Mannlicher-Carcano?

[Mitch Todd]

In the recently posted Nova program, Luke Haag pronounced it CAR-cun-no which I believe is correct. I've been pronouncing it wrong all these years too. I also learned that I have been misspelling the last name of Luke and Mike Haag for as long as I have written about them. I have spelled it Haas because that was a surname I was more familiar with.

I've heard a couple of native Italian speakers pronounce the name, and they always said it with the stress on the first syllable, "CAR-can-o."

[John Corbett]

For what it's worth, I did find a Carcano short rifle for sale but in 7.35mm, not the 6.5mm of Oswald's rifle.

https://royaltigerimports.com/shop/c-grade-m38-carcano-short-rifle-cal-7-35x51/

There made be other differences as well. I found two listings for 6.5mm short rifles but both indicated they had been sold. I think someone is going to have to get lucky to find the same model or rifle as Oswald's because the few that come on the market seem to get bought very quickly.

[Mitch Todd]

My Carcano is a 7.35. Finding ammunition is harder, but finding ammunition that is the correct diameter (0.268" vs 0.264" for the 6.5mm version) is much easier.

the 7.35mm rifle is identical to CE139 in every way except for the bore.

[John Corbett]

My Carcano is a 7.35. Finding ammunition is harder, but finding ammunition that is the correct diameter (0.268" vs 0.264" for the 6.5mm version) is much easier.

the 7.35mm rifle is identical to CE139 in every way except for the bore.

If I could find a 6.5 short rifle at a reasonable cost, I might by one, but if I'm going to spend $500 on what would be a collector's item, I want it to be the same model as Oswald's. I can't think of a practical use I would have for such a rifle. I have better choices for home defense and I'm not a hunter. Even if I was, hunting with a rifle is prohibited in Ohio except for short range ammo, the kind typically used in handguns. Ohio deer hunters hunt with shotguns. There is a separate deer season a month later for hunting deer with primitive weapons, bows or muzzle loaders.

[Benjamin Cole]

MT-

You raise an arcane question. Was the ammo found in the TSBD6 0.268 or 0.264?

The gun boards say you get better results, accuracy wise, with the 0.268.

[John Corbett]

I just found this listing for a Carcano short rifle.

https://collectorsfirearms.com/1111-italian-carcano-m38-short-6-5-carcano-r27052.html/

Unfortunately, it has already been sold. Asking price was $439.95. I would have thought it would have sold for more. I don't see a date for the sale. It appears to be the same model as what Oswald used. It does show that the "Oswald model" does occasionally become available if one keeps an eye out and gets lucky. Had I seen this ad before the rifle was sold, I would have been sorely tempted. I wonder how many of these are in private hands right now.

[Charles Collins]

I just found this listing for a Carcano short rifle.

https://collectorsfirearms.com/1111-italian-carcano-m38-short-6-5-carcano-r27052.html/

Unfortunately, it has already been sold. Asking price was $439.95. I would have thought it would have sold for more. I don't see a date for the sale. It appears to be the same model as what Oswald used. It does show that the "Oswald model" does occasionally become available if one keeps an eye out and gets lucky. Had I seen this ad before the rifle was sold, I would have been sorely tempted. I wonder how many of these are in private hands right now.

Yep, that’s getting into a reasonable price range. If it sold for that price anytime recently, it might be an indication that interest in the JFK assassination is declining substantially. At least we can hope these become more affordable for us regular folks.