Question about a WWII rifle I own?

Question

It is an Italian youth carbine. My great unlce sent it home to my dad when he was just a kid during the war. It is very small, only 30 inches long. It has an expandable bayonett. It even has a brass plate on the stock with the name of the Italian soldier it was issued to at the time. Where can I find some real history on this rifle, Besides the internet and the Antiques Roadshow???

Answer 1

sounds like a manlicher-carcano "cavalry " carbine, cal 6.5 carcano. not a youth rifle per se, it's handy length made it more suitable for mounted, armored, and motorcycle carry. the brass plate was not stock, and was likely added by the soldier issued the rifle. some of these carbines were rebarreled to 8mm (german) cal. and issued to italian conscripts serving under general rommel in north africa. as is the case with any rifle of it's age, you should have it checked by a gunsmith to determine it's caliber and whether or not it is still in safe condition to be fired. chances are good that it is, ammo is avalible, and shooting these millitary antiques can be a real blast. be safe, have fun.

lee harvey oswald used a sniper version equipped with a scope and a rifle length barrel to assisinate jfk.

Answer 2

Try buying and writing to the American Rifleman Magazine, or Guns & Ammo Magazine. They both run columns about unusual firearms. Check with your library for any reference works on rifles of this period. Good Luck.

Answer 3

call the manufacturer