can't get the image of bicycle mounted cavalry charging into battle out of my head.
Bicycle troops were common in those years. They obviously didn't replace cavalry, but mounted infantry (troops that traveled by horse, but fought without them). A man on a bicycle can travel longer distances in shorter time than one on a horse actually.
They were born as a running unit, they are only two unit of the Italian army that are allowed not to march: Alpini, because they walk on the mountains, and Bersaglieri, because they have to run
Mine's a 91/40 or 91/41, when they went back to the original sights. So, it has the rounded barrel shank, old sights, and year 1941 on it.
A moment of silence for all the bolt guns that get the khyber pass treatment especially the rare guns
This video brought me back to 1891.
I just got one yesterday...thanks for the info
Good morning, everyone! Time for Forgotten Carcanos!
It's mosketto. "Moshetto" is used to refer to someone who suffers from erectile disfunction...
You penis is a bit...
Ehhhh...
Moscietto
Ze bayonet, is not-a coming up-a!
I just got one of these, my standard gave it to me for my birthday yesterday on the 7th. It was made in 1931, has no front upper handguard, has the folding sight that actually goes up to 2k meters on it, and is in caliber 6.5 x 52mm. But I'm missing the bayonet and the from nose ring for it. I actually literally finished refurbishing it like 20 mins ago. The last owner had allowed the barrel to rust some. I haven't decided if I want to reblue it or not yet. I'd like to hear some comments on what other people think I should do. The stock is still in near perfect condition.
I had a 6.5mm pattern 3 with the old style sights '38, my dad got it in the 80's as a boar hunting gun. Fun gun to shoot and I always liked the look and handle.
I have a 1935 stamp Brescia Carcano that seems to have a crudely carved out M91/38 handguard for the fold down sight. The wooden parts such as the stock have serial numbers written in pencil inside them
In WW2 the Japanese used bicycles to great effect in the invasion of Malaya hastening the fall of Singapore.
Ian only got this so he could attack the Isonzo River for the 163rd Battle of the Isonzo next month.
Arizona is dry because its residents attack bodies of water? Interesting if true.
@@Ni999 During the first world war we fought 12 different battles of the Isonzo. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_the_Isonzo
Rifles at dawn between Ian and Mae methinks.
Fun Fact: Moschetto means "Musket" (and infact Sche is said like an sk so moSKetto)
@kantenklaus What?
Everybody telling you mispronounced moschetto, they are right, but hey man, video is great nonetheless, thank you Ian ! Just wanted to say u did a great job! Best regards from italy
I have lots of expensive modern rifles . I got one of these for 350 dollars . And it's my favorite gun . I just absolutely love this little rifle . I carry it on my back in a shot gun scarab. Mine is a 1917
Are we going to see an Italian rifles book, next?
It'd make an excellent counterbalance of the volume about French Chassepots that Ian did publish recently!
There is already a great book covering them.
The front sight on the 91/38 in the video looks like a modified one from the previous version, and this explains the blade not at hte muzzle.
I am inclined to adopt this explanation because you can still see the two holes that were the stops for the lever of the bayonet lock second type.
My Great Grandpa took his when the US was in Italy back in WWII. He still has it and the only thing his doesnt have is the bolt assembly. Not sure if he took it from one of the Italian children training camps or if he took it from a fallen enemy but he passed away several years ago, so sadly I cant ask.
A gun that has very little information on the internet about it is the M1873 Dutch army revolver, i've always thought they looked cool but have never known much about them.
Yay a cool new gun too look at for my birthday
Happy birthday!
I recently bought one of them, 1903 is the year. Oldest gun I own
Soldier: This is not a carbine. It is a full length rifle
Instructor: folds down bayonet
Soldier: Still not a carbine. Now it's a pistol
Almost every nation had variants of slings with the "on the bottom" for infantry use, and the "through the stock" for cavalry use, someone should have mentioned to them that it's actually exactly the same to carry it on your shoulder with the sling either way and saved the trouble of making both variants.
I think the idea is if it's hanging off the bottom it can get snagged easily
Love your videos. Just a heads-up, in Italian the "ch" letter combination is pronounced like the English "k", so it sounds like "mosketto" as like "musket" in English.
Right clarification about pronounce, my friend. Just a question: your image is the "maple leaf" like Canadians but your surname is Friulian, is it just a coincidence?
@@andreabeltramini5207 Ciao Andrea. No coincidence, I am originally a Friulano from Udine now in Canada for over thirty years.
@@piero1962 Se e je cusì, ti mandi un salû de nesrte tiere in Marilenghe. Un mandi a ducj i furlans sparniçâs pal mont!
Italian gunmaker: To improve efficiency in production, I saw the Carcano in half
This is one of the rare times where you pronounce a word wrong, Moschetto is read as Mossketto
Amazing video, as always
Man what a cool piece of history for a decent price!
Love these ...need to find one
Great video lesson. Thank you sir.
Recently got one made in 1936, man ammo has been a pain to get
Please Ian, is pronounced mosket-to, “ch” in Italian is a hard sound. Like bruschetta, pronounced brusket-ta. Amazing video for the rest as always!
Astro Colter wow you really got the point about the correct pronunciation of a term in a specific context, well done
For the first second or two I seriously thought that was one rifle with the bolt waaaay forward and all sorts of funny scaffolding beneath. “Silly eye-tal-yuns” I thought.
Then I realized it’s two rifles, staggered.
Italian weapons are very underrated.
i think the first bayonet latch was by far the best. the others just add complication and more time to open/close
my uncle brought one sort of like this home from WWII BUT it was a kids single shot .22lr training rifle it was too too cool
Pronunciation: "mosketto" NOT "moshetto"!!!
Also, round barrel shank was introduced in 1937, with adjustable rear sight...M38 series continued this change.
The "91/38" was for general army use, whilst the 91/37 ( roundbarrel shank, adjustable rear sight) was more for Carabinieri use ( Policing activities)
In the meantime, the M91 TS, M91/24 TS, M91/28 TS and M91/38 TS continued in service for Non-Infantry use.
These differentiations fell by the wayside once WWII got serious.
Doc AV.
I had a chance to get one of these for under a 100 dollars at a auction. Somewhat regretted ever sense.
This is the story all about how
Mussolini got flipped-turned-upside down