Yesterday's Weapons Forums

I hate to bring up an old debate but I have a question about these 8MM carbines. I was looking at this web site and read about the rifles being converted at the Armaguerra Arms Factory in Cremona.

This would to me make sense as a 1941 Carcano I have coming to me is also lacking in barrel markings and it is also from Armaguerra Arms Factory in Cremona. I have a 7.9 conversion with only 0009 serial number and no other markings.

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20italienn ... a%20gb.htm

And if this is the case what about the 2 other 7.9 rifles I have. One is FNA-B marked and the other is Terni, both with matching numbered stocks (stocks have seen better days). Where these rifles converted at the different arsenals or all at one arsenal?

_________________
Mark

Resident of the Northern Republic of Free California

"People should not be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the people." - V

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" - Ben Franklin

Good question! That no one is able to adequately answer. I have 6 or 7 of the 8mm conversions, and 2 are scrubbed... or Armaguerra production, take your pick. There are different stories going around about them and no real proof. Hobbs claims these were used in Italy's Russian offensive... possibly a few but, now I do not believe to any extent.

The few pics I have seen from the Don & Bug River campaigns show mostly M41 long rifles and cav carbines - used by the Italian cavalry.

I am hoping the German Carcano book will shed more light on the subject.

With a little luck and a lot of cash, I may be getting one of the M38 cav carbine Kreighoff 8mm conversions. No mystery with those however. SW

_________________
Slava Ukraini!!

Ok so the question remains as to who scrubbed some of them and just numbered them? Would there be other markings under the wood on the receiver?

Its funny but a bit scary but one of my FNA marked ones (serial #16, stock marked 16) looked like the rear sight was off to one side. So I go to check it out and find out the whole barrel was loose. I took it apart by hand!!

Check those 8mm carbines folks!!

_________________
Mark

Resident of the Northern Republic of Free California

"People should not be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the people." - V

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" - Ben Franklin

Keep in mind these changed hands a few times. Isreal bought a bunch from desperation for any kind of rifle... bought some SMLEs instead and pawned the TS off onto Egypt... I read somewhere Syria wound up with some & my guess is they also used them as trainers. Only a guess though.

Any of the different owners could have scrubbed them. SW

_________________
Slava Ukraini!!

Some of the unmarked rifles can be ID'ed as FNA Brescia by the stamp "L. Franchi" on the bottom of the rear tang. Also Hobb's in his book (pg 28) says the later Brescia conversions dropped their name and just applied a serial number.

I don't know how that funny face got in there but it's supposed to be an eight.

Are you seeing funny faces again

_________________
Mark

Resident of the Northern Republic of Free California

"People should not be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the people." - V

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" - Ben Franklin

_________________
Slava Ukraini!!

Uh-Oh, looks like that funny face pulled a "Houdini" on me.