The Gun That Was Used By Oswald

[G-Man]

Well, almost.  I inherited an Italian Carcano rifle that is very similar in style and year of the Carcano Oswald used to shoot Kennedy.  The rifle is in OK shape.  Everything is present including the strap.  There may have been a bayonet at one point but not now.  The bolt moves as it should.  I very lightly cleaned things with WD40 and all seems in working order.  Looking down the barrel, though, it looks a little rough.  It could just be surface oxidation.  Can anyone recommend a solution or cleaner that I can use to clean the inside of the barrel?

This rifle uses a cartridge that I found on the web that holds 6 rounds and you can preload 1 in the chamber.  I watched professionals fire the rifle on YouTube.  I can see why Italy didn’t do too well in the wars.  They are accurate, but a bit cumbersome when cycling through the rounds. 



Rifle is very similar to this one.  Has a green strap and ramrod is present.

[Jess from VA]

If the cleaning rod is good, all you need is a brass brush and patch holder and some cleaning patches (that should each screw to the end of the rod), and some bore solvent.  If the original cleaning rod is unthreaded for cleaning tools, you will need a modern cleaning rod that is (one piece is better than multi pieces).  Get one long enough for the barrel, but not super long as this is like working with a fishing pole.

Remove the bolt (from the rear), and clean from the breach (not from the barrel).  

The Carcano was 6.5mm, so you need a brush for .26 caliber.  The picture is a full size/length rifle, Oswald used the shorter carbine Carcano (I think).  



Bore cleaner CLP (clean, lube, preserve) is good for clean and oil of whole rifle.
https://www.amazon.com/BreakFree-CLP4-BF-CLP4-CLP-Liquid/dp/B0002IKDQ6

Straight bolts are not as user friendly as curved ones.

Before you shoot with modern (or any) ammo, you may want to have headspace checked by a smith.  Excessive headspace (how a cartridge seats in the breach of the barrel) can be dangerous in Militray Surples rifles.  https://criterionbarrels.com/media/what-is-headspace-and-why-should-it-be-checked/?v=7516fd43adaa

Or, sandbag the rifle on a bench and shoot with a string to the trigger and if nothing blows up, look carefully at the spent brass for any case bulges near the base/rim of the cartridge.  Damaged case heads from spent rounds means bad (excessive/eroded) headspace.   Still wear eye protection.

If you call Midway USA, you can get to talk to someone who will know what you need.

https://www.midwayusa.com/brushes-swabs-and-mops/br?cid=8873

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/03/06/65x52mm-carcano-steinel-ammunition/

Be careful of surplus ammo, it's probably ancient.  You can get a hang or squib fire where the bullet hangs up in the barrel.  If you shoot another round behind it, the barrel will probably rupture and explode.  A hangfire bullet must be punched out of the barrel with the cleaning rod (and screw up the threads).  

[Serk]

Very nice! The Carcano is one of only 2 rifles I still need to complete my collection of main battle rifles of primary nations of WWII (The other being a Japanese Arisaka, but I'm holding out for one with the cyrsthasemum in tact, which drives the price up quite high.)

[G-Man]

Very nice! The Carcano is one of only 2 rifles I still need to complete my collection of main battle rifles of primary nations of WWII (The other being a Japanese Arisaka, but I'm holding out for one with the cyrsthasemum in tact, which drives the price up quite high.)

I have no emotional attachment and would much rather have a lever action 30 - 30 or something like that.

This rifle is in so-so condition.  There are nicks and scratches on the stock, no gauges or cracks.  lots of Patina.  good markings on everything so figuring out model and year should be easy enough for someone in the know.

My Dad says he fired it, and it was very loud.  But that was at least 20 years ago.  I might take it to a local gunsmith for a looksee.  I gotta find out the rule here in NY.  I had to get a background check when I bought my shotgun.  I wonder if I have to jump through hoops to keep this one?  I don't want to take it a shop and have it confiscated because I didn't get another background check or register it or something. 

[G-Man]

If the cleaning rod is good, all you need is a brass brush and patch holder and some cleaning patches (that should each screw to the end of the rod), and some bore solvent.  If the original cleaning rod is unthreaded for cleaning tools, you will need a modern cleaning rod that is (one piece is better than multi pieces).  Get one long enough for the barrel, but not super long as this is like working with a fishing pole.

Remove the bolt (from the rear), and clean from the breach (not from the barrel).  

The Carcano was 6.5mm, so you need a brush for .26 caliber.  The picture is a full size/length rifle, Oswald used the shorter carbine Carcano (I think).  



Bore cleaner CLP (clean, lube, preserve) is good for clean and oil of whole rifle.
https://www.amazon.com/BreakFree-CLP4-BF-CLP4-CLP-Liquid/dp/B0002IKDQ6

Straight bolts are not as user friendly as curved ones.

Before you shoot with modern (or any) ammo, you may want to have headspace checked by a smith.  Excessive headspace (how a cartridge seats in the breach of the barrel) can be dangerous in Militray Surples rifles.  https://criterionbarrels.com/media/what-is-headspace-and-why-should-it-be-checked/?v=7516fd43adaa

Or, sandbag the rifle on a bench and shoot with a string to the trigger and if nothing blows up, look carefully at the spent brass for any case bulges near the base/rim of the cartridge.  Damaged case heads from spent rounds means bad (excessive/eroded) headspace.   Still wear eye protection.

If you call Midway USA, you can get to talk to someone who will know what you need.

https://www.midwayusa.com/brushes-swabs-and-mops/br?cid=8873

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/03/06/65x52mm-carcano-steinel-ammunition/

Be careful of surplus ammo, it's probably ancient.  You can get a hang or squib fire where the bullet hangs up in the barrel.  If you shoot another round behind it, the barrel will probably rupture and explode.  A hangfire bullet must be punched out of the barrel with the cleaning rod (and screw up the threads).  

This is good information, thank you!  The rod is a one piece thing that is threaded on one end and has the elongated loop on the other.  It slides into its tube and then screws in securely.  If I keep the rifle, I will definitely get a better cleaning tool.

[Jess from VA]

Gary, you should Google firearm transfers by decedent's estates in New York State and your County. (as you would expect, it looks overly complicated)

It would be good to know if that rifle was ever previously registered or made a part of some paperwork system in New York state (and/or some county) in the past.

You may be able to get some good advice from a local gun shop (but don't take it in with you, just have a conversation about a hypothetical situation).

You may find this site useful.  https://www.nysrpa.org/

Depending on what you decide to do, you might want to refrain from posting about it's transfer on public forums.

Here's a little discussion on head space on a Carcano.  Buying your own headspace gauges may cost as much as the rifle is worth.  https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/6-5-carcano-go-nogo-gauge-for-rent.658384/     If the rifle has been fired in the past with no problems, it's probably OK.  Probably.



  

[G-Man]

You may be able to get some good advice from a local gun shop (but don't take it in with you, just have a conversation about a hypothetical situation).

...........refrain from posting about it's transfer on public forums.

 

Great advice!

[Jess from VA]

I'm glad you took it in the intended spirit, and not as a rebuke (which was not intended).

It's a shame an ancient milsurp bolt gun (that never robbed one bank in it's entire history) gets treated like some kind of dangerous hazardous material.  Many Carcanos were probably only fired a few times, then surrendered.

It's my understanding that there is widespread noncompliance with NYS convoluted laws.  That's probably safer Upstate, and no reason not to exercise due care Downstate.  Medical and Bar licenses are hard to come by.

A licensed gunsmith (and/or FFL license holder) may (likely) be required to log it into his books and run it through the system on intake.  Homework must precede action.