91/38 Gardone Carcano Cavalry Carbine (HK 8mm Conversion)

chrisftk

Moderator²
Staff member
I bought this carbine off a good friend recently. Chuck posted it over a decade ago and thought I would post a more complete and updated spread, including internals.


Beutewaffen are one of the things I still seek out for the WW2 era, so I'd always wanted one of these. Some HK features are a little different, but still legitimate.
-German recoil lug
-German front sight
-Barrel bored out to 8mm
-Bolt face modification
-HK stamp on the receiver
-German SN on receiver (H prefix fits standard)
-Fireproof on right side of barrel
-Stock stamped on the left side and force matched
-Bolt EP'ed to match (took a second shot in sunlight to better show it)
-7,9 chamber stamp
-Wood magazine block
-Ingolstadt depot stamp on underside of stock.

I'm unsure of the significance of the star marking in front of the Gardone VT stamp-- appears to have been stamped over a scrub

Here's the picture spread:

Photoroom-20250705_203015_24.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_2.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_3.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_23.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_22.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_21.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_20.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_19.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_18.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_17.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_15.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_14.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_13.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_203015_16.jpgPhotoroom-20250705_221821066.jpg
 
It’s a super example of a pretty scarce rifle. I am glad that its riding with you now Chris. It really fits your collection better than mine…. Enjoy😎
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdt
My best guess for the star is that there was a machining error with the barrel and the stamp indicates the flaw was accepted by the military. The "Gardone" appears to be stamped over the area.

Nice textbook example and depot marked too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jdt
Back
Top