Élite Italian Bersaglieri in the Western Desert of North Africa, 1941, manning ... what, exactly, can anybody tell me ?  Maybe it is just the angle, but I am a bit foxed as to what this weapon is ?  Best regards, JR.

Bersaglieri in the Sand ...

Portrait of a Capomanipolo (Black Shirts 2nd Lt). DVX

Capomanipolo

Legionary Ermenegildo Mascitti awarded with Iron cross 1st and 2nd class on the Anzio-Nettuno front. Note the skull of the Arditi.
He was taken prisoner on may 25th 1944 and passed the rest of the war in a U.S. prison camp. DVX