*SOLD* 1942 FNA Brescia M91/38 6.5x52 Blue *COLLECTIBLE SPECIAL TROOPS CARBINE*

Bryant Ridge's Analysis:

The Brescia Arsenal, located in Brescia, Italy, served as a major center of small arms production for the Regio Esercito (Royal Italian Army) from the early 19th century through the end of World War II. Originally built as a Servite convent in the 15th century, the site was secularized during the Napoleonic era and repurposed as military barracks. By 1812, it began producing firearms, and over time, it became one of Italy’s principal arms manufacturing facilities, especially known for its role in the production of the Carcano series of rifles and carbines. Among the most distinctive rifles produced at Brescia was the Moschetto per Truppe Speciali (TS), or “Carbine for Special Troops.” Officially adopted in July 1893, the TS was intended for artillery units, engineers, and other support troops who required a lighter, more compact weapon than the standard infantry rifle. Production at Brescia began around 1897 and continued through the early 1920s, making the arsenal the primary early manufacturer of this specialized carbine. 
 
The Moschetto TS featured a shorter barrel, a full-length stock extending nearly to the muzzle, a protective upper handguard, and a standard bayonet lug compatible with the infantry rifle’s bayonet. It retained the same bolt-action system and 6-round en-bloc clip as the full-length Modello 91, and was initially chambered in the standard 6.5×52mm Carcano cartridge. The TS was praised for its balance between compactness and reliability, well-suited for troops not engaged in direct infantry combat but still in need of a dependable service rifle. Throughout the interwar period and into World War II, the TS underwent several updates and conversions. Many earlier carbines were refurbished as M91/24 TS and M91/28 TS, and later variants such as the M38 TS and M91/38 TS were introduced. The M38 TS was originally chambered in 7.35×51mm Carcano, part of an Italian effort to replace the 6.5mm round with a more powerful cartridge. 
 
However, logistical constraints soon led to a return to the 6.5×52mm caliber, resulting in the M91/38 TS, a simplified version of the original carbine once again chambered in the standard 6.5mm round. Though other arsenals—such as Terni, Gardone, and private firms like Beretta—would eventually take over production, the early Moschetto TS models from Brescia laid the groundwork for Italy’s carbine program. Compact, rugged, and versatile, the TS exemplified the Italian military’s effort to provide purpose-built firearms to specialized troops across its armed forces.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: F.N.A. Brescia
Model: M91/38 Special Troop Carbine 
Serial: D1620
Date of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: 6.5x52 Carcano
Finish: Blue 
Barrel Length: 17 3/4"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with V-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut 
Action: Bolt-Action 
Markings: Standard 

Aug 5th 2025 Bryant Ridge

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