Carcano facts for kids
The Carcano is a type of bolt-action rifle that was first made in Italy in 1891. It was designed for the Italian army and became their standard service rifle for many years. The Carcano rifle is known for its role in several historical events.
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The Carcano Rifle: A Look Back
The Carcano rifle was named after its designer, Salvatore Carcano. He worked at the Turin Army Arsenal in Italy. This rifle was a big step forward for the Italian military. It replaced older, less modern firearms.
What is a Bolt-Action Rifle?
A bolt-action rifle is a type of firearm where the shooter manually loads each round. This is done by operating a "bolt" handle. The bolt moves back and forth to load a new bullet. It also removes the empty shell after firing. This design is very reliable and was common for military rifles.
Carcano's History and Design
The Carcano rifle was first introduced in 1891. It was officially called the Modello 91, or M91. It used a special type of ammunition called 6.5×52mm Carcano. This bullet was smaller and faster than many others at the time.
The rifle had a unique magazine system. It used a clip that held six rounds. This clip helped soldiers reload their rifles quickly. The Carcano was used by Italian soldiers in many conflicts.
Different Models and Calibers
Over the years, several versions of the Carcano rifle were made. Some were shorter, like carbines, for cavalry or special troops. Others were full-length rifles for infantry.
Around 1938, Italy decided to change the rifle's ammunition. They switched to a new bullet, the 7.35×51mm Carcano. This led to new models of the rifle. However, Italy soon went back to the original 6.5mm ammunition. This was because it was hard to produce enough of the new bullets during wartime.
A Rifle in History: Famous Events
The Carcano rifle played a role in both World War I and World War II. Italian soldiers carried these rifles on battlefields around the world. It was a key weapon for Italy's armed forces during these major conflicts.
The Carcano rifle is also known for its connection to a very famous historical event. A Carcano rifle was used in the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This event made the rifle widely known around the world. It became a part of a significant moment in American history.
Images for kids
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(Left to Right) 7.92mm Mauser (also called 8mm Mauser), 6.5mm Carcano, and 7.35mm Carcano
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Model 91 Bayonet
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Carcano Model 1891/38 Infantry rifle
See also
In Spanish: Carcano M91 para niños
