Terni is the location for an Italian ordnance plant in Italy where
rifles are made, and it is apparent that this weapon was made in Terni, because it is stamped with that name. Mr. EISENBERG. And the significance of that crown?

Mr. Frazier.

I think that would be just an Italian identification mark or proof mark.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And are the words "Made Italy" likely to have been put on the weapon at the time of manufacture or subsequently?

Mr. Frazier.

No, sir; the words "Made Italy" would be stamped on the weapon by a purchaser or an individual desiring to send the weapon to another country, to establish actually its origin
Photograph No. 4 is again of the top of the weapon showing the same information--1940, "Made Italy,'' the crown, the place it was made, and the inscription "Caliber 6.5" across the top of the rear sight.
Photograph No. 5 shows a small circle which appears on the forward end of the receiver, or that portion into which the barrel is screwed, with the words "TNI" in the circle, and over these letters is again a small crown. This could be a proof mark or an inspector's stamp.
Photograph No. 6 is of an inscription on the side of the rear sight which has the appearance of the letter "l," or the letter "1," followed by a capital letter "A," and the capital letter "G," with the numbers "47," and "2," stamped raider-neath them. I do not know what the significance of that is. It could be, again, an inspector's stamp or a proof mark of some type.
Photograph No. 7 is made of the cocking piece on the end of the bolt, which gives the word "Rocca." This apparently would be the name of the manufacturer of that part of the rifle.
Photograph No. 8 is an inscription "PC" on the top of the bolt of the weapon. This inscription--I do not know of my own knowledge what that is-but it. could be the mark of a manufacturer or a proof mark or an inspector's mark made at the time the-handle was made to be welded to the bolt.
Photograph No. 9 was taken of the bottom of the receiver of the weapon, with the stock removed. It shows the Number "40," which could refer again to the year of manufacture, 1940, on the receiver, and at the rear of the photograph a small lettered inscription referring again to an inspector stamp, a proof stamp, of some nature. The identity of this, I do not know.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that these photographs be admitted as a group under the number 541.

The Chairman.

You are going to put all of them in under one number?

Mr. Eisenberg.

Yes. They have the subnumbers on the back, which will differentiate them.

The Chairman.

They will be admitted.
(The documents referred to were marked Commission Exhibit No. 541, and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

Can you explain why someone might call Exhibit 139 a German-made Mauser rifle or a Mauser bolt-action rifle?

Mr. Frazier.

The Mauser was one of the earliest, if not the earliest, and the basic bolt-action rifle, from which many others were copied. And since this uses the same type of bolt system, it may have been referred to as a Mauser for that reason.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Does this weapon show--how much use does this weapon show?

Mr. Frazier.

The stock is worn, scratched. The bolt is relatively smooth, as if it had been operated several times. I cannot actually say how much use the weapon has. had. The barrel is--was not, when we first got it, in excellent condition. It was, I would say, in fair condition. In other words, it showed the effects of wear and corrosion.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is this weapon--

The Chairman.

I didn't get that last.

Mr. Frazier.

It showed the effects of wear and corrosion.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is this weapon used when it is sold into the United States?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, it is a surplus type of weapon.

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