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Italian Carcano M91 Long Rifle and Mauser Karabiner 98k

Three antique firearms mounted on a wooden wall: a long bolt-action rifle, a mid-length carbine, and a double-barrel percussion pistol.

Estimated value

$800 - $1,600

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Militaria

Brand

Mauser

Era

circa 1891-1945

Origin

🌍 International

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
3

ITALIAN CARCANO M91 LONG RIFLE AND MAUSER KARABINER 98K: IDENTIFICATION

A wall-mounted collection featuring an Italian Model 1891 Carcano rifle with its characteristic fixed magazine box and straight bolt handle, a German Mauser Kar98k featuring the cupped buttplate and side-mounted sling pass-through, and a generic percussion-cap double-barrel pistol. The Carcano exhibits a darkened walnut stock and full-length handguard, while the Mauser shows a lighter laminate or hardwood stock consistent with mid-to-late WWII production.

Compare with other militaria in the archive: North African Miquelet-Lock Musket (Moukhala), Edo Period Iron Tsuba with Musashino Grass and Silver Inlay, British Pattern 1839 Muskatoon (T. POTTS LONDON).

ISSUE & SERVICE HISTORY

The Model 1891 Carcano was the standard infantry rifle for Italian forces through both World Wars, designed by Salvatore Carcano at the Turin Army Arsenal in 1891. The Karabiner 98k, adopted in 1935 by the Wehrmacht, served as the primary German service rifle until 1945, with over 14 million units ...
The Model 1891 Carcano was the standard infantry rifle for Italian forces through both World Wars, designed by Salvatore Carcano at the Turin Army Arsenal in 1891. The Karabiner 98k, adopted in 1935 by the Wehrmacht, served as the primary German service rifle until 1945, with over 14 million units produced by various contractors including Mauser-Werke and Sauer & Sohn.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

The 1891 Carcano was the first service rifle to use the 6.5×52mm cartridge, which featured a progressive twist rifling system intended to reduce barrel wear.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 15 militaria items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Distinctive bolt and magazine geometry matches known M91 and K98k patterns
  • Aging of wood and metal patina is consistent with mid-20th-century surplus storage
  • High production numbers of these models make forgery for these specific variants unlikely
How does authenticity detection work?

MILITARY HISTORIAN'S TAKE

Militaria Historian

Military Specialist

Identification is high based on the distinct silhouettes of the M91 and K98k, but specific factory attribution requires macroscopic photos of receiver markings.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Side-mounted sling bar and cupped buttplate are diagnostic of the Mauser 98k variant.
  • 2Integrated six-round Mannlicher-style clip magazine confirms the Carcano action.
  • 3Straight bolt handle on the top rifle is a primary identifier for the M91 Long Rifle variant.
  • 4Presence of Dutch commemorative ribbons suggests a European collection context.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Possible missing parts on the Mauser (sight hood, cleaning rod).
  • •The percussion pistol may be a 20th-century non-firing decorative replica.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Photograph receiver stamps on the Mauser to determine factory code and year.
  • →Check the Carcano barrel shank for the 'TERNI' or 'ROMA' arsenal stamps.
  • →Inspect rifle bores for rifling integrity using a bore light.
  • →Verify the pistol's lock mechanism for function and hammer spring tension.

CONDITION & GRADE

Good (NRA Antique Standards)

Grading breakdown

Assessment based on complete stocks without major cracks and intact metal components, though the missing Mauser accessories and surface patina limit the grade to a 'Good' or 'Very Good' surplus rating.

Condition

Both rifles appear to be in functional 'surplus' condition with typical field wear; the Mauser lacks a front sight hood and cleaning rod, which are frequently missing from secondary market examples.

Weight & feel

The Carcano M91 weighs approximately 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs) with its 30-inch barrel, while the shorter Mauser weighs approximately 3.7 kg to 4.1 kg depending on stock material.

MILITARIA VALUATION

$800 - $1,600

Updated: May 12, 2026

Who buys this

WWII military history collectors and surplus firearm enthusiasts targeting specific national arsenals.

What increases value

  • •Matching serial numbers on the bolt, floorplate, and receiver
  • •Presence of Nazi 'Waffenamt' inspection stamps on the Mauser
  • •Overall original finish versus a post-war arsenal re-blue

What lowers value

  • •Import marks on the receiver (common in US markets) can decrease value to purist collectors
  • •Stock 'duffel cuts' or sanded wood finish
  • •Bore pitting or erosion from use with corrosive primers

What makes top-tier examples

  • •All-matching hardware numbers
  • •Original un-sanded walnut stocks with crisp crisp cartouches
  • •Presence of original sling and accessories

Grade & condition

Determined by percentage of original bluing remaining and the presence of pitting on metal or cracks in the wood.

Rarity & demand

AverageHigh demandSells quickly
Browse similar militaria objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

MA

matt84
Wonderseeker•1 item

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