Carcano M1891: The Italian War Rifle That Fought Through History!

The Carcano M1891 is one of the most historically important bolt-action rifles ever produced, serving as the backbone of the Italian military for more than five decades. In this video, we explore the complete story of the Carcano M91 — its origins, engineering, battlefield performance, variants, and the surprising impact it left on military history. Whether you're a firearms collector, a military-history fan, or simply curious about classic rifles, this deep dive will give you everything you need to know about Italy’s iconic service weapon.

The Carcano M1891 was designed by Salvatore Carcano and officially adopted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1891. Built to modernize the Italian army, the rifle introduced several unique features, including a 6-round Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip, a smooth turn-bolt action, and the reliable 6.5×52mm Carcano cartridge. Throughout its service life, the rifle proved dependable, easy to manufacture, and surprisingly comfortable to shoot due to its low-recoil cartridge. Despite mixed opinions from modern shooters, the Carcano played a major role in shaping early 20th-century warfare.

Produced by major Italian arsenals such as Terni, Brescia, Gardone Val Trompia, and Beretta, the M91 was manufactured in the millions. It saw heavy use across major conflicts including World War I, the Italo-Turkish War, the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II. Even after the war, many Carcanos found their way into surplus markets and foreign militaries, cementing the rifle’s status as an affordable and historically rich collector’s piece.

In this video, we break down all the key specifications: weight, barrel length, muzzle velocity, range, and overall handling characteristics. We also explore the numerous variants such as the M91 long rifle, M91 TS Special Troops carbine, the Cavalry Carbine with folding bayonet, and the updated M38 rifles available in both 6.5mm and 7.35mm calibers. Each variation tells a different story about Italy’s evolving military needs.

You’ll learn how the Carcano’s en-bloc clip system actually works, why the Italian army preferred the 6.5mm cartridge for decades, and how the rifle compared to other bolt-action rifles of the era like the Mauser, Mosin-Nagant, Lee-Enfield, and Springfield. We also look at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Carcano, including questions about its accuracy and reliability.

This video is designed to be a full, clear, easy-to-understand guide, perfect for YouTube viewers wanting a complete overview of this historical weapon. If you’re building your knowledge of World War rifles, researching classic Italian firearms, or preparing content for your own collection, this video will give you the detailed background you need.

Make sure to watch until the end for a full breakdown of the Carcano’s performance, legacy, and long-term reputation among shooters and collectors. And if you enjoy videos like this, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep-dives into classic firearms, military history, weapon technology, and historical battles.

Thank you for watching, and welcome to a journey through the history of one of Italy’s most iconic rifles — the Carcano Modello 1891.