HONOR GUARD CARCANOS
MOSCHETTIERI DEL DUCE
The Fascist regime, led by Benito Mussolini ("Il Duce"), established a unique elite unit known as the "Moschettieri del Duce", "Duce's Musketeers" on February 11, 1923. This corps drew its personnel from the ranks of the National Security Volunteer Militia (MVSN), a paramilitary organization supporting the Fascist party.
As service was considered a privilege, the Musketeers received no pay and maintained their primary jobs. They fulfilled their duties in shifts during their free time.
The primary responsibility of the Musketeers was to provide an honor guard for the Fascist Grand Council sessions. Additionally, they participated in public appearances of the Duce, adding a touch of spectacle and elite presence. Their distinctive uniforms, custom-tailored at the Duce's office expense, further distinguished them.
With Italy's entry into World War II, the Musketeers yearned to contribute directly to the war effort. In recognition of their desire, the unit was disbanded in 1940, allowing the members to enlist in active combat roles.
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The Duce's Musketeers represent a specific aspect of the Fascist regime's focus on visual representation and elite imagery. Their unique uniform and duties offer a glimpse into the way the regime sought to project power and control. They had unique black uniforms and uniquely decorated carbines, with chromed bolt, magazine and frontend, while having the stock painted black, in order to match their uniform.
​Many of these guns are in circulation among collectors, and many fakes surged along the years.
CARABINIERI GUARDIE DEL RE
​(CORAZZIERI)
In 1868, on the festive occasion of Crown Prince Umberto's wedding in Florence, then the capital of Italy, a new unit was born: the Carabinieri Guards of the King, more commonly known as the Cuirassiers.
The unit quickly became permanent, and by 1870, a visual upgrade further enhanced their presence. The original, darker breastplates and helmets were swapped for shinier, more eye-catching versions. The size of the unit also grew, expanding from eighty to one hundred men, each meeting the minimum height requirement of one meter and eighty-two centimeters.
Their weaponry needed to be as impressive as their uniforms, so a special iteration of the standard Vetterli rifle was adopted for the Royal Carabinieri: this modified version featured brass embellishments, giving the impression of gold on key parts, while other elements were crafted entirely from brass.
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This distinguished rifle served the Cuirassiers until 1899, when the obsolete Vetterli was phased out in favor of the more modern M 1891 rifle.
This time, a unique version derived from the 91TS was created, christened the "Moschetto mod. 1891 per Carabinieri Guardie del Re", Affectionately nicknamed the "91 Corazzieri".
This rifle retained the Vetterli's signature front mouthpiece design, however, the magazine box, butt plate (with a slightly enlarged top section), and rear sight base were all fashioned with brass plating, drawing inspiration from the 91TS dimensions and metal parts. The bolt handle and upper safety lever received the same brass plating treatment. The stock itself was slightly longer than the standard TS, and each weapon bore a unique serial number – one positioned between the barrel and stock, another beneath the breech.
Additionally, a number corresponding to the assigned Cuirassier was marked inside the rear sight base. The manufacturing date and factory name were also etched onto the carbine for record-keeping purposes.
GUARDIA PERSONALE
DEL VICERE' D'ETIOPIA
AMEDEO DUCA D'AOSTA
On October 21st 1937, after the conquest of Ethiopia, the Duke of Aosta, Amedeo Umberto di Savoia-Aosta was proclamed Viceroy of Italian East Africa (Africa Orientale Italiana).
For such occasion and for this distinct role, the Duke decided to issue to his brand new honor guard (about 100 men, officers included) a specific mod.91 carbine, purposefully built and embellished with brass plating of the receiver, frontend, bayonet button and with silver decorations enriching the stock. Officers received a further embellished carbine, along with highly decorated mod.34 handguns.
About 100 guns were made in 1939 by Beretta, serial range goes from C8000 to C8100.
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These guns remained in Ethiopia with the Viceroy until its final surrendering in 1941, when he was taken prisoner by the british. About 40 of these guns are known and still in circulation among collectors, with many fakes surging along the years, but surely more original are yet to be discovered, hidden in private collections.