Breda Model 1931 machine gun

The Breda Model 31 was a widely used Italian heavy machine gun produced by Società Italiana Ernesto Breda and used by the Italian Navy and Italian Army during World War II. At sea it was employed as a light anti-aircraft gun, while on land it was mounted on armored command vehicles where it was used as a heavy machine gun. After World War II it remained in use aboard the patrol boats of the Guardia di Finanza.

Breda Model 31
TypeHeavy machine gun
Anti-aircraft gun
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1931-1950
Used byItaly
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerHotchkiss
Designed1929
ManufacturerBreda
Produced1931
Specifications
Mass47.5 kg (105 lb)
Length1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Barrel length1 m (3 ft 3 in) L/76
Crew1
Shell13.2 x 99 mm Hotchkiss[1]
Shell weightCartridge weight: 112–120 g
Shell weight: 42–51 g
Caliber13.2 mm (0.52 in)
Elevation-6° to +85°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire400 rpm (cyclic)
200-250 rpm (sustained)
Muzzle velocity805 m/s (2,640 ft/s)
Effective firing range2 km (1.2 mi) at +45°
3.98 km (13,100 ft) at +80°
Maximum firing range6 km (3.7 mi) at +45°
4.2 km (14,000 ft) at +80°[2]
Feed system30-round box magazine

History

The Breda Model 31 was a license built copy of the French Hotchkiss M1929[3] machine gun. Breda acquired a production license in 1929, but it did not enter production until 1931. The Model 31 was often mounted on single and twin mounts aboard surface ships and on a disappearing twin mount aboard submarines.[4] The Model 31 was intended to provide close-range air defense, but like its counterparts in other nations, these small-caliber guns were found incapable of defending against low-level torpedo-bombers or high altitude level-bomber attacks because their bullets were too light and short ranged.[5] Although a reliable gun with good performance, it was later replaced by the Breda 20/65 Mod. 1935.

Construction

The Model 31 was a gas-operated, air-cooled machine gun with a tilting bolt action. It was fed by top mounted, semi-circular, thirty round magazines, with cooling air drawn through the sleeve to fins along the barrel.[6]

Ship classes that carried the Breda Model 1931 include:

Notes
  1. "13,2x96 Hotchkis Short / MUNICION.ORG". www.municion.org. Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  2. DiGiulian, Tony. "Italy 13.2 mm/75.7 (0.52") AA MG Model 1931 - NavWeaps". www.navweaps.com. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  3. DiGiulian, Tony. "France 13.2 mm (0.5") Model 1929 - NavWeaps". www.navweaps.com. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  4. Campbell, John (2002-01-01). Naval weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0870214594. OCLC 51995246.
  5. DiGiulian, Tony. "Italy 13.2 mm/75.7 (0.52") AA MG Model 1931 - NavWeaps". www.navweaps.com. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  6. Campbell, John (2002-01-01). Naval weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0870214594. OCLC 51995246.

References
  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • La mitrailleuse Browning FN, kapitel XII. Les munitions F.N. calibre 13,2 mm
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