Manuals
FIAT Model 1924 Manual
My knowledge of Italian machine guns is rather lacking, so I was pretty excited when I received a copy of a FIAt Model 1924 manual from our friend Hrachya. However, it has really created more […]
Italy
Bolt Action Rifles
Type I Carcano (Video)
One of the less common Japanese rifles of the WWII era is the Type I (pronounced “Type Eye”). The Japanese Imperial Army and Navy procured small arms independently of each other, and the Army received […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Vintage Saturday: You Sent Us What?
Italy sent a bunch of surplus 7.35mm Carcano carbines to Finland as military aid against the USSR – these Finns are pulling them right out of the shipping crates (note the “KAL 7/35” on the […]
Light MGs
Quote of the Week: Vladimir Peniakoff
Speaking about his time leading a group of Arab soldiers in Libya prior to his involvement in the LRDG: We also obtained captured Italian machine guns: these weapons of a new design of extreme ingenuity, […]
Revolver
Getting That Last One…
No at matter how close you think you are, it seems that a proper gun collection can never really be complete. The closer you get to having a one of each necessary example of whatever […]
Aircraft MGs
Richard Wray Machine Gun Auction Followup
So, the auction of the late Richard Wray’s machine gun collection (see previous post) was yesterday, with the non-NFA guns being auctioned today. The final prices are interesting to look at, with some wallet-wrenchingly high […]
Light MGs
Vintage Saturday: Italians in the Snow
Italian soldiers on the Russian Front, with a Breda M30 machine gun and a Carcano carbine. Thanks to Max Popenker for the photo!
Light MGs
Vintage Saturday: Unsure
Forcemen of 5-2, First Special Service Force, with an M1941 Johnson light machine gun on the Anzio beachhead, Italy, April 1944. They are in the process of disassembling (or reassembling) the gun. Thanks to Michael […]
Submachine Guns
Additional Photos: Orita
I had a different post planned for today, but Michael Heidler sent me some additional photos of the recently-discussed Orita submachine guns that ought to be shared. They are both of the second model, but […]
Submachine Guns
The TZ-45: Italy’s Late-War SMG with a Special Safety
Today’s article is another guest piece from Michael Heidler, author of several very useful books for the collector. This time, he is taking a look at the Italian TZ-45 submachine gun, and it’s unusual implementation […]