- Breda 38
Infobox Weapon
name=Breda Modello 38
origin=flagicon|Italy|1861 Kingdom of Italy
type=TankMachine Gun
is_ranged=yes
service=1938-
used_by=Kingdom of Italy
wars=World War II
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Breda Meccanica Bresciana
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=33 7/8 lbs
length=35 1/2 in
part_length=23 in
crew=
cartridge=8x59mm RB Breda
caliber=
action=Gas operated
rate=600 rounds/min
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed=24-round vertical box magazine
sights=The Breda 38 was an Italian tank-pattern
machine gun used inWorld War II . It was able to fit on the availabletanks : the 6 1/2-ton Light (1940), the 11-ton Medium (1939), and the 13-ton Medium (1940).Development
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 (as shown in an accompanying sketch) 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 (9 7/8 pounds) to enable it to fire a large number of rounds in quick succession without overheating.
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