Italian pistol & rifle?
On a Galesi .22 auto pistol it has the markings of "XX1" on the RH side between the grip and trigger.What does this indicate? The serial no. is 1284xx. The rifle is a Carcano 6.5mm carbine stamped 1941 X1X on the right side of the chamber. What do these Roman numerals mean?
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Hello Webley. These markings do indicate the year of manufacture but the system is a bit complicated by a change in the use of the marking system. Tbe XXI on your Carcano indicates it was manufactured in 1943, the 21st year of Mussolini's rule. Benito took power in 1922 with his march on Rome, so you simply take XIX (19 years) and add it to the start year 1922 and end up with a production year of 1941- could not be simpler! Using the same formula, your Galesi, marked XXI (21 years) was produced in 1943, the last year these markings were used as Benito suddenly found himself unemployed!
To complicate thing a bit, Italian proof houses began using Roman Numerals to indicate test dates in 1954. X (10) being used first and continueing to XXX (30)through 1974 when they went to letter markings. Using this system a pistol marked XXI would have been made in 1965. The easiest way to determine the time frame is to look for a crown marking near the trigger gaurd. Italian law was changed in 1950 to eliminate all references to the former monarchy and the previous crown stamping was replaced by a 5 pointed star. Have you got all of this? I love Italy and most things Italian- but their firearms markings can drive you crazy- Arrivederchi!
Mark T. Christian0
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