Carcano M91 Cavalry Carbine

About the Carcano M91 Cavalry Carbine

The Carcano M91 Cavalry Carbine (Moschetto Modello 1891 da Cavalleria) is a bolt-action carbine adopted by the Royal Italian Army in 1893 as a shortened, lighter companion to the M91 infantry rifle for mounted cavalry and special troops. Chambered in 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano and fed by a six-round en bloc clip, it features a permanently attached folding bayonet that hinges back along the forend, and the Carcano's distinctive gain-twist (progressive) rifling.

The cavalry carbine's folding spike bayonet pivots back under the barrel when not in use, so a trooper could carry the weapon 'blade ready' without it snagging while mounted - a feature Italian arsenals kept on the design for over half a century.

Carcano M91 Cavalry Carbine specifications

The integral folding spike bayonet that swings down from beneath the muzzle is the defining feature of the cavalry carbine, distinguishing it from the M91 TS (Truppe Speciali) carbine. The Carcano's gain-twist barrel starts with a slow rifling pitch that progressively tightens toward the muzzle.