A scarce and interesting Italian folding bayonet designed for the Mannlicher–Carcano Model 1891/38 rifle. This pattern was engineered to remain attached to the rifle and fold neatly alongside the fore-end when not in use. Because of this design, many examples encountered today are found without their original scabbards, as the bayonet typically remained fixed to the weapon and the separate scabbards were often lost or discarded over time.

This is a compact and clever little design typical of late Carcano development. Compact and well engineered, these folding bayonets represent an interesting variation within the Carcano bayonet family and are always sought after by collectors of Second World War Italian militaria.

Blade

The bayonet carries its original narrow knife blade with a fuller running along each side. The blade remains clean and bright overall. It appears to have seen period sharpening, though it does not show the heavy signs of crude post-war sharpening sometimes encountered. The blade is best described as an honest service example, structurally sound and still presenting well.

Hilt & Grips

The wooden grips show normal service wear with a few small chips visible but remain solid overall. The grips retain their original four screws and washers. On the spine of the hilt the serial number 23889 is clearly stamped.

The rifle retaining button is strong and functioning correctly. The blade folds and locks as it should. When opened into the fixed position there is a small amount of movement in the blade, which is commonly encountered on these folding examples, though the spring mechanism remains strong and fully operational.

Scabbard

No scabbard is present. These bayonets were designed to remain attached to the rifle and fold into position when not in use, and as a result many examples found today are encountered without their original scabbards as they were often separated or lost over time.

Overall

A good, honest example of the Italian Mannlicher–Carcano Model 91/38 folding bayonet. Showing typical service wear but remaining mechanically sound, with the folding mechanism working as it should. A neat and collectible WWII piece that displays well.

Historical Note

The folding bayonet was introduced with the Mannlicher–Carcano Model 1891/38 rifle, a simplified development of the earlier Carcano rifle system. Italy adopted this design in the late 1930s in an effort to streamline production and improve battlefield practicality.

The folding bayonet allowed the soldier to keep the blade permanently attached to the rifle, eliminating the risk of losing a detachable bayonet and speeding deployment in combat. When not required, the blade simply folded back alongside the rifle’s fore-end. These rifles and their folding bayonets saw service with Italian forces during the Second World War across multiple theatres.

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