Original Item: Only One Available. This was a very effective Short musket in its day, referred to as a PIONEER Carbine or Musketoon. These were used by the powerful Italian State of Piedmont-Sardinia, which later went on to become the founding state of a unified Italy. After the unification, production continued, later with a rifled barrel such as this example has.

These carbines were based on the earlier M-1844 Piedmontese Musket, itself based on the Model 1822 French Flintlock Musket. The early versions of this model retained the “back action” lock, but later examples such as this have a side action lock. The lock plate is marked with the Royal Italian Coat of Arms, which was originally that of the House of Savoy, the Rulers of Piedmont-Sardinia. Under this it is marked TORINO / 1866, for manufacture at the Royal Italian Arsenal in Turin, in the mountains of the Piedmont region.

It has brass mounts including trigger guard, barrel band and unique nose cap, while the butt plate is iron. The Carbine is fitted to accept a sword bayonet to be mounted on the right hand side via a large bayonet bar mounted on the muzzle via two iron rings. The bayonet bar accepted a heavy brass-hilted bayonet that was similar in appearance to the British Brunswick pattern bayonet. It still has its original

All over pepper and salt condition on the iron/steel parts and fitted with a very nice walnut stock which is in excellent condition. There is of course the expected dings and dents from long service, but it does present very nicely. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. We checked the bore, and it is quite worn, with a lot of oxidation. There is some rifling still visible in places, but we have not made any attempt to clean the bore.

In very nice condition this is a rare example of the Italian City State's weapons, still in production after the unification. Cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1866
Caliber: About .75" at the muzzle - rifled
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 27 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 42 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.