Did Captain Fritz show Mr Oswald a Mauser?

[Walt Cakebread]

Thanks for that Richard.
My line of thought was that the Carcano couldn't be mistaken for a "sporterized" deer hunting rifle.
I'm assuming the stock of the Carcano was 'original' and that it hadn't been modifed.

The Carcan does not lend itself to easy conversion to a "sporterized hunting rifle'   The Carcano does not have a well designed high quality action that is strong, and smooth with a tight trigger.   IMO the major problem is the fact that the bolt cocks on the opening rather than the closure of the bolt.   This design makes it impossible to fire the carcano rapidly and accurately.

The opening of the bolt of the carcano, with a spent shell is sticky and it causes the shooter to pull the muzzle waaaay off target ....

[Mitch Todd]

Thanks for that Richard.
My line of thought was that the Carcano couldn't be mistaken for a "sporterized" deer hunting rifle.
I'm assuming the stock of the Carcano was 'original' and that it hadn't been modifed.

Richard who?

[Dan O'meara]

Richard who?

 
Really sorry Mitch
You've got the same avatar as Richard Smith.
My bad

[Bill Chapman]

Typically, it means that someone took an old military bolt action rifle and shortened the barrel and/or forestock. Sometimes the military-style stock was replaced with a commercial rifle stock. A scope was often part of the equation, but not always.

For reference, two m1903 Springfield rifles, first an original then a sporter (these might be a bit big):

swap these if you want

[Bill Chapman]

Really sorry Mitch
You've got the same avatar as Richard Smith.
My bad

Neither of them that good-looking 

[Dan O'meara]

Hi Mitch,

Do you think the Carcano could be mistaken for a 'sporterized' Mauser?
Does the Carcano look 'sporterized' in any way?

[Mitch Todd]

Hi Mitch,

Do you think the Carcano could be mistaken for a 'sporterized' Mauser?
Does the Carcano look 'sporterized' in any way?

No. The Carcano is a stock military bolt-action rifle, and it looks the part. I can't see how anyone who knows what a sporter is would think the Carcano is a sporter.

[Walt Cakebread]

No. The Carcano is a stock military bolt-action rifle, and it looks the part. I can't see how anyone who knows what a sporter is would think the Carcano is a sporter.

 The Carcano is a stock military bolt-action rifle, and it looks the part.

You're right Mitch....Except you forgot that the rifle that was found in the TSBD had a scope mounted.   That scope was NOT standard as issued part of the rifle.  As a matter of fact, The cheap scope was hastily and sloppily attached to the Carcano's that Klein's sold  to enhance  the sales appeal.  In reality that POS scope was a hindrance to the firing of the rifle ...It DID NOT enhance the accuracy or the utility of the rifle in any way.    However that scope was great for duping the gullible public.  The police investigators boldly  proclaimed that the rifle was a deadly accurate weapon with a telescopic sight.