Armaguerra Mod. 39 (OM-44)
Societa Anonima Revelli Manifattura Armi Guerra · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1939
Also known as: Armaguerra Mod. 39, Modello 39, OM-44, Revelli Mod. 39
Overview
The Armaguerra Mod. 39 was an Italian semi-automatic rifle designed by Gino Revelli in 1938 and produced from 1939 to 1941 by Societa Anonima Revelli Manifattura Armi Guerra (Armaguerra) at Cremona. It used an unusual short-recoil action with a swinging-block locking system and fed from a 6-round integral magazine loaded with a Carcano-Mannlicher clip. The rifle was offered in both 7.35x51mm Carcano (520 mm barrel, 1030 mm overall) and 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano (594 mm barrel, 1170 mm overall). Notably, it had no conventional cocking handle; the front sling swivel served that function. Fewer than 300 were built before Italy's wartime priorities and material shortages ended the program, and surviving examples saw limited service through World War II.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4170 g (147.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1030 mm (40.55") |
| Barrel Length | 520 mm (20.47") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 755 m/s (2477 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2393 J (1765 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 270 m (295 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.35x51mm Carcano · primary — also known as 7.35mm Carcano, 7.35x51mm
- 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano — also known as 6.5 Carcano, 6.5x52mm, 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Internal 6 Round Box, 6 Round Carcano Mannlicher Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Swinging Block Short Recoil Action, Internal Box Magazine, Carcano Clip Loading, No Conventional Cocking Handle, Front Sling Swivel Doubles As Charging Aid
Variants
- Armaguerra Mod. 39 (6.5x52mm) — Longer Barrel 6 5 Carcano
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) · adopted 1939 · as Modello 39
- Italian Social Republic (RSI) · adopted 1943 · as Mod. 39
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 300 · Production years: 1939-1941
Fewer than 300 built; about 200 in 6.5mm before the project was canceled. ~100 in Army inventory by June 1942.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Gino Revelli
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The 'OM-44' designation is used by some collectors/databases for this rifle; the standard published designation is 'Mod. 39'. Around 200 were built in 6.5mm before cancellation; by June 1942 the Army held roughly 100 rifles. Cartridge dimensions for the 7.35 and 6.5 Carcano are approximate.
Background
A missed chance for Italy: the Armaguerra Mod. 39 might have given the Regio Esercito a modern self-loading rifle years ahead of many rivals, but it lacked even a cocking handle - soldiers charged it by pulling the front sling swivel - and wartime steel and labor shortages strangled production at fewer than 300 rifles before it ever reached the front in numbers.