u/maybe_a_medic

Hello, I've been working on an OTV IBA setup.

(For larp and airsoft)

The problem is, I'm a tiny (5'6, 128lbs) guy.

I can't wear a pistol belt and the IBA at the same time due to how low the IBA sits on my body.

I'm interested in trying a cross-draw setup, but I'm unsure of where to re-place everything.

If I move the holster from where it is now (which doesn't work well at all), I'll have to move either my "ifak" (game related stuff for revives and flags) or my ammo pouches (the grenade pouches). I've also considered placing it where my water is as well. What do you recommend?

I'd like to keep my grenade/ammo pouches uniform and in the same position on both sides of the carrier if possible, but I'm open to any suggestions.

This is my first carcano, I paid $500. I understand that's overpriced for a carcano, but I just couldn't pass up an all-matching antique example.

No cracks, no missing parts. just dings, dents, and finish wear. But, I like a rifle with character.

What do ya'll think? Did I overpay? Or is this a win?

I finally got my hands on a GWOT era IBA,

this is my first plate carrier.

my only question now is, do I put pouches directly onto the vest? Or do I use a chest rig or belt setup?

Reference photos from 2003-04 show the use of alice, molle, and direct vest attachment setups.

I've read a bit about direct attachment setups causing material separation in the vest, but I'm unsure of how legit that claim is.

Disclaimer: I currently have a replacement stock on the rifle until I repair the original stock that the rifle arrived in.

(Wrist split/crack).

This is an Austro-Hungarian mannlicher 88/90. It started life as a blackpowder model of 1888.

It's an early production "OEWG" example made in steyr. manufactured/accepted in 1888, denoted by the "WN 88" stamp.

This was the 17th production block, being around the 177,000th rifle to be produced in 1888, denoted by it's "71** Q." Serial number.

It would be updated in 1890 to the newer 88/90 pattern, with It now being loaded in a semi-smokeless cartridge. the original 8X52R barrel was replaced with a 8X50R barrel, and side plates were added to the rear sight to account for it's new elevation/range.

it was issued to the combat engineers of the 20th Pioneer Battalion and fought on the front lines of WW1, denoted by a "20.P" Battalion/unit marking on the buttplate. (1914-1918)

After WW1, Italy received this and many other rifles as war reperations from Austria-hungary, this example being marked with an "AOI" cartouche (Africa Orientale Italiana) before it was sent to Africa to fight in the second italo-ethiopian war. (1935-1941).

It would have likely been issued to an Ethiopian local who was sympathetic towards Italy. That, or a less trusted Italian colonial troop.

Now, this is just a guess. But i believe this rifle was captured during WW2 by ethiopian freedom fighters and turned against the italians, denoted by the EXTREMELY faded trench art, "TATEF"? I believe? It also had a voodoo bag attached to the front sling swivel when I received it... am I cursed? (1935-1943)

Note: It's also totally possible that an ethiopian local sympathetic to Italy created the trench art. But, I guess we'll never truly know.

Disclaimer: I currently have a replacement stock on the rifle until I repair the original stock that the rifle arrived in.

(Wrist split/crack). The rifle itself is complete, not missing any parts when I received it.

This is an early production "OEWG" steyer example. manufactured/accepted in 1888, denoted by the "WN 88" stamp.

This was the 17th production block, being around the 177,100th rifle to be produced in 1888, denoted by it's "71** Q." Serial number.

It would be updated in 1890 to the newer 88/90 pattern, with the original 8X52R barrel being replaced by an 8X50R barrel.

it was issued to the combat engineers of the 20th Pioneer Battalion and fought on the front lines of WW1, denoted by the "20.P" unit marking on the buttplate.

After WW1, Italy received this rifle as war reperations, marking it with "AOI" (Africa Orientale Italiana) before it was sent to Africa.

Now, this is just a guess. But I believe this rifle was captured during WW2 by ethiopian freedom fighters and turned against the italians, denoted by the EXTREMELY faded trench art on the wrist.

Disclaimer: I currently have a replacement stock on the rifle until I repair the original stock that the rifle arrived in.

(Wrist split/crack). The rifle itself is complete, not missing any parts when I received it.

This is an early production "OEWG" steyer example. manufactured/accepted in 1888, denoted by the "WN 88" stamp.

This was the 17th production block, being around the 177,100th rifle to be produced in 1888, denoted by it's "71** Q." Serial number.

It would be updated in 1890 to the newer 88/90 pattern, with the original 8X52R barrel being replaced by an 8X50R barrel.

it was issued to the combat engineers of the 20th Pioneer Battalion and fought on the front lines of WW1, denoted by the "20.P" unit marking on the buttplate.

After WW1, Italy received this rifle as war reperations, marking it with "AOI" (Africa Orientale Italiana) before it was sent to Africa.

Now, this is just a guess. But I believe this rifle was captured during WW2 by ethiopian freedom fighters and turned against the italians, denoted by the EXTREMELY faded trench art on the wrist.