WW2 1936 Italian Carcano Calvary carbine

This is a classic Italian Carcano bolt-action military rifle/carbine from the Fascist era, specifically manufactured in 1936 (marked as 1936-XIV, where “XIV” is the 14th year of the Fascist regime, counting from Mussolini’s March on Rome in 1922).

Key Markings and Identification

•  “GARDONE VALTROMPIA” (or “Gardone V.T.”) on the receiver/barrel: This indicates production at the Royal Arms Factory (Regio Esercito) in Gardone Val Trompia, near Brescia, Italy—one of the main Italian arsenals for Carcanos in the 1930s.

•  “1936-XIV”: Confirms the Gregorian year 1936 and the Fascist calendar year XIV.

•  Serial number “F7820” (stamped on the receiver and buttstock): Typical Carcano serial format (letter + numbers). The “F” prefix is consistent with certain Gardone production runs from this period. Matching numbers on the stock and metal parts suggest it’s largely original/matching.

•  “FABBRICA D’ARMI” cartouche on the buttstock with “GARDONE V.T. 1936-ANNO-XIV”: Standard Italian military proof/acceptance stamp for this arsenal and year.

The rifle appears to be a Moschetto Modello 1891 variant (likely a cavalry carbine or TS/truppe speciali short version), chambered in the standard 6.5×52mm Carcano cartridge. It has the characteristic Carcano features:

•  Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip loading (5 rounds).

•  Bolt handle with the distinctive knob.

•  Adjustable rear sight (visible in close-ups).

•  Wooden stock with the metal buttplate/trapdoor area.

These 1936 Gardone examples were produced during Italy’s rearmament period leading into WWII. Many saw service in the Italian military, and later batches or captured examples ended up in various theaters (including North Africa/Ethiopia, with some surfacing in postwar surplus).

Condition and Display

It looks like a solid collector piece—good wood patina, intact metal finish, and clear markings. The display stand and poster pairing make for an effective “history corner” setup.

 I would rate this to be in very good condition.

Can ship anywhere in Canada

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