Ct's firstly ask yourself, where does my theory go?

[Walt Cakebread]

What are you talking about, a notch for the bayonet lug to slide into? Please explain this routered out cavity in detail. You already told us that there is about 3/8” of wood between the groove for the bayonet itself (when stored) and the bottom of the barrel. So your descriptions are confusing and seem to be conflicting..

I'm sorry Charles, I posted this ( below) in your text..... I thought I was responding AFTER your text....


Charles you're are thinking....and you're right ...the 5/8"metal barrel is in fact supported by the wooden stock...However in the case of the carcano the barrel is not supported by the wooden stock along the entire length...... There are two "cut outs" the  in the bottom of the barrel channel groove.  The cut outs are routered out elongated holes in the bottom of the barrel grove.  The larger of the two router holes is about four inches long and the other router hole is about 2 1/4 inches long. this shorter router hole is located direct beneath the barrel in the exact place where the 'palm print" is shown in the palm print photo.

Your theory is not possible because the 2 1/4 inch long routered out cavity directly below the area where the palm print is shown to be in the palm print photo ( CE 639)

P.S. The router "cavities" at the bottom of the rifle barrel channel are 3/8" deep....  ie;  the cavities in the bottom of the barrel channel are 3/8" below the barrel when the barrel is in the stock.

[Charles Collins]

I'm sorry Charles, I posted this ( below) in your text..... I thought I was responding AFTER your text....


Charles you're are thinking....and you're right ...the 5/8"metal barrel is in fact supported by the wooden stock...However in the case of the carcano the barrel is not supported by the wooden stock along the entire length...... There are two "cut outs" the  in the bottom of the barrel channel groove.  The cut outs are routered out elongated holes in the bottom of the barrel grove.  The larger of the two router holes is about four inches long and the other router hole is about 2 1/4 inches long. this shorter router hole is located direct beneath the barrel in the exact place where the 'palm print" is shown in the palm print photo.

Your theory is not possible because the 2 1/4 inch long routered out cavity directly below the area where the palm print is shown to be in the palm print photo ( CE 639)

P.S. The router "cavities" at the bottom of the rifle barrel channel are 3/8" deep....  ie;  the cavities in the bottom of the barrel channel are 3/8" below the barrel when the barrel is in the stock.

Thanks, how wide are these routered channels, also 3/8”? And how accurate is the 3/8” measurement? I am thinking that Italy manufacturing would have been on the metric system back then. Can you measure them in millimeters? Also what purpose do these routered cavities serve is the one near the muzzle end of the stock for the bayonet lug to slide into?

[Walt Cakebread]

Thanks, how wide are these routered channels, also 3/8”? And how accurate is the 3/8” measurement? I am thinking that Italy manufacturing would have been on the metric system back then. Can you measure them in millimeters? Also what purpose do these routered cavities serve is the one near the muzzle end of the stock for the bayonet lug to slide into?

Thanks for the questions Charles. I was concerned that I hadn't been very clear about the routered "cavities" in the bottom of the barrel channel, but you apparently have been able to understand......

The two cavities are both 3/8 inches wide and 3/8 inches deep.  Using my digital caliper to measure, they are precisely 10.3mm wide and 10.45mm deep.  The 4 inch long cavity midpoint lies 8 inches back from the front of the wood stock.   And the midpoint of the 2 1/8" long cavity lies 4 1/4 inches to the rear of the front of the stock. 


what purpose do these routered cavities serve--- is the one near the muzzle end of the stock for the bayonet lug to slide into?

I'd guess that the cavities serve to allow the wood to expand and contract ( heat from the barrel, and changes in humidity and weather conditions) By allowing the stock to expand and contract the pressure on the barrel is minimized...thus the accuracy
 of the rifle isn't effected as it would be if the barrel were in contact with the stock over the entire length of the barrel.

[Walt Cakebread]

A picture is worth a thousand words...  Thanks for posting the pics....

[Charles Collins]

Thanks for the questions Charles. I was concerned that I hadn't been very clear about the routered "cavities" in the bottom of the barrel channel, but you apparently have been able to understand......

The two cavities are both 3/8 inches wide and 3/8 inches deep.  Using my digital caliper to measure, they are precisely 10.3mm wide and 10.45mm deep.  The 4 inch long cavity midpoint lies 8 inches back from the front of the wood stock.   And the midpoint of the 2 1/8" long cavity lies 4 1/4 inches to the rear of the front of the stock. 


what purpose do these routered cavities serve--- is the one near the muzzle end of the stock for the bayonet lug to slide into?

I'd guess that the cavities serve to allow the wood to expand and contract ( heat from the barrel, and changes in humidity and weather conditions) By allowing the stock to expand and contract the pressure on the barrel is minimized...thus the accuracy
 of the rifle isn't effected as it would be if the barrel were in contact with the stock over the entire length of the barrel.

Thanks Walt, that information is helpful.

[Charles Collins]

Thanks Jerry, Walt already said exactly what I was going to say. Your diagrams and photos are always well done!

[Walt Cakebread]

You are welcome.

When I came across those pictures this morning, I knew Walt hadn't lost his mind.

I will apply those measurements and router grooves to my model. Also note that the slot in the stock for the bayonet lug goes right up to the barrel chamber.

When I came across those pictures this morning, I knew Walt hadn't lost his mind.

Thanks.... for the left handed compliment.   So now you've acknowledged that " I hadn't lost my mind"...  Another way of saying that you know i am not a Loon...

In the past you have not been so candid.....frequently diagnosing me as "crazy'...

[Charles Collins]

You are welcome.

When I came across those pictures this morning, I knew Walt hadn't lost his mind.

I will apply those measurements and router grooves to my model. Also note that the slot in the stock for the bayonet lug goes right up to the barrel chamber.

Yes, that is the slot that I was asking about way earlier in this thread. I attempted to ask whether it extended past the end of the bayonet lug when the barrel is installed properly in it’s slot. But things got confused and I believe that we ended up discussing the slot for the actual bayonet on the under side of the stock. When you apply that slot to your diagram, we should have an answer I believe. Walt could possibly confirm this on an actual rifle also I believe.