Italy's Mannlicher-Carcano: how did such a good rifle get such a bad reputation?

Guns Magazine, August, 2007 by John Sheehan

[A] A 1922 dated rework cartouche from the Govt. arsenal in Rome. [B] A 1919 dated rework cartouche from the Govt. arsenal in Rome. [C] A 1920 dated rework cartouche from the Govt. arsenal at Brescia. [D] An undated cartouche from the stock of a Model 1870/87\15 conversion from the Govt. arsenal at Gardone. [E] A 1917 dated production cartouche from the buttstock of a M91 Infantry rifle produced at the Govt. arsenal in Rome. [F] A 1900 dated rework cartouche from the Govt. arsenal at Torino. [G] A 1916 dated production cartouche from the Govt. arsenal at Brescia.

BOXER REBELLION

The Model 1891 Mannlicher-Carcano had been field tested and blooded in combat well before the Great War. The Italian Army had been engaged in a fierce colonial struggle for two years in Libya prior to Italy's entrance into the First World War. Prior to that, regiments of Bersaglieri, the elite bicycle troops of the Italian Army, along with units of Italian Infantry, had carried the M91 Carcano as part of the combined European and American relief expedition to lift the siege of the Western Legations at Peking, China, during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The weapon was serviceable and effective and was much loved by the Italian troops who carried it prior to and throughout the Great War.

Former Austro-Hungarian soldiers of Czech decent who had been captured by the Allies, later volunteered to fight against their former masters in the hope of gaining an independent Czech Nation after the war. To these numbers were added Czech volunteers from across Europe and the United States who flocked to the colors to aid in the cause. Regiments were formed in France, Italy and Russia to fight against the Central Powers.

Pictured here is a member of the 34th Czech Legion Alpine Regiment, one of two Legion units who fought as part of the Italian Army in the last year of the war. The uniform was produced from Italian greggio-verde colored wool, however the cut of the tunic was tailored along the same lines as that of the French Army.

The distinctive Alpine cap is identical to the standard Italian issue Alpini cap with the exception of the Czech insignia. The rest of the kit and accoutrements are Italian standard issue items. This particular soldier is an assistant machine gunner as indicated by his collar insignia and his gear. The unusual mail-lined shoulder pad and mittens were necessary to displace or emplace a hot machinegun while in action without burning the soldier or his uniform. He carries a M1891 "Truppe Speciale" carbine, which was short and handy for troops whose primary function required the use of both of their hands most of the time.