Breda 38

Breda Modello 38
File:Breda Mod.38.jpg
Type	Tank Machine Gun
Place of origin	Kingdom of Italy
Service history
In service	1938-1943
Used by	Kingdom of Italy
Wars	World War II
Production history
Manufacturer	Breda Meccanica Bresciana
Specifications
Weight	33⅞ lbs
Length	35½ in
Barrel length	23 in
Cartridge	8x59mm RB Breda
Caliber	8 mm
Action	Gas operated
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	792 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	1000 m
Feed system	24-round vertical box magazine

The Breda 38 was an Italian tank-pattern machine gun used in World War II. It was able to fit on the available tanks: the Fiat L6/40, the Fiat M11/39, and the Fiat M13/40. It was also adapted as infantry machine gun.

Development

File:Breda Mod.38 binate m13.jpg

Hull-mounted double Breda Mod. 38 in a Fiat M13/40 tank

The Italians have also adapted it for use as an infantry machine gun. For this purpose the gun is mounted on a machine-gun tripod by means of an adapter, and is fitted with a temporary rear sight on the right of the body and a temporary front sight on the right of the barrel at the muzzle. These temporary open sights take the place of the optical sight used when the gun is tank-mounted.

Design details

The gun is air-cooled, gas-operated, and magazine-fed, and has a quick-change barrel. Its operational features are simple, and it is extremely easy to field-strip or disassemble completely. The barrel is sufficiently heavy (9⅞ pounds) to enable it to fire a large number of rounds in quick succession without overheating.

External links

• Breda Model 38 Variant