Moschetto
Here is an Italian "Moschetto 91 Cavalleria" very particular.
It was made for Mussolini's personal guard "Moschettieri del Duce", a volunteer corp created in 1923 from a branch of MVSN (Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale, really a fascist police).
Initially composed by 30 men, they became 200 in 1938.
They were equipped with a special black/silver uniform and their weapon was this carbine.
The carbines were made along the time (1923-1938) depending the increasing number of Moschettieri (and were personal) and taking them out from normal production.
So total production was 200 carbines (ONLY !!!).
This is a normal "91 Cavalleria" in cal. 6,5x52 (6,5 Carcano) with the following special features :
Stock : in black stained beech.
Frame, barrel and folding bayonet : blued.
Buttplate, front sling swivel, bolt and magazine : nickel plated.
A "fascio with axe" over the word DUX engraved and inlaid with silver wire over the chamber
A leather black stained sling with polished buckle and button.
A quite rare item.
E.
