Italian Carcano rifles used by the Germans?,

[Grutte Pier]

I got a question regarding the German use of Carcano rifles, I believe they gained big amounts of these rifles when Italy capitulated to the Allies but did they also use them in great quantity?, and if so, did they make any adjustments to it?, thanks in advance.

[Bill Grist]

I got a question regarding the German use of Carcano rifles, I believe they gained big amounts of these rifles when Italy capitulated to the Allies but did they also use them in great quantity?, and if so, did they make any adjustments to it?, thanks in advance.

Kerighoff converted Carcano's to 8mm Mauser.. There were also tons of them used by the VolksSturm in the closing days of the war...BILL

[Grutte Pier]

Kerighoff converted Carcano's to 8mm Mauser.. There were also tons of them used by the VolksSturm in the closing days of the war...BILL

Thanks for replying mister Grist, I already thought you would have an answer to my question, did only the Volksturm use them or also other units?, I remember reading a book regarding the fighting around the Remagen bridge, it also mentioned a weapon list containing numbers of Carcano rifles. I just purchased a Carcano throughout the internet, here some sellers pictures, I will receive it next week.

[Johnnie]

I read an article in "Deutsch Waffen Journal" a few months back about a tremendous number of Carcanos being used by Bavarian police post war. I wish I had kept the article.

Johnnie

[Grutte Pier]

I read an article in "Deutsch Waffen Journal" a few months back about a tremendous number of Carcanos being used by Bavarian police post war. I wish I had kept the article.

Johnnie

I think lots of Counties and people used it after the war Johnnie, probably most known is Lee Harvey Oswald.

[Johnnie]

I think lots of Counties and people used it after the war Johnnie, probably most known is Lee Harvey Oswald.

There is a very informative website devoted to Carcanos. I forget the address but run a Google on Carcanos and you will find it easily.
There seems to be a lot of misinformation about them, popularised by the American armchair gun press. I did an article on them once for an Italian militaria magazine called "Coorte".
They were used extensively after the war by many groups.. Evidently the Israelis used quite a few in their independence war in 48. It is believed that a lot of the 7.92mm conversions are actually Israeli.
The rifle you picture seems to be the original M-91 long rifle. I have one in the States. It was made by Terni in 1917, and rebuilt in Rome during the Second War, and then restored by me in a weapons repair shop I worked at. Someday I will get around to collecting all of the carbines.
When new, they were actually well made and funtional rifles, especially the 1938 versions.
During the 1950'-60s Italian rifle teams would often win NATO rifle competitions with them against other teams using M-1's ect.

Cheers,
Johnnie

[Grutte Pier]

There is a very informative website devoted to Carcanos. I forget the address but run a Google on Carcanos and you will find it easily.
There seems to be a lot of misinformation about them, popularised by the American armchair gun press. I did an article on them once for an Italian militaria magazine called "Coorte".
They were used extensively after the war by many groups.. Evidently the Israelis used quite a few in their independence war in 48. It is believed that a lot of the 7.92mm conversions are actually Israeli.
The rifle you picture seems to be the original M-91 long rifle. I have one in the States. It was made by Terni in 1917, and rebuilt in Rome during the Second War, and then restored by me in a weapons repair shop I worked at. Someday I will get around to collecting all of the carbines.
When new, they were actually well made and funtional rifles, especially the 1938 versions.
During the 1950'-60s Italian rifle teams would often win NATO rifle competitions with them against other teams using M-1's ect.

Cheers,
Johnnie

Thanks for the additional information, didn’t know that they where considered to be that good, very interesting to know, the rifle is indeed a original M91 long rifle and Terni marked, hope to have it next weekend, will ad some pictures of it then, thanks again for replying Johnnie.

[Bill Grist]

Here is a picture in my collection that shows Italian Carcano and 98k, etc surrendered in Bavaria during the last days of WW2 in Europe...BILL

[Grutte Pier]

Here is a picture in my collection that shows Italian Carcano and 98k, etc surrendered in Bavaria during the last days of WW2 in Europe...BILL

Great picture mister Grist, thanks for sharing it, if then they only knew the value of that pile of “rubbish” later in time.

[theduke635]

i have a couple of M-38 carconos that my grandpa brought back from the war.I post pics as soon i can get to them!