Page 89 - GUNS Issue n.01

The 1891 carbine had sling attachment points only on the left side. Unlike the Truppe Speciali (special forces)
carbine, there are no known variants with sling attachment points placed in a different position.

1 arsenal of Gardone between the early 30s and 1938. There are also
many carbines made by Fna between 1940 and 1943. Some carbines
are slightly pitted, while others look almost brand new.
This variety allows us to address, for the benefit of readers
and collectors, some often disputed issues relating to certain
morphological aspects of this firearm: in particular, we are talking
about the barrel cover, the shape of the bayonet mounting point
and the chamber. All elements that, if correctly inserted into their
context, allow us to understand whether a carbine conforms to
its original archetype or whether it has undergone subsequent
alterations. Let’s dive in.
Bayonet mounting systems
2
The Moschetto 1891 carbine differs from most firearms of the time
for having been equipped with a spike bayonet hinged at the
muzzle of the weapon, so that, when not in use, it could be folded
under the barrel and partially stored within a specific gap in the
stock. In its initial configuration, the bayonet was held by means of
a slider with two lugs (one on each side), equipped with a detent
that engaged two notches at the two ends of the bayonet joint. The
latter, placed at the muzzle, was equipped with a top opening that
surrounded the front sight base (integral with the barrel) and was
attached to it by means of a screw.
With the beginning of World War I, it was realized that the mounting
system for the bayonet was not reliable enough, therefore a new
3
system, temporarily used by some cavalry units, was designed,
consisting of a butterfly screw notch applied on the hinge pin of the
bayonet, which, depending on the position, allowed or blocked the
movement of a lever connected to the bayonet slider. In this way, with
the notch rotated in the locked position, even in the event of an impact
the release of the bayonet slider was not possible and, therefore, it was
not possible to accidentally fold or deploy the bayonet.
With order n. 400 of 30 June 1916, this temporary solution, particularly
rare on mil-surp cavalry carbines, was soon replaced by the second
official model of bayonet release system: the so-called “lever”.

4
1_This sample with an original unmodified stock has a label, with the elegant
handwriting of the time, that shows the name of the soldier who the carbine was
issued to. This is living, breathing history, a first-hand look at life 100 years ago.

2_Wonderful woodwork done at the arsenal to restore a damaged stock.

3_The stock cartouche alone justify the purchase of the gun: they are like small
artistic paintings. This is a sample repaired by the Officina Costruzioni in Rome,
after first world war.

4_Spectacular refurbishing stock cartouche done by the Royal Arsenal of Gardone
Val Trompia in 1934.

Moschetto 1891 cavalry carbine_Military rifles 87