In 1891 Italy officially adopted the Model 91 rifle in 6.5x52mm. The Model 38 Carcano adopted in 1938 is a turn-bolt, modified Mauser design. The Model 38 is an updated Model 1891 designed to use the 7.35x52 cartridge. When Italy ran into supply problems they reverted back to the Model 91's military cartridge and started producing the Model 38 for the 6.5x52 cartridge.
The Mannlicher designation comes from the fact that the rifle uses a Mannlicher-type magazine system.
There are several variations and calibers of the Italian Mannlicher-Carcano m 38 Carbine (generic label) including:
Short Rifle (Fucile corto);
Special Troop (TS);
Cavalry (Cavalleria).
The most famous Carcano Model 38 was the one allegedly used by Lee Harvey Oswald on November 22, 1963 to assassinate President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.
