It would help to understand the foreign marking system on military
weapons
The Italian arms manufacturers used the same consecutive marking
system that the Germans used for identification, serial numbers,
manufacturing plant, etc. It began with a three digit serial
number,
progressed through the thousand numbers. Example: 000-9999, then began
a prefix system. Example: A 111- A 9999. This progressed through the
alphabet - A-Z and AA-ZZ, etc.This system can be better understood by
looking at the serial numbers on the 100 rifles delivered to Klein's
in Feb. 1963.
See Warren - Waldman exhibit #4. It is almost certain, since there
were hundreds of rifles with the same serial numbers however, the
prefix would be different. 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. Exhibit D 156
was furnished by the owner of Century Arms on March 11, 1964 to the
FBI:
THE ORIGINAL LIST of serial numbers of 700 Carcano Italian carbines
received by Century Arms, Inc. from Empire: Serial number 2766 appears
on last page of numbers (Exhibit D 103) See COMM. Exhibit No. 2562 #
13 Warren Report. It is almost impossible that two Carcanos would have
identical serial numbers unless someone altered them. (which I suspect
was done in Dallas to frame LHO)
Sylvia Meagher dealt with the 2766 serial number, but at the time,
didn't understand the numbering system or the Canada connection.
By the way, all serial numbers were not on the barrel. Some were on
the receiver, and even on the stock, some on more than one place. John
in Arlington, VA has four Carcanos and two serial
numbers are on the receiver, two on the barrel.
There is so much to be explained about how and where the Carcanos
were made that it could never be done on this forum. Guns marked Terni
may not have been made there. They could have been made in a small
plant elsewhere and called the Terni rifle. Some parts were made in
small plants and assembled at Terni, thus the Terni name.
Because the guns looked alike, (the 7.35 mm and the 6.5 mm ) the
manufacturers stamped 7.35 on the stock so the Italian troops knew
what ammo to use.
I suggest the purchase of two books. Anyone interested in the rifle
should get these books. There are hundreds of ads and they can be
seen in the book, THE MARKETING OF A WEAPON. The book was produced by
Gary Nivaggi, in Dec. 1994. In the late 50's and early 60's, many
varieties, styles and calibers of the MC rifles were offered at low
prices.
The book contains questions regarding the MC, various ammo loads for
it, its clip, and other great information about the stopping and
'knockdown' capabilities of firearm projectiles. All from the pages of
American Rifleman.
Many questions being asked on the posts will all be answered if you
own THE MARKETING OF A WEAPON.
Another book that will provide valuable information that comes from a
real expert on the Carcano: Richard Hobbs, 3958 Cambridge Rd. # 162,
Cameron Park, CA 95682.
Last E-mail I had was
fuc..@innercite.com. Hobbs is a collector of Carcanos since 1945 and
may know more about the weapon than anyone in this country.
His book: THE CARCANO Italy's Military Rifle. (Was about $18.00) He
is not a JFK 'BUFF.'- but he sure knows that weapon.
If you own these two books, you will hardly ever have a serious
question about the Carcano again.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Carcano Potpourri !!!!!!!
Adam Consolidated (CRESCENT FIREARMS) :
'Three American firms entered the competition for the 91s that the
Italian Defense Ministry was selling. Adam Consolidated, in
conjunction with the Feldsott brothers, won the bidding with a total
offer of $ 1,776,OOO for the approximately 570,000 guns.'
'.. Some 5300 kilos (approx. 1200 Pounds) of parts were included
in the contract price. Adam also purchased 2,608,704 rounds of
ammunition, which were picked up and paid for as items sepatate from
the surplus weapons, on three occasions.'
Aug. 8, 1960 ..........653,176 cartridges 6.5 mm
July 31, 1961.......... 1,304,352 same
June 6, 1962 ........... 652,176 same
The price was $13.57 per thousand, or somewhat more than a penny per
bullet. '
From: THE GUN - Henry S. Bloomgarden
Apparently, thousands of these Italian rifles were sold in the US
before Cresent won the above bid. Klein's was selling the 7.35 mm as
early as the spring of 1958
In this ad of 4-58, the MANNLICHER HIGH POWER RIFLE sold for $12.95 -
Good outside, very good inside. A very good outside: Excellent inside
sold for $14.95 and an Excellent inside and outside cost $16.95. For
98 cents, a leather sling was available and a cleaning rod cost 79
cents. Military ammo in clips of six-12 for 98 cents- 48 for $2.98.
The following month - the same ad, but the sling and rod were included
free.
From 7- 58 until 10 - 60, Klein's did not advertise any MCs. Then,
in 10 - 60 appeared their ad for the CUSTOM SPORTERIZED MODEL for
$19.88.
In 3-62 the 6.5 mm was advertised for $11.88. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN .
In 1958, Congressman Morano was pleading : 'Let's find out where
some of these Carcano rifles have gone.'
Macy's and Sears Roebuck, as well as sporting supply stores,
discount stores and Army-and-Navy-surplus stores sold the weapon and
the ammo.
Some of these guns came from Finland:
'During the first winter of the war with Russia, Findland procured
from Sweden approximately 15,000 Swedish 6.5 mm M 96 Mausers and 6.5
mm ammunition which Findland decided to manufacture for these weapons
during WW II. Findland received, in addition, a supply of Italian M38,
7.35 mm carbines via Germany during WW II. Both weapons saw limited
service as they were relegated to use by the stationary troops, such
as guards on bridges, airfields, railways, waterworks, etc. Today, the
greater portion of the M 38 carbines Findland received can be traced
to the U.S. market as surplus war goods.'
FROM- BOOK OF RIFLES
Terni Carcano Serial Numbers
Serial Number is RA XXXXX and on the top of the breech is PNA-R. Other than that, there are no markings visible except the same Serial Number stamped in the butt stock side. There they put it as A. Over the serial number. Any idea who made it or when. 6.52 Carcano round fits it. The stamp of the royal crown and 'Terni' identifies this manufacturing site. Its serial number identified it as the single weapon of its type made with that number. The so-called Model 91 bolt-action rifle had been introduced in 1891 by Salvatore Carcano for the Turin Army Arsenal. Description: Very clean Carcano made by TERNI. For the 7.35 mm cartridge. Wood is very clean without the cut-out for the sling. Serial number on the stock not the same as the frame.And stock has added finish to it, very clean. Top of receiver marked: TERNI 1939 XVII Sn D 6079.Has a SA in a rectangular box on the left side of the receiver. Rifle (Carcano) (Klein ad) p. 3 From FBI report tracing origin and sale of 02766 to Klein's: Original List of Serial Numbers of 700 Carcano Italian Carbines Read More REASONS WHY I BELIEVE THE. 50 of his book,Kennedy and Lincoln, the late Dr. Lattimer said the following. KLEIN'S SPORTING GOODS BOUGHT MORE THAN ONE 6.
M91 - manufactured by one company: 6.5mm Photo
Brescia; 1898 to 1919
M91/24 - 6.5mm long adjustable rear sight from rifle. Photo
M91/28 - manufactured by six companies: 6.5mm Photo
Beretta;
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
Pietro Lorenzotti;
Metallurgica Bresciana;
R.E.Terni;
M91/28 Tromboncino Launcia Bombe Photos(new)
M38 - manufactured by two companies: 7.35mm Photo
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
M38S - manufactured by two companies: 7.92mm Photo
Brescia, R.E.Terni
M91/38 - manufactured by two companies: 6.5mm Photo
Beretta;
Brescia;
Moschetto per Cavalleria
M91 - manufactured by three companies: 6.5mm
Brescia; 1894 to 1936
Gardone Val Trompia; 1935 to 1937
R.E.Terni; 1928 to 1937
M38 - manufactured by four companies: 7.35mm
Beretta; 1939
Brescia; 1938
Gardone Val Trompia; 1939
R.E. Terni; 1938 to 1939
M38S - manufactured by two companies: 7.92mm Photo
Brescia; 1939 to 1941, R.E.Terni
M91/38 - manufactured by three companies: 6.5mm Photo
Beretta; 1940 thru 1943, fixed sight
Gardone Val Trompia; 1940 to 1945, fixed sight, after 43 this gun had no markings other than serial number
Brescia manufactured a carbine during this period but it remained in the 91 configuration with adjustable sight. 1940 thru 1943
While the above are all of the guns called Carbines, the Fucile Corto is within the 21' barrel length to classify it as a carbine, so I am going to add it also.
Fucile Corto
M38- manufactured by four companys: 7.35mm
Beretta;
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
R.E. Terni;
M38-manufactured by four companys: 6.5mm
Beretta;
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
R.E. Terni;
M38-8mm conversion done by Heinrich Krieghoff at plant 12
Receiver marked HK
Cleaning kit for all versions
Accessories
Reference books:
The Carcano Italy's Rifle -- by Richard Hobbs
Web Reference:
The Carcano Home Page
Great web page for the Carcano enthusiast
Insignia for the RSI Black Brigade
Photos like the one below of Italian Troops
Technics kn 1000 keyboard manual. Italian forces in N. African Desert
The Carcano and Israel
by Dan Reynolds
Prior to the British withdrawal from Palestine in 1948 Jewish agents were combing Europe for rifles. They were buying anything they could find. A deal was struck for 8mm Carcano carbines and they were stored on an airfield in central Italy which had recently been used by the RAF. This was a relay point for contraband being smuggled by air from Europe. In May of 1948 Israel declared its Independence and and was immediately invaded by the Arab Nations. By July a major arms deal was struck with Czechoslovakia for rifles, machine guns, ammunition, pistols, smgs, and aircraft. Nightly illegal flights from Bratislava in Slovakia in a Dakota (C-47) twin engine aircraft with phony RAF markings and radio call signs were refueling at the Italian air field before flying on to deliver the 98K type 8mm Mausers to Israel. Arab agents were at this time seeking to buy rifles for their forces and were duped into buying the Carcano's from the Israeli agents as Israel no longer needed them. Some or many of them were tampered with so that they could not be of use once it was discovered that they would blow up. I also found out that the Brescia guns were never fully developed thus causing many failures. 10,000 were assembled to fulfill a contract even though they would not function correctly. Some of the 8mm were kept by the Israeli military and are marked with the Star of David, others bare Arabic writing but I do not know from which country as Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Iraq were all involved.
Terni Carcano Rifle Serial Numbers
Other Items of Interest
The British shipped a large number of captured Italian small arms to the Dutch in East Indies after 7 Dec.'41 as aid because they could not spare rifles or MG's of their own. A huge number of Italian small arms were floating around North Africa and Middle East that Arabs and Turags took from Italians or picked up from desert as they collapsed. These were smuggled south in Kenya and northeast into Arabia, Trans-Jordan, Palestine and beyond in the late forties as well as being used in Algeria, Morrocco and Tunisa by anti French movements up into '50's.
Carcano Identification
M38S - manufactured by two companies: 7.92mm Photo
Brescia; 1939 to 1941, R.E.Terni
M91/38 - manufactured by three companies: 6.5mm Photo
Beretta; 1940 thru 1943, fixed sight
Gardone Val Trompia; 1940 to 1945, fixed sight, after 43 this gun had no markings other than serial number
Brescia manufactured a carbine during this period but it remained in the 91 configuration with adjustable sight. 1940 thru 1943
While the above are all of the guns called Carbines, the Fucile Corto is within the 21' barrel length to classify it as a carbine, so I am going to add it also.
Fucile Corto
M38- manufactured by four companys: 7.35mm
Beretta;
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
R.E. Terni;
M38-manufactured by four companys: 6.5mm
Beretta;
Brescia;
Gardone Val Trompia;
R.E. Terni;
M38-8mm conversion done by Heinrich Krieghoff at plant 12
Receiver marked HK
Cleaning kit for all versions
Accessories
Reference books:
The Carcano Italy's Rifle -- by Richard Hobbs
Web Reference:
The Carcano Home Page
Great web page for the Carcano enthusiast
Insignia for the RSI Black Brigade
Photos like the one below of Italian Troops
Technics kn 1000 keyboard manual. Italian forces in N. African Desert
The Carcano and Israel
by Dan Reynolds
Prior to the British withdrawal from Palestine in 1948 Jewish agents were combing Europe for rifles. They were buying anything they could find. A deal was struck for 8mm Carcano carbines and they were stored on an airfield in central Italy which had recently been used by the RAF. This was a relay point for contraband being smuggled by air from Europe. In May of 1948 Israel declared its Independence and and was immediately invaded by the Arab Nations. By July a major arms deal was struck with Czechoslovakia for rifles, machine guns, ammunition, pistols, smgs, and aircraft. Nightly illegal flights from Bratislava in Slovakia in a Dakota (C-47) twin engine aircraft with phony RAF markings and radio call signs were refueling at the Italian air field before flying on to deliver the 98K type 8mm Mausers to Israel. Arab agents were at this time seeking to buy rifles for their forces and were duped into buying the Carcano's from the Israeli agents as Israel no longer needed them. Some or many of them were tampered with so that they could not be of use once it was discovered that they would blow up. I also found out that the Brescia guns were never fully developed thus causing many failures. 10,000 were assembled to fulfill a contract even though they would not function correctly. Some of the 8mm were kept by the Israeli military and are marked with the Star of David, others bare Arabic writing but I do not know from which country as Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Iraq were all involved.
Terni Carcano Rifle Serial Numbers
Other Items of Interest
The British shipped a large number of captured Italian small arms to the Dutch in East Indies after 7 Dec.'41 as aid because they could not spare rifles or MG's of their own. A huge number of Italian small arms were floating around North Africa and Middle East that Arabs and Turags took from Italians or picked up from desert as they collapsed. These were smuggled south in Kenya and northeast into Arabia, Trans-Jordan, Palestine and beyond in the late forties as well as being used in Algeria, Morrocco and Tunisa by anti French movements up into '50's.
Carcano Identification
copyright 2003-2008 RK Smith-Dan Reynolds