Original Italian WWII ONB Fascist Youth Balilla Blank Firing M1891 Carcano Child’s Training Carbine by FNA
This is a very nice "Child-Sized" blank firing Carcano Model 1891 Carbine, officially termed the Moschetto Regolomentare Ballila Modelo 1891 (Balilla Regulatory Musket Modelo 1891). These scaled-down Mannlicher-Carcano pattern bolt-action carbines were intended for Italian Fascist Youth training, used by the Opera Nazonale Balilla (ONB), 1926-1937 and the follow-on Gioventù Italiana del Littorio (GIL) through WWII. Intended to only fire a 6mm blank cartridge, these diminutive “Ballila” pieces were also fitted with an equally small folding bayonet at the end of their 14-inch barrel. Not intended for any actual firing use, these were intended to instill an esprit de corps in the youths who used them. They also provided a way of training the youths in the handling and care of rifles, and for this reason many, such as this example, have rifled barrels, so they could learn to clean fouling from the blanks. The youngest of these groups intended to receive training were only 6-8 years old and were mustered as units called Figli del Lupa(Children of the She Wolf.) Hence the carbines needed to be quite lightweight.
This example was produced in 1931, as marked on the end of the "barrel", along with the production information:
Most of these were made by Toy manufacturers, however this example was made at the Fabbrica Nazonale d'Armi (National Army Factory or FNA) in Brescia, a city with a long history of firearms production.
29 ¾ Inches long / Original / Comes with tiny cleaning rod / Missing end cap and bayonet / Working order
