This is a Carcano M1891 which was probably used in WWI by the Italian army. After WWI, the rifle was either aided to Albania during the 1920's and 1930's when there was a strong Italian presence there, or left in Albania when Italy capitulated in WWII. It also was possibly used by a partisan group in Albania. In the Cold War era, many Albanian rifles saw hard external use from heavy mountain climbing, during army or militia maneuvers.
During the 1930's, Albania became more or less entirely under Italian control. The national bank of Albania was based in Italy, and it's reserves were held there. Albania heavily relied on trade with Italy. The Albanian army was basically taken over by Italy, and most the officers were Italian. Bridges and roads were actually built in Albania towards Yugoslavia and Greece, with the intent of future military action.*
Albania's governance before their 1912 declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire was very complicated. Serbia (and Montenegro) occupied northern parts of Albania in the Second Balkan War, left, and re-invaded in WWI until their general retreat; while Greece used terror and trickery to make "Northern Epirus" (southern Albania) a fictitiously Greek-settled area until Italian troops caused their retreat in WWI. The Great Powers assured Albanian independence and borders, but did little to give their supported government under the Prince of Wied any military might. Thus Albania suffered a handful of other governments, and actions by rebels, which resulted in the Prince leaving after 6 months of rule of a small area in central Albania.**
Before WWI, Italy and Austria-Hungary were often at odds about the vagaries of the new Albanian country. But later, it appeared Italy had their own designs on Albania. Case in point was Essad Bey Pasha, a landowner and former Turkish general from the Durazzo area. Italy removed him from Albania; Sarrail, the French commander of the Salonika Army, brought him to Salonika. The French recognized Essad in his self-bestowed title of Albanian President, and he set up a miniature government. Some 500 Albanian irregulars were trained in Italy and sent to Salonika, and Sarrail unexpectedly put them under Essad's command, angering the Italians.
On Sept 7, 1917, Essad and his men assisted a ragtag French division in capturing the Albanian town of Pogradec; they captured 414 men and a large amount of materiel. After this victory, Essad's men raided behind enemy lines, where 156 prisoners were captured. His troops were familiar with the terrain, and fought well.
Before Sarrail could exploit the auspicious Albanian sector, and flank enemy Monastir to the east, Paris ordered him to cease operations. The Italians, and even the Greeks and Serbs, were angry. They thought Essad was Sarrail's tool to French control of Albania, and exploiting its resources. The Italians on June 3, 1917, had even preemptively declared Albania independent. . . under "protection" of the Italian government. The Serbs and Italians both demanded large forces moved to Albania, and Sarrail would not do so.***
The "CAI ST ALB VT M91 6.5 ITALY" import stamp, on the barrel, proves this Carcano was imported from Albania. The blued bolt is also distinctly Albanian on Carcanos. The condition of this rifle is good overall for something from Albania. The bolt (of a later model curved bolt stem), stock, and handguard (of different wood type) are mismatched. The bore is good. The cleaning rod will not screw in. The rifle is still oily from storage.
*. I quote The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804-1999 by Misha Glenny, Viking Penguin, 2000.
**. I quote Albania Past and Present by Constantine Anastasi Chekrezi, The Macmillan Company, 1919.
***. I quote The Gardeners of Salonika by Alan Palmer, Simon and Schuster, 1965.
During the 1930's, Albania became more or less entirely under Italian control. The national bank of Albania was based in Italy, and it's reserves were held there. Albania heavily relied on trade with Italy. The Albanian army was basically taken over by Italy, and most the officers were Italian. Bridges and roads were actually built in Albania towards Yugoslavia and Greece, with the intent of future military action.*
Albania's governance before their 1912 declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire was very complicated. Serbia (and Montenegro) occupied northern parts of Albania in the Second Balkan War, left, and re-invaded in WWI until their general retreat; while Greece used terror and trickery to make "Northern Epirus" (southern Albania) a fictitiously Greek-settled area until Italian troops caused their retreat in WWI. The Great Powers assured Albanian independence and borders, but did little to give their supported government under the Prince of Wied any military might. Thus Albania suffered a handful of other governments, and actions by rebels, which resulted in the Prince leaving after 6 months of rule of a small area in central Albania.**
Before WWI, Italy and Austria-Hungary were often at odds about the vagaries of the new Albanian country. But later, it appeared Italy had their own designs on Albania. Case in point was Essad Bey Pasha, a landowner and former Turkish general from the Durazzo area. Italy removed him from Albania; Sarrail, the French commander of the Salonika Army, brought him to Salonika. The French recognized Essad in his self-bestowed title of Albanian President, and he set up a miniature government. Some 500 Albanian irregulars were trained in Italy and sent to Salonika, and Sarrail unexpectedly put them under Essad's command, angering the Italians.
On Sept 7, 1917, Essad and his men assisted a ragtag French division in capturing the Albanian town of Pogradec; they captured 414 men and a large amount of materiel. After this victory, Essad's men raided behind enemy lines, where 156 prisoners were captured. His troops were familiar with the terrain, and fought well.
Before Sarrail could exploit the auspicious Albanian sector, and flank enemy Monastir to the east, Paris ordered him to cease operations. The Italians, and even the Greeks and Serbs, were angry. They thought Essad was Sarrail's tool to French control of Albania, and exploiting its resources. The Italians on June 3, 1917, had even preemptively declared Albania independent. . . under "protection" of the Italian government. The Serbs and Italians both demanded large forces moved to Albania, and Sarrail would not do so.***
The "CAI ST ALB VT M91 6.5 ITALY" import stamp, on the barrel, proves this Carcano was imported from Albania. The blued bolt is also distinctly Albanian on Carcanos. The condition of this rifle is good overall for something from Albania. The bolt (of a later model curved bolt stem), stock, and handguard (of different wood type) are mismatched. The bore is good. The cleaning rod will not screw in. The rifle is still oily from storage.
*. I quote The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804-1999 by Misha Glenny, Viking Penguin, 2000.
**. I quote Albania Past and Present by Constantine Anastasi Chekrezi, The Macmillan Company, 1919.
***. I quote The Gardeners of Salonika by Alan Palmer, Simon and Schuster, 1965.