Scotti Machine Gun
Italian State Arsenals (Terni / Brescia / Torino) · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1932
Also known as: Scotti M1932, Scotti Modello X
Overview
The Scotti machine gun is a family of Italian automatic weapons sharing Alfredo Scotti's distinctive gas-unlock locking system, patented in 1928. A short-stroke gas piston unlocks the rotating bolt head, after which the cycle is completed by blowback, making the action light and mechanically simple for its class. The rifle-caliber aircraft machine gun (M1932) was belt-fed and air-cooled, and was offered in 6.5x52mm Carcano, 7.7mm and 7.92x57mm Mauser, while the same operating principle scaled up to a 12.7mm aerial gun and the 20/70 autocannon. Because it fired from an open bolt, the aircraft gun could not be synchronized through a propeller and was used in flexible defensive mounts.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 11500 g (405.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1120 mm (44.09") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
Calibers
- 6.5x52mm Carcano · primary — also known as 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano
- 7.7x56mmR — also known as .303 British
- 7.92x57mm Mauser — also known as 8mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Belt
- Features: Scotti Locking System, Gas Unlock Blowback Hybrid, Rotating Bolt Head, Open Bolt, Air Cooled, Belt Fed, Lubricated Ammunition
Variants
- Scotti Mod. X — Semi Auto Rifle
- Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/70 (Scotti) — Autocannon
Service history
Operators
- Regia Aeronautica
- Regia Marina
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1932-1945
Limited production; ~250 Mod. X rifles built, aircraft MG and 20/70 autocannon saw limited service
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Alfredo Scotti
Notes
Primary caliber given as 6.5x52mm Carcano per request; the 7.7mm chambering was the main aircraft-MG loading. The 20mm autocannon variant was built by Isotta Fraschini. Specs shown are for the rifle-caliber aircraft MG. Barrel length and effective range unconfirmed. Action is a gas-unlock plus blowback hybrid; tagged as gas_operated_short_stroke. The Scotti rifle required lubricated ammunition.
Background
Alfredo Scotti's 1928-patented gas-unlock blowback action was clever enough to be reported as an influence on the famous Hispano-Suiza HS.404 aircraft cannon, yet the Scotti rifle that started it all was so quirky it needed its ammunition lubricated, a swig of canteen water in a pinch, to cycle reliably, dooming it to a roughly 250-gun trials run that Italy never formally adopted.