Norad45:
It occurs to me that anyone making a decision of the magnitude of killing a President of the United States would chose a reliable weapon that had proved itself capable on the battlefield.
I suppose the Carcano was also able to make the "magic bullet flight path" the lone gunman managed to achieve.
If I remember correctly, the Carcano sold for about $12.00 through the mail and you could buy a Mauser for under $30.00.
If you are an asassin, an extra $18.00 is not going to disuade you.
Of course it was a real convincing photograph with unnatural shadow details that had Lee H. Oswald holding a Carcano that really convinced the masses.
Bountyhunter