Beretta M1918
Beretta · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1918
Also known as: Beretta Model 1918, Moschetto Automatico Beretta Mod. 1918, Beretta MAB 18
Overview
The Beretta M1918 was an Italian submachine gun designed by Tullio Marengoni and adopted by the Royal Italian Army in the final year of World War I. Developed from the twin-barrelled Villar Perosa, it mated a single Villar Perosa action to a wooden Carcano-style rifle stock and a top-mounted box magazine, firing the 9mm Glisenti cartridge. It is widely regarded as one of the first true submachine guns, alongside the German MP18.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1090 mm (42.91") |
| Barrel Length | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 25 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9mm Glisenti · primary — also known as 9x19mm Glisenti, 9mm Glisenti M1910
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Top Mounted Magazine, Wooden Rifle Stock, Fixed Sights, Bipod
Variants
- Beretta M1918 Due Grilletti — Select Fire
- Beretta M1918/30 — Modernized
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1918 · as Moschetto Automatico Beretta Mod. 1918
- Argentine Army
- Albanian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1918-1930
Derived from the Villar Perosa; remaining stocks saw limited service into World War II
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Tullio Marengoni
Discontinued: 1930
Notes
The original M1918 used a single trigger for semi-automatic fire; the M1918 'due grilletti' (dual-trigger) variant added a second trigger for full-automatic fire. The M1918/30 was a 1930 redesign that moved to a bottom-mounted magazine and was offered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
Background
By splitting the twin-barrelled Villar Perosa volley gun in half and bolting one half to a rifle stock, Beretta turned a fixed aircraft and trench weapon into a shoulder-fired arm, producing what many historians count among the very first submachine guns.