FNA-B Model 1943
Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1943
Also known as: FNAB-43, FNA-B Mod. 43, F.N.A.B. 1943
Overview
The FNA-B Model 1943 is an Italian submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, manufactured by Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia during World War II. Unusually sophisticated for a wartime arm, it used a lever-delayed blowback action firing from a closed bolt with a two-piece bolt, giving it a controllable cyclic rate of around 400 rounds per minute. Its folding metal stock and a magazine housing that pivoted forward beneath the barrel made it compact, but its extensive milling and precision engineering made it expensive and slow to produce.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3250 g (114.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 790 mm (31.10") |
| Folded Length | 526 mm (20.71") |
| Barrel Length | 198 mm (7.80") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 400 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety
- Features: Lever Delayed Blowback, Two Piece Bolt, Closed Bolt Firing, Folding Stock, Folding Magazine Housing, Muzzle Brake Compensator, Selective Fire
Service history
Operators
- Italian Social Republic · adopted 1944
- Italian Resistance
- Nazi Germany · adopted 1944
Conflicts
- World War II (1944-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,000 · Production years: 1944-1945
About 7,000 examples are commonly cited; some sources estimate only around 1,000 were produced with inflated serial numbers.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Roughly 7,000 examples are commonly cited, though some sources suggest as few as about 1,000 were actually built, with serial numbers inflated to suggest larger production. The barrel shroud incorporated an integral muzzle brake and compensator.
Background
Built in Brescia by FNAB for the Italian Social Republic and German occupation forces late in the war, the FNAB-43 was prized for its refined engineering and controllable fire, but its costly machining meant it never reached mass production before the conflict ended.