Carcano Moschetto 91 Carbine and its Folding Bayonet

Published on May 12, 2020
Duration: 12:11

This video provides an expert-level overview of the Carcano Moschetto M91 carbine and its unique folding bayonet, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. It details the carbine's development for specialized troops, its mechanical differences from the long rifle, and the evolution of its bayonet latching system through three distinct iterations. The comparison between the M91 and the later M91/38 highlights production efficiencies and sight differences.

Quick Summary

The Carcano Moschetto M91 is an Italian carbine featuring a permanently attached folding bayonet, designed for troops needing a shorter weapon. Its bayonet latch evolved through three designs for improved reliability. The later M91/38 variant simplified production with a fixed rear sight and barrel contour changes, becoming an 'economy' model during WWII with over 1.6 million produced.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Carcano Moschetto M91
  2. 00:45Intended Use and Issuance
  3. 02:01Mechanical Differences
  4. 03:09Evolution of the Folding Bayonet Latch
  5. 04:39Markings and Sights
  6. 07:09Comparing M91 and M91/38 Models
  7. 09:24Production History and WWII Surge

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Carcano Moschetto M91 carbine?

The Carcano Moschetto M91 is the first short carbine version of the Italian Carcano rifle, adopted in 1893. It was designed for troops needing a more compact weapon, like cavalry and bicycle troops, and features an integrated folding bayonet.

How did the Carcano Moschetto M91's folding bayonet evolve?

The folding bayonet for the Carcano Moschetto M91 went through three latching iterations: an early sliding latch, a WWI-era lever system, and a final spring-loaded button style adopted after WWI for better reliability under recoil.

What are the main differences between the Carcano M91 and M91/38 carbines?

The M91/38 variant primarily features a fixed rear sight (zeroed for 200m or 300m) and a simplified, rounded barrel contour at the chamber for increased production efficiency, compared to the adjustable sight and different contour of the M91.

Why was the Carcano carbine produced in large numbers during WWII?

During WWII, the Carcano carbine became an 'economy' version due to its shorter barrel and integrated bayonet, which saved significant materials. This efficiency led to over 1.6 million units being produced during the war.

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