Fiat-Revelli Modello 1935
Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (FIAT) · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1935
Also known as: Fiat-Revelli Mod. 1935, Mitragliatrice Fiat-Revelli Modello 35, Fiat Model 1935
Overview
The Fiat-Revelli Modello 1935 is an Italian air-cooled, belt-fed heavy machine gun chambered in 8x59mm RB Breda. A modernization of the water-cooled Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914, it replaced the earlier cage magazine with a 50-round metallic belt and adopted an air-cooled barrel. The redesign solved some of the older weapon's feed problems but its closed-bolt operation introduced cook-off issues and the gun gained a reputation for unreliability. It served the Royal Italian Army throughout World War II.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 18000 g (634.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1270 mm (50.00") |
| Barrel Length | 653 mm (25.71") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 50 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 790 m/s (2592 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 4057 J (2992 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 5200 m (5687 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x59mm RB Breda · primary — also known as 8mm Breda, 8x59mm Breda
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt
- Features: Air Cooled, Tripod Mounted, Belt Fed
Service history
Operators
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1935 · as Mitragliatrice Fiat-Revelli Mod. 1935
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1935-1943
Produced for the Royal Italian Army; production ran until Italy's armistice in September 1943
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Bethel Abiel Revelli
Discontinued: 1943
Notes
The closed-bolt design left a chambered round sitting against a hot barrel, causing ammunition to cook off during sustained fire. Many surviving Modello 1914 guns were rebuilt to the 1935 pattern.
Background
The Modello 1935 was an attempt to drag the troublesome Modello 1914 into the modern era by converting it from water-cooling and cage feed to air-cooling and belt feed. The fixes traded one set of problems for another, and Italian troops continued to regard the Fiat-Revelli line with suspicion throughout the war.