Yesterday's Weapons Forums

So I recently ran across a sale on a few old rifles. On a whim I picked up a M38. It seems to be a 1939 even though its only stamped 939. It's made by gardone and after cleaning it up it seems that the rifling and bore look pretty good. The sling may be original as well. There are not many markings on it and I'm just wondering if I got a deal or got beat. Paid $200. Will try to add photos

Here's one

Some more

Last two

It looks like it's in original configuration, so that price isn't bat at all. The days of 50 dollar Carcanos are pretty much gone. That caliber is much easier to reload than 6,5 IMO. SW

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Slava Ukraini!!

Any idea if it is a rare model?.. Something to hold on too? or a commonly found surplus rifle? Thoughts on the sling... Any idea how to tell if its original. I'm sorry but I don't know much about these and there is not as much info on the web for carcanos as there is for the mosin or k98. I figured you were the guy to ask , it seems you have a lot of knowledge when it comes to the carcano

Certainly not what I'd call the "r-bomb" but that it lacks the Finn SA mark makes it more uncommon.

When the 7,35 caliber was withdrawn from service, these were just stuffed into warehouses where Germans seized many of them after the Sept 8, 1943 Italian surrender. These were then shipped off to German warehouses where some were given as aid to Germany's allies in Bulgaria.

Just for fun, look on the bottom of the stock ahead of the rear sling swivel. There might ( more likely might not) be a German armorer's mark. If so, the value just raised a bit. SW

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Slava Ukraini!!

Ok any idea what the German armory marking would look like?. There is a faded cartouche that appears to be the fag 39 mark that you had discussed in a previous thread. So I guess this stock has been sanded. Other than that I don't really see any other markings.. There are two digits that I can't really make out that are located above the four digit serial that is on the stock. Once again thanks for all the help!!!

The German armorer's mark will be a razi eagle over HZa-Jt3 or similar. It shows an armorer certified it was suitable for issue.

If the stock has been sanded, it may well have been obliterated. But still get a magnifying glass and look over the bottom edge of the stock between sling swivel and trigger guard. Watch for the remains of the Eagle or letters as described. They will be small and easy to miss.

I got mine for $65 at a gun show in Cheyenne and the seller had never even seen it. SW

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Slava Ukraini!!

Haha, your rifle says "fag" on it!


Pretty good deal with the sling. I can't stand stock work though.

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See my Balkans collection on my website , specializing in rifles with soldier graffiti.

A legit mark on an M 95 for reference

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