SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
TUBO PORTA-MOSCHETTO MOD. 1891
​Saddle holster (Scabbard) for the Italian Cavalry, developed directly from the previous Holster for mod.1870 Cavalry Moschettos. Used to hold the Moschetto mod.91 on the right side of the saddle, protecting it from the elements during transport on horseback.
With circular no. 389 of 10 August 1922 The existing shapes were modified, widening them, to also contain the mod.91 TS carbines with side sling, used by the artillery (often horse-drawn). All subsequent scabbards were produced to hold both cavalry and TS carbines.
Most of the Scabbards currently circulating on the market appear to have been produced in 1935-1936, during the Ethiopian War. Certainly the need for Cavalry and motorized units in that theater required a substantial order of holsters, to be used on quadrupeds and vehicles.
These scabbards are not recommended for inserting mod.38 and 91/38 carbines, as the "fin" sights, which are taller and "sharper" than mod.91 ones, could damage the inside.
CUSTODIA PER MOSCHETTO
Scabbard developed specifically for cyclist units, in particular the Bersaglieri Ciclisti, in the 1920s.
Made of waterproofed hemp, it was closed by two leather straps joined by a buckle and was tied to the bicycle using two bundling straps, one on the scabbard itself and one on the bicycle frame, near the rear wheel.
It was distributed regularly to cycling troops until the end of the Second World War. Some authors claim they were also distributed to motorcyclist troops, but practical evidence of this use is lacking.
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COPRICULATTA PER ARMI MOD.91
Used to cover the action of mod.91 guns from the elements. Intended particularly for cycling troops and troops in colonial theaters.
Two types were issued:
- With button closure, simpler, distributed to regular troops, especially those stationed in colonial theaters.
- With leather strap closure, distributed to cycling troops during the First World War. The leather straps were locked with the same buckle used on the leggings/gaiters of the Bersaglieri Ciclisti.
LANTERNA DA CAMPAGNA PER TRUPPA A PIEDI - MOD.1860
The folding Lantern mod. 1860 was part of the kit of the Italian soldier between 1860 and 1918. With a skeleton made of wood and metal (later only of metal), it could be folded thanks to the use of a tarpaulin arranged "accordion-like", which folds completely flat for transport and which easily protects the candle placed in the center of the candle from wind and other bad weather.
A particular feature of this lantern was a copper tip placed at the top of its handle: this tip, duly wrapped in a cord to make it adhere better, was inserted into the barrel of the rifles, in such a way as to transport the lantern more easily or to be able to support it in case of necessity.
Images taken from manuals and atlases of 1888, still arranged for use on Rifle mod. 1870/87.
LANTERNA DA CAMPAGNA PER TRUPPA A PIEDI - MOD.1910
The folding lantern mod. 1910 replaced the previous bellows lantern mod. 1860, particularly after the outbreak of World War I. Constructed entirely of metal with glass openings, it could be folded using hinges and hooks, flattening it completely for storage in its special canvas case. When assembled in the field, it effectively protected the candle placed at its center from wind and other adverse weather conditions.
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Like its predecessor, this lantern also featured a copper tip at the top of its handle. This tip, securely wrapped in a cord for better grip, could be inserted into the barrel of a rifle for easier transportation or support if necessary.
DISPOSITIVO TAGLIAFILI MOD.91
During the First World War, a very useful and absolutely simple to produce accessory for trench warfare was introduced: the mod.91 wire cutter device.
​This simple accessory was made of folded and shaped sheet metal. It was inserted directly onto the muzzle of a rifle mod. 91 (or on the TS musket) with the bayonet engaged, as illustrated in the photo below. It was held in position with the appropriate spring retainer, positioned behind the front sight.
With this accessory, it was possible to align the barbed wirewith the muzzle of the rifle, in a very automatic way: the bayonet was inserted under the barbed wire, sliding it up to the angular cavity of the device. At this point, by firing an ordinary shot, the wire could be severed, without having to resort to pliers or other accessories.
This accessory had a limited use, since during the First World War tactics required to cut through the enemy fences in stealthy actions, preceding the actual assaults: the infantrymen in the assault didn't had to waste too much time in no man's land, and the more obstacles it was possible to eliminate beforehand, the less time the men had to remain exposed to enemy machine gun and artillery fire.
This device, being quite loud in its use, wasn't really suited for such stealthy actions.
DISPOSITIVO PER MIRE LUMINOSE
​DA APPLICARSI AI FUCILI MOD.91
Two models of night sights were adopted during WW1:
- The first, used since 1916, produced from the patent of Britannio Solaro Del Borgo, filed in February of the same year.
- The second, formally adopted in 1917, developed for the mod.91 weapons, for the maxim mod.1911 machine guns and for the FIAT mod.1914 machine guns.
Made of pressed and shaped sheet steel, these luminous sights for night shooting covered the original sights with a steel sheet "spread with luminous paste", most likely a paste based on luminescent Radium or Tritium.
Del Borgo's Patent and instructions
Drawings of the 1917 Night sight, the second pattern adopted. these are generated based on their descriptions in army manuals.
VERIFICATORE DEL PUNTAMENTO PER ARMI MOD.91
The Royal Italian Army had been using an aiming training device like this 1884, with the adoption of the Reflection Device (Congegno di Riflessione), to verify the aiming of small guns. This device was essentially identical to the one later adopted for the mod.91 weapons, with the difference that the base was faceted to better adhere to the barrel of the mod.70 rifles, that the lateral springs were covered with leather, and that the slide was composed of a steel "column" and a blackened brass casing.
The purpose of this device was for the shooting range instructor to verify the progress of the exercise in real time. To use the device, the instructor placed it on the weapon, behind the sight, aligning it precisely with the breech faces. This positioned the instrument's steel "column" on the left side of the weapon. Then, by pressing on the base of the device, the instructor forced the lower ends of the springs to expand and slide along the walls of the stock in such a way as to fit with the breech of the barrel. The soldier with the device thus arranged aimed the weapon in the prescribed way. Meanwhile, the instructor positioned himself on the right of the soldier, close enough to see through the device. Looking into the slide, he observed the reflection of the rifle and the target. This allowed him to assess the soldier's aim and, more importantly, their ability to hold the weapon steady during the shot.
With the adoption of the mod. 91 rifles, the reflection device continued to be used with minimal modifications; subsequently it was produced specifically for the mod.91 weapons, simplifying it (steel springs not covered, removal of the brass casing, replaced by the folded steel support to provide the casing for the slide) and thus making the old model obsolete, which was formally abolished.
In 1927 with circular no. 308, the weapon aiming checker mod. 91 was formally adopted, although it had already been distributed to the departments for some time.
​After the Second World War, the English Lee Enfield rifles and the US M1 Garand were introduced into the Italian Army, and with them new aiming verifiers adapted to the physiognomy of the new equipment.
MIRA PER TIRO CONTRO AEREOPLANI
Already during the Italian-Turkish War of 1911-12 the Italian Royal Army had the opportunity to experience the importance that aviation would play in future wars: Italian planes and airships carried out bombing and interdiction missions of enemy bases and columns.
Entering war against Austria in 1915 and suffering the first attacks by enemy bombers (in particular the numerous bombings of the city of Venice by Austrian airships) it was realized that it was necessary to develop countermeasures for shooting down airplanes and airships as soon as possible.
One of these countermeasures, in addition to mounting machine guns and cannons on raised mounts, was the development of a rifle sight dedicated to anti-aircraft fire.
Two sights were developed:
- Mira A, with 4 sights, equipped with an S sight for planes coming from the left, a D sight for planes coming from the right, a liftable A sight for receding targets and a small, low front sight B for approaching targets.
- Mira B, with 2 sights, equipped with an S sight for airplanes coming from the left, a D sight for airplanes coming from the right.
The front part of the anti-aircraft sights, the so-called "sight holder", was inserted around the frontend, locking it against the bayonet lug and holding it in position with a wing screw.
The rear sight was instead mounted on the regular rear sight. It was made up of three V-shaped sights: the central one was used for targets below 1000 meters above sea level, while the lateral ones were used to aim (crossing the sights, as shown in the pic on the right) at targets placed above 1000 meters .
The rear sight could slided horizontally, so as to offer only the external rear sight on the left for shooting at approaching or receding aircraft.
As with many other nations, rifle fire against aircraft had to be carried out in tight formations of entire squads or units, in such a way as to be able to create an adequate interdiction fire for an aircraft or airship within range.
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After the First World War most of these devices were declared obsolete and destroyed.
SHOOTING PLATFORMS
From the first days of World War I, the Italian Army recognized the new demands imposed by modern trench warfare. Austrian sniper fire posed a constant threat to the physical and psychological well-being of soldiers. To address this situation, several innovations were considered to sustain covert shots, even 'fixed' gun platforms to aid Italian snipers in their tasks of interdiction and counter-sniping.
APPARATO OLIVIERI PER IL TIRO DEFILATO
Really similar to several contemporary designs, it was patented by Olivieri and tested by the Italian Army in 1916, mass production began shortly after.
The device enabled aiming through an integrated periscope and subsequent reloading via a jointed metal arm that connected to the rifle's bolt. A steel cable attached to the trigger facilitated firing.
AFFUSTO "PITET"
​APPARECCHIO PITET PER ESEGUIRE IL TIRO PREPARATO COL FUCILE
This shooting platform, designed by French Lieutenant Raymond Joseph Léonce Pitet in 1915 for trench warfare, consisted of a wooden case with metal reinforcements for attaching the rifle and spring mechanisms to absorb recoil.
In theory, this platform would have allowed the shooter to increase the weapon's rate of fire to 50 rounds per minute. As the rifle recoiled against the carriage, it automatically returned to its original position, maintaining a fixed firing point. This type of carriage was particularly useful in concealed positions or behind embrasures overlooking strategic locations. Once the weapon was positioned, it was possible to fire quickly and effectively, covering a specific area with precise and timely fire.
FIXED-FIRE PLATFORM
Another example of a fixed-fire platform with a completely metal design. Mounted on an 'S'-shaped frame, it allows for elevation adjustment but not horizontal traverse. The weapon is secured to a slide equipped with recoil dampers using metal attachments fastened with screws and bolts.
