Right then lads,
Vickers on the back burner while I try to get unstuck!
As I've ordered my Italian Uniform while I'm waiting for it I thought I'd look at sorting a decent rifle to go with it. Now even though the carbine 1891 version was more common place in the Bersaglieri there was wide use of the Carcano M38 despite the different size calibre and fixed sight. I also happen to think this looks the best and the parts are available (unlike other variants for some reason). Got the parts coming from around the world and I have a newly acquired tm vsr for my base rifle. Be updating soon
Looks like it'll be an interesting build. Can't wait to see how it turns out. 
Thanks! Though I think the first compromise is the obvious position of the bolt, with the limited play in the vsr its going to have to go in the usual place rather than in the middle of the bolt, unless any clever gentlemen have any idea's?
ooo, another funky rifle on the make. I know there are projects for a Berthier and a Wz.29 on the go at the moment too. Most of our discussions have been about magazine size and placement.
I feel that I might be stating the obvious here, but I think I may have a solution to the issue of bolt handle placement.
I been thinking that you could have a little rectangular piece of steel plate, that curves with the shape of the VSR bolt, that is attached to the "cocking piece" that is to the rear of where the standard VSR bolt is (with me so far?). My thinking is that you can then weld/glue/rivet the Carcano bolt handle to the steel plate and bobs your uncle, the bolt is in the same place as the real steel's would be.
I could do some diagrams if needed?
I feel that I might be stating the obvious here, but I think I may have a solution to the issue of bolt handle placement.
I been thinking that you could have a little rectangular piece of steel plate, that curves with the shape of the VSR bolt, that is attached to the "cocking piece" that is to the rear of where the standard VSR bolt is (with me so far?). My thinking is that you can then weld/glue/rivet the Carcano bolt handle to the steel plate and bobs your uncle, the bolt is in the same place as the real steel's would be.
I could do some diagrams if needed?
Think I'm with you but would love a diagram, cheers mate. Just started cutting the stock today, linseed it too
Okie dokie, I'll try and get some diagrams drawn and posted by the end of the weekend. Looking forward to seeing this build!
Update: Some fellas may have seen the semi finished product at Copenhagen, well I have received the sling swivel and bayonet lug this weekends and I'm pretty happy with it, to the point where i think its done.
I've obviously had to compromise as there isn't in my mind a way to fix the cocking handle to the cylinder as the cylinder doesn't twist so thats had to stay where it is on the vsr, and unfortunately in the place the cool little safety catch would have been, but alas I had no choice. Apart from that its accurate in size and shape, lots of original parts ive scoured the internet for, everything thats not obviously a vsr part, such as fixed rear sight, wood furniture, cocking piece on the rear of the cylinder, magazine well and front sight and blade. I've fabricated the barrel, co.cking handle and obviously the mag well.
Stock tm vsr internals except for upgrade in sears and piston, shooting 340 fps, and accurate as hell, so all in all not a bad build
Looking forward to shooting some brits and yanks with it on saturday 
That is a superb job, fella!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
ooh hope to see it sunday 
Looks amazing! Nice one
I didn't realise it wasn't finished at Copenhagen! 
It looked great then, and looks even better now
Excellent, Dan. Most Excellent.
Thanks guys
Very nicely done ,the only practicle way to have the cockig handle in the correct place would have been to move everything forward and had a linkage to the trigger and a very short barrel,or if you used a mosin nagant as donor it could have been done ,on balance it was the right choice you made and it looks natural the way it is,it would be painfull killing a nagant ,well done .
armoury
m1a1 Thompson,sten mk2,mp40,stg44,sterling,mk2 bren gun,lee Enfield no4 mk1,Mauser Kar98, Walther ppk,smith and Weston m10 and Mauser m712
Give me a big enough hammer and a place to stand and I could fix the world.
i'll kill a man in a fair fight or if i think he's going to start a fair fight or over a woman or.......
a problem shared is a problem halved ,but an advantage shared is no advantage at all
if a job's not worth doing then its certainly not worth doing well
Sorry dadio only just seen your reply!
I hadn't thought about using a mosin as a donor, but like you say it would have been to painful to pull apart, I had thought about lengthening like you suggested but the thought of the work it would take and thinking that the hop wouldn't have fit in the top furniture any further down. Its the best I could have done I think. I'm blown away by your builds and the skill you have, especially with metal, they are great inspiration, maybe I should do a few decades of evening classes and i'll try Breda Modello 30
