Carcano M38/91
Despite attempts to replace the 6.5mm cartridge that had been deemed obsolete after the Great War, the improved short rifle pattern of the Carcano rifle would service as the official standard issue of the Regio Esercito in the Second World War.
The History
In the aftermath of the First World War many nations began to reexamine the weaponry with which if was fought. The Kingdom of Italy was no different, with a prevailing wisdom that the Model 1891 infantry rifle was too cumbersome for the standard infantryman in relation to the slight advantage at long range from its long barrel. Programs had been in effect in the 1920s to convert a large number of these rifles into carbines, but a new solution was needed.
The front sight of the M38 is a simple drift adjustable blade, essentially unchanged from earlier models
Testing was performed through the late 1930s, eventually resulting in the development of a short rifle pattern. Designated the M38, this was on the shorter end of the spectrum, treading the line with being a carbine, but with a number of intersting features focused on being a user friendly weapon for modern infantry combat. In addition, the weapon was selected to be an optimal match with a newer, more powerful cartridge to replace the old M91 6.5mm round.
The fixed rear sight of the M38, with the caliber marked atop it to prevent confusion between 7.35mm and 6.5mm models
The new 7.35mm cartridge included a spitzer bullet, itself a notable improvement from the round nosed 6.5mm. The new projectile notably included an aluminum tip, which was intended to produce tumbling upon impact, although other factors would prove detrimental to the performance of the round. The casing was notably of the same dimensions aside from the neck, allowing existing packet clips to be used, and negating the need to modify the existing bolt face and extractor of the rifle. This was in reality a constraint, however, as financial considerations mandated it in favor of larger caliber cartridges.
When Italy entered the Second World War in 1940 the adoption was still in progress, and as a result the M38 and its new cartridge were found on the front alongside the older 6.5mm models, sometimes even within the same units, seriously complicating logistics. The result was the cancelation of production of 7.35mm weapons and ammunition, and later most of these were supplied to Finland as aid to clear them from the overburdened Italian supply system.
The barrel shank is marked with the Italian crown, “RE” for Regio Esercito (Royal Army), and the year of production in both the year of the Fascist Era and the Christian Calendar
The result was a rapid rechambering of the M38, reverting to the older 6.5mm cartridge, which included a new barrel with an altered twist rate, although it was otherwise unaltered. This would go on to be the official standard issue of the Italian military in the conflict, although due to production issues it would never fully supplant the various other models of the Carcano in service. Production would last until 1941, with well over a half million produced, when production was shifted entirely to carbines and the new M1941 full length infantry rifle.
The weapons in service would serve until the end of the Second World War, including in the concurrent Italian Civil War that occured after the collapse of the Fascist government in 1943. After the war it would remain in service in various conflicts around the world along with the other detritus of the conflict. Many would also end up on the surplus market around the world, with one example being notable as the weapon used by Lee Harvey Oswald for the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The action of the M38 is essentially indistinguishable from the earlier carbine variants
The Design
Compared to the older M1891, the Carcano M38 is a very short short rifle, its overall length of 40 inches being three inches shorter than the German Kar98k and ten inches shorter than the M1891 rifle it replaced. It features a redesigned stock that is noticeably thicker than those of other variants with pronounced grasping grooves and a reinforced, German style bayonet lug and upper band, and side mounted sling swivels in a similar manner to the popular M1891 Carbine.
In addition, the M38 features a bent bolt handle, as well as one of its most distinctive features: its fixed rear sight. Eschewing the complicated adjustable rear sight of the M1891, the new model of short rifle (as well as the attendant M38 carbine variants) featured a simple, non-adjustable sight set at 200 meters. This was intended both to simplify production as well as increase usability, as it was found that in most engagements soldiers did not have the time to make adjustments to their sights and instead merely used their battlesights. This combined with the fact that with most infantry encounters the engagement distance was within the point blank rage of these sights to make it apparent to Italian designers that adjustable sights were unnecessary.
The unique detachable folding bayonet of the M38
This Example
The example of the M38 in 6.5mm in the reference collection was manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Terni in 1940, and is in overall very good condition aside from a small piece of the handguard missing forward of the barrel band. Markings are crisp and clear throughout, and finish is uniform and in good condition. The original three-piece cleaning rod is located with the compartment on its butt.
The bayonet attached and folded, the blade fitting into a groove cut on the underside of the stock
Opinions
The M38 short rifle is a notable improvement for ergonomics over the earlier M1891 infantry rifle, and is physically a solid entry in the stable of WWII-era improved bolt action service rifles. Its primary handicap, however, is the en-bloc clip and the reversion to the 6.5mm cartridge, which was by 1940 notably obsolete. The faults of the Carcano family as a whole (mostly coming from cost saving measures inherent to the design) remain present, but in the opinion of the author the M38 short rifle is the apex of the Carcano family.
An Italian mortar crew in action in Yugoslavia. The man closest to the camera is armed with an M38 Carcano
Observed Values and Frequency
Updated: August, 2024
AVERAGE VALUE (USD): $400-$500
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
COLLECTOR’S NOTES: It appears that the 6.5mm variant is slightly less common than the Finnish marked 7.35mm variants, but more common than non-Finn 7.35 models