Carcano Model 91/24 Carbine

Carcano Model 91/24 bolt action carbine. Hexagonal knox form stamped 918 ROMA OR-O and the serial number. Full wood stock and top hand guard with a bayonet boss end cap. Rear sight broken. Missing the butt swivel bar, shoulder plate and cleaning rod.

Stoker John Francis Sevenoaks was born 14 April 1922 at Waverly, NSW. He enlisted in the Navy on 14 Oct 1941. From February to October 1945 Sevenoaks served with the Military Intelligence Section, General Headquarters, United States Army Forces.He served with Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1321around New Guinea and northern Australia. This carbine was acquired by Stoker Sevenoaks on 21 March 1945 while attached to Z Special Force. Stoker Sevenoaks was part of a small party led by Captain Ernie Palmer that infiltrated a plantation located in Jaqinot Bay to search for remaining Japanese Army personnel. The infiltration party was spotted by a Japanese soldiers sitting at a table with the plantation owner. The Japanese soldier fled into the jungle. Sevenoaks fired at him but missed. The owner ran in the opposite direction. They left behind the Italian Carcano carbine behind. The plantation owner later told the Australian party that there was a small band of Japanese soldiers in the area who were friendly to him. They knew the area well and the plantation owner felt that the Australian party had little chance of finding them. As Stoker Sevenoaks was the only member of the party to fire a shot Captain Palmer allowed Sevenoaks to retain the rifle and they withdrew to the shore. Sevenoaks continued to serve with the Navy after the war and was discharged on 13 October 1958.