I picked up what appears to be a Mannlicher from a friend today. I would appreciate any help ID'ing the rifle. I have some photos I would be more than happy to send to interested parties. Here are some of the details:

01. Receiver - rear split bridge
02. The receiver has the stripper clip cutout and a shallow cut to facilitate loading
03. straight bolt handle
04. staggered box magazine flush with the stock. the floorplate release in the trigger guard similar to 1909 Arg Mauser
05. cartridge follower has a bolt stop
06. flip up ladder type rear sight graduated to 23
07. bore appears to be about 6.5mm
08. when the safety is activated the bolt handle flips up
09. to remove the bolt, lift up and pull it to the rear until it stop, squeeze the trigger to permit the bolt to be withdrawn from the receiver
10. the saftey is sort of oval in shape and checkered on the butt side. It is in the vertical position as opposed to the horizontal position as with the 98 mauser. It only has two positions
11. The only ID marks I have seen are the serial number H1988 and an "A" in a modified box

I would say it most resembles a M03/14 Rifle. The chamber section of the barrel is not covered by wood.

I know it is difficult to ID rifles without good pics but any help would be appreciated. I will be leaving the country shortly so I don't really have an opportunity to head to the book store. If you can provide a good link to help me ID the rifle that would be appreciated as well.

Regards,
Eric

Carcano’s are really difficult to ID because, from what I understand, none of them were marked with the model number, and even the serial number can be on either the receiver or the barrel, or both.

de Hass book lists some pointers to help identify, but since you don’t have the book I’ll ask the questions.

Are there any stamped names on the breech end of the barrel? Names such as Terni, Re Terni, FNA? Are there any numbers or Roman numerals stamped on the barrel or receiver?

What is the Barrel length? M1891’s had either a 30 inch or a 17.5 inch...Model 41’s had a 27 inch, and the M38 had either a 21.5 inch or a 17.5 inch.

All of the 1891’s and 41’s were chambered in 6.5mm. The model 38’s were chambered in 6.5mm, 7.35mm and a few in 7.92mm.

Rick 0311,

Thanks for the input. I don't think it is a Carcano as the floorplate is flush with the stock as on the Mauser 98. It has a 30" barrel. The only letters/numbers I've seen at the one mentioned in the previous post.

Action

Safety

After another look in de Hass book it sounds like it might be a Greek Mannlicher-Schoenhauser model 1903.

Does the bolt handle ball have a hole in the bottom...and does it have a weird magazine assembly with grooves for the cartridges?

The bolt handle is solid. The magazine is a staggered box like a Mauser 98 not the rotary type typically found in the MS

Eric

The Italians made some rifles in 6.5 for the Japanese prior to WWII. There were a sort of hybrid of the Carcano and Arisaka. I think that there is a picture and brief discussion of that rifle in DeHaas' book. A couple pictures of the whole rifle would help, but the magazine look like the Japanese Carcano to me.

Jeff

Jeff,

If you follow the links "ACTION" and "SAFETY" there are a few more photos at the host site. Once the picture opens there should be a scroll left/right arrow at the bottom that will take you to the other photos.

Thanks,
Eric

What I really wanted to see was a picture or pictures of the whole rifle, including the front sight. From what I can see, it looks very much like the Japanese Type "I" Carcano-Arisaka hybrid made for Japan in Italy prior to WW2. An example of this rifle is shown on page 88 of Frank DeHass' Bolt Action Rifle, Revised Edition, copywrite 1984,with a description on pages 98 and 99. This book is ISBN 0-910676-69-0 and LOC # 73-16310-5.

Jeff

I was able to find some pictures of the Japanese Type "I" Carcano-Arisaka on the internet. It would appear that thas is indeed what I have. Far cry from the Mauser it was stated to be at purchase. I figured it wasn't a Mauser but thought it may have been a Mannlicher-Schoenauer. In any case I don't feel bad having spent $80 for it. Thanks for all of your help Rick 0311 and 260remguy.

Regards,
Eric

quote:

Originally posted by Belarus:
I was able to find some pictures of the Japanese Type "I" Carcano-Arisaka on the internet. It would appear that thas is indeed what I have. Far cry from the Mauser it was stated to be at purchase. I figured it wasn't a Mauser but thought it may have been a Mannlicher-Schoenauer. In any case I don't feel bad having spent $80 for it. Thanks for all of your help Rick 0311 and 260remguy.

Regards,
Eric

Hey, for $80 bucks how can you go wrong with a rifle that probably has some real character and history connected to it.

According to de Haas they were made by Beretta, and they are somewhat rare, since not many were made.