Carcano Carbine

[dave_303]

I've just found a carcano 91/28 TS for sale.

The barrel is apparently in good nick, the metal work and the bolt look great, however, the stock has been cut down to just in front of the front barrel band, it lacks a bayonet lug and the fore sight ring has been replaced with a sporter style ramped fore sight. It's only £100 which is what drew men to it as it is within my student budget price range. I'm trying to figure out whether or not it is economical to bring it back up to mil-spec, or whether it be better to just wait around for one to come up for sale as a non-sporterised piece

Looking through the usual places (numrich, sarconic, liberty tree etc..) I see to be able to get the front sight unit, the bayonet lug and a cleaning rod for around $80. I cannot find any forward handguard pieces at all, or complete stock sets. Does anyone know any other places to go for? Google is failing me on this one.

[froggy]

Salut,

In my limited experience unless you get the rifle at rock bottom "bargain of the century price" it is rarely "economical" to bring it back to its orriginal condition. And once you are finished with it, your rifle will, for ever, be a miss-matched/completed one. IMO it is worth the effort only for interesting/rare pieces.
Carcanos in addition to be very efficient for US president shooting, are not rare, readily available & relatively cheap. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up a little and wait for a "good one" .

[Sandgroper]

Are you sure it's a 91/28TS? From your description it could be a Carcano 91 Moschetto da Cavalleria with the folding bayonet and foresight removed - some pictures would help.

Almost of the Carcanos I've seen have been deactivated they might be a good (albeit expensive) source of parts/woodwork. At £100 I'd consider taking it (especially if it was a Moschetto da Cavalleria model) even if there wasn't any hope of restoring it - but it's a moot point as I already have a 91/28TS and it's great fun to shoot.

Edit
M91 Moschetto da Cavalleria


M91/28TS (image from Pukkabundhooks -my rifle!)

[etprescottuk]

Restoration of any old firearm is a labour of love it is never economical and it can take a long time time to find the correct parts. I have restored several old military rifles, took 4 years to find the correct handguard to a late war series 35 Arisaka Type 99 I told myself never again. I would wait until the correct example of something you would like to have becomes available.

[dave_303]

Sandgroper, as far as I can tell that's what it is, having compared the photos with complete specimens. I've decided against this one, as I have found a M38 for sale in extremely good condition and should be putting a deposit down on it soon. However, etprescottuk, I understand what you mean a local dealer to me has an early model (1900) M91 mosin nagant, the barrel has sadly been cut and it is missing it's bolt head, when asked how much the dealer merely quipped, "just make me an offer" I've been contemplating this for 2 days now, whether or not to cut the barrel a little bit more to make a 91 carbine or to hope to find a barrel off another

[Blighty]

Just remember that with a new barrel you'll lose the stamps from the barrel shank. If so it would be much cheaper just to buy a carbine (m38 or m44). You'd have to buy a new barrel, get an RFD to transfer it, then get a gunsmith to fit it, new bolt head, have it proofed etc. Not worth it.

Humour me. Any photos of the M91? Original imperial carbines do exist. Rarer than gold capped hens teeth.

[dave_303]

Here is a link

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sal ... 9164524001

I already have a M44 and currently undecided what to do about this one

[Blighty]

I spotted that one a few weeks ago. Came from somewhere in North Africa apparently.

I think that the kindest thing to do would be to step away and buy a different Mosin Nagant. The woodwork looks buggered and would be dangerous to shoot in that condition. Also it's a locally made stock with no cross bolt. Dread to think what the bore is like. Would make an interesting object to hang above the fireplace and I'll bet that it has a few stories to tell but that's about it. Even if you could get it for free it would simply clog up your ticket.

Not trying to discourage you, just think that it would turn into a money pit.

Buy a Finn instead. You know it makes sense!