Hubbry Logo
Breda 38Breda 38Main
Open search
Breda 38
Community hub
Breda 38
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Breda 38
Breda 38
Breda 38
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Mitragliatrice Breda calibro 8 modello 38 per carri armati was an Italian tank-pattern machine gun used in the Second World War on the Fiat L6/40, the Fiat M11/39 and the Fiat M13/40. It was also adapted to act as an infantry machine gun. The M38 is based upon the Breda M37. The Breda 38 received the German identification code Kampfwagen-Maschinengewehr 350(i).

Key Information

Development

[edit]
Hull-mounted double Breda Mod. 38 in a Fiat M13/40 tank

It was also adapted for use as an infantry machine gun.[2] For this purpose the gun was mounted on a machine-gun tripod by means of an adapter, and was fitted with a temporary rear sight on the right of the body and a temporary front sight on the right of the barrel at the muzzle. The temporary open sights took the place of the optical sight used when the gun was tank-mounted.

Design details

[edit]

The gun is air-cooled, gas-operated, and magazine-fed, and has a quick-change barrel. Its operational features are simple, and it is extremely easy to field-strip or disassemble completely. The barrel is sufficiently heavy (4,5 kg) to enable it to fire a large number of rounds in quick succession without overheating.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Breda 38

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Breda 38, officially designated as the Mitragliatrice Breda calibro 8 modello 38 per carri armati, was an Italian medium machine gun developed specifically for mounting in armored vehicles and tanks during . It fired the rimmed 8×59mm RB Breda cartridge from detachable vertical box magazines typically holding 24 rounds, featured an air-cooled barrel, and operated via a gas-assisted mechanism with a cyclic around 600 rounds per minute. Weighing approximately 15.4 kg (33.9 lb) unloaded and measuring 90 cm (35.4 in) in overall length with a 60 cm (23.6 in) barrel, its compact design allowed installation in confined spaces like the L6/40 and M13/40 . Developed by Società Italiana Ernesto Breda per Costruzioni Meccaniche in response to the Italian Army's need for a vehicle-mounted weapon, the Breda 38 evolved from the infantry-oriented Breda Modello 37, which had been adopted in 1937 and weighed about 19.4 kg, but was shortened and lightened to 15.4 kg for armored applications after trials against competing designs like the Isotta Fraschini model. Production began in 1938 at Breda's Brescia factory, yielding around 7,500 units by 1942, with the gun entering service the following year on early Italian tanks, armored cars such as the AB 41, and even some fortifications. It achieved a muzzle velocity of about 792 m/s (2,600 fps) and an effective range of 800–1,000 yards, though practical sustained fire was limited to around 350 rpm due to magazine capacity and overheating concerns. During the war, the Breda 38 saw extensive use in and the Mediterranean theater, arming Italian forces until the 1943 armistice, after which captured examples were modified by to fire ammunition, with 464 units converted by January 1945. Its ammunition included ball, armor-piercing (green-tipped), tracer (red- or green-tipped), and incendiary (blue-tipped) variants, compatible only with other 8mm Breda systems like the Modello 35. Post-war, surplus Breda 38s remained in limited service with Italian forces until as late as 1991, underscoring its reliability despite the era's rapid advancements in small arms technology.

Development and production

Origins and design influences

The machine gun was developed in 1938 by Meccanica Bresciana as a specialized tank-mounted weapon, directly adapting the design of the earlier infantry machine gun to suit armored vehicle integration. This evolution occurred amid Italy's military rearmament in the late , as the Royal Italian Army sought reliable, compact firepower for emerging tank designs in anticipation of broader conflict. The core gas-operated mechanism of the Breda 38 was inherited from the M37, ensuring continuity in operation while addressing the need for a more confined, vehicle-compatible system. Key modifications included a shortened barrel from 780 mm to 600 mm and reduced overall length from 1,270 mm to 897.5 mm, facilitating installation in turrets with limited space. The bipod was eliminated to streamline the profile for mounting, and the design emphasized rapid field disassembly to enable maintenance within the cramped interiors of armored vehicles. Initial prototypes underwent testing between 1936 and 1938, with refinements focused on enhancing reliability in harsh conditions, such as the dusty terrains anticipated for North African operations. An adjustable gas was incorporated to regulate operation and prevent fouling from sand and debris, a critical adaptation derived from early trials conducted by Italian military evaluators. These changes positioned the Breda 38 as a purpose-built solution over competing designs, like those from , ultimately leading to its formal selection.

Adoption and manufacturing

The Breda Model 38 was officially adopted in 1938 by the , the Royal Italian Army, as the standard machine gun for armored vehicles, receiving the full designation Mitragliatrice Breda calibro 8 modello 38 per carri armati. This acceptance marked it as the first Italian machine gun purpose-designed for tank mounting, derived from the infantry-oriented Breda Model 37. Production of the Breda Model 38 took place at the Breda Meccanica Bresciana facilities in , , commencing in 1939 and continuing through 1943. By July 1942, a total of 7,455 units had been produced, with output peaking at around 500 units per month after 's entry into in June 1940, supported by wartime demands for equipping new armored units. Each unit cost approximately 12,907 Italian lire to produce. The weapon's all-metal construction facilitated relatively efficient manufacturing, though wartime conditions imposed general constraints on Italian industry, including priorities. No significant foreign licensing or major export programs were established for the Model 38, with production remaining centered in for domestic military needs.

Technical design

Operating system and features

The Breda 38 employs a gas-operated mechanism utilizing a long-stroke positioned beneath the barrel, which diverts gases through a to drive the rearward, thereby the action reliably even under the vibrations encountered in vehicle-mounted applications. This system incorporates a vertically sliding locking mechanism, where the locks upward into the receiver via inclined surfaces on the operating rod for secure chambering and firing, then unlocks by lowering during rearward movement to extract the spent casing, ensuring consistent operation during sustained bursts. The barrel is air-cooled to facilitate prolonged firing without excessive overheating, a critical feature for turrets where ventilation may be limited. Quick-change capability is achieved through a simple quarter-turn latch system that secures the barrel to the receiver, enabling rapid replacement during combat to sustain . Safety and control elements include a manual safety lever integrated into the , which engages a spring-loaded rod to block the trigger and prevent accidental discharge. An adjustable gas regulator, featuring a valve with a 0-9 numerical scale, allows the operator to fine-tune gas flow for optimal cycling, compensating for barrel fouling or varying environmental conditions. For vehicle mounting, it was typically equipped with an optical sight or , though temporary fixed calibrated for around 300 meters could be used in adaptations or enclosed positions with limited visibility. Ergonomic features adapt the Breda 38 for vehicular use, including a wooden for stable handling in confined spaces and provisions for mounting alongside main armaments in turrets, which differ from the dual spade grips of variants. A shell-casing collection was fitted to contain ejected cases in enclosed vehicle compartments. This setup supports dual-gun configurations, enhancing crew efficiency during operations.

Ammunition and feeding

The Breda 38 was primarily chambered for the 8×59mm RB cartridge, a rimmed, rebated-rim, bottlenecked round specifically developed for Italian heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons. The standard ball ammunition featured a weighing approximately 13 grams, achieving a of 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s) from the weapon's 600 mm barrel. Other variants included armor-piercing and tracer rounds, all sharing the rebated rim design to facilitate use in magazine-fed systems. For logistical flexibility, particularly in mixed supply situations, the Breda 38 could be modified to fire the cartridge, as the rounds shared a compatible rim diameter; German forces modified 464 units this way in 1944–1945 to utilize captured stocks. The feeding mechanism employed a 24-round detachable vertical box , inserted by tilting it forward onto a hinge before rotating and locking it rearward into place. Magazines were typically loaded using stripper clips for efficiency, with a rigid feed tray incorporated to minimize jams during horizontal mounting in tank turrets or hulls. However, ejection port geometry limited practical capacity to around 20 rounds per to avoid malfunctions. Belt-fed conversions were not standard for the Breda 38, maintaining reliance on pre-loaded magazines to enable quick reloads by crews under conditions; vehicles like the Carro Armato M13/40 typically carried 100 such magazines for sustained fire.

Specifications

Dimensions and performance

The Breda 38 features compact dimensions suited for mounting, with an overall length of 897.5 mm and a barrel length of 600 mm. Unloaded, it weighs 16.3 kg, contributing to its portability in armored applications despite the fixed barrel design. Performance characteristics emphasize sustained fire capability, with a theoretical cyclic rate of 600 rounds per minute, though practical rates in combat typically average 350 rounds per minute due to magazine changes and overheating management. The reaches 770 m/s when firing the standard 8×59mm RB round, enabling effective engagement at shorter ranges. Penetration performance includes approximately 9.5 mm of armor at 250 meters with armor-piercing at 90-degree impact.
SpecificationValue
Overall length897.5 mm
Barrel length600 mm
Weight (unloaded)16.3 kg
Theoretical 600 rounds/min
Practical 350 rounds/min
770 m/s
Penetration (AP round)9.5 mm at 250 m
Reliability is enhanced by a durable barrel rated for approximately 16,000 rounds of , allowing prolonged use in mechanized units with minimal beyond periodic every 4,000 rounds. The air-cooled, gas-operated proved robust in varied conditions, supporting its adoption across Italian armored vehicles until the era.

Accessories and mounting

The Breda 38 was supplied with a shell-casing collection bag as a standard accessory for vehicle-mounted installations, designed to capture ejected casings and prevent them from interfering with operations inside enclosed spaces like compartments. A basic cleaning kit was also provided, including a for barrel and, in some vehicle configurations, a dedicated cleaning rod stored in the or turret area. Spare barrels were supported through quick-change mechanisms, with replacement recommended after approximately 16,000 rounds to maintain performance, and a carrier or stowage provision was integrated into designs for easy access. Sighting accessories varied by role; a was standard for and general use, while sights were fitted to anti- variants for elevated firing. For adaptation, temporary open sights—a rear sight on the right side of the body and a front sight near the barrel muzzle—could be attached. A "cartwheel"-type anti- sight was available for elevated mounts, enabling effective targeting against low-flying . Mounting systems emphasized versatility for armored and ground applications. In tank turrets, the gun was secured via coaxial mounts aligned with the main armament, providing synchronized firing and full 360-degree traverse through the turret's pivot mechanism, often incorporating dampers to reduce vibration during sustained fire. Anti-aircraft configurations used specialized pivot supports on like the Carro Armato M13/40, allowing elevation adjustments for overhead defense. For dismounted use, an adapter enabled mounting on a identical to the Modello 1935, with adjustable legs for stable infantry support. Later adaptations included ball mounts for fixed fortifications, such as those in the Vallo Alpino Orientale. Integration into light tanks like the L6/40 typically involved coaxial pairing with the primary , occupying approximately 0.5 cubic meters of internal space due to the gun's compact 897.5 mm length and 16.3 kg weight, while carrying 52 to 160 magazines (1,248 to 3,840 rounds) depending on the vehicle model. Twin or single AA mounts were common on medium tanks such as the M13/40, enhancing defensive capabilities against aerial threats. Maintenance tools focused on field efficiency, including an adjustment key for the gas valve and basic disassembly aids that allowed straightforward barrel changes and overall stripping in under five minutes for routine cleaning after every 4,000 rounds. The design's simplicity supported rapid servicing in combat environments, with the quick-detachable barrel weighing 9 7/8 pounds to facilitate handling without specialized equipment.

Operational history

Use in World War II

The Breda 38 served as the primary for Italian armored forces during , equipped on light tanks such as the L6/40 in a mounting and on medium tanks including the M11/39 and M13/40 as weapons in the turrets, with deployments spanning 1940 to 1943 in the North African and campaigns. These installations provided close-range defensive fire, often in configurations of up to four guns per vehicle on later models like the M13/40, supporting infantry suppression during advances and defensive actions. It was also mounted on armored cars such as the AB 41 and self-propelled guns including the Semovente da 75/18. In the , L6/40 tanks armed with the Breda 38 participated in occupation and anti-partisan operations following the 1941 invasion of . In combat, the Breda 38 proved effective for short bursts of against infantry, contributing to Italian tank engagements in such as in late 1940, where M11/39 and early M13/40 units used it to cover advances against British Commonwealth forces. During the defense of in 1941, the weapon supported Italian and German Axis defenders in repelling Allied assaults, though its practical around 350 rounds per minute was constrained by magazine capacity. Despite its utility in these roles, the Breda 38's 24-round box magazine limited sustained fire, requiring frequent reloads that exposed crews to enemy response during prolonged battles. In environments, overheating and vulnerability to sand contamination reduced reliability, as dust ingress caused jams and necessitated constant maintenance on vehicles like the M13/40 operating in the harsh conditions of and . Following Italian defeats, numerous Breda 38s were captured by British and Allied forces after 1941, with examples repurposed for training and secondary roles, as documented in collections like the Australian War Memorial's holdings of seized Italian tank armament. After the 1943 Armistice, German forces designated captured specimens as the Kampfwagen-Maschinengewehr 350(i) and modified over 464 units to fire 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition for use on seized Italian vehicles and fortifications.

Post-war applications

Following World War II, the Breda 38 remained in limited service with the and Guardia di Pubblica Sicurezza until 1991, including in fortifications such as the Vallo Alpino Orientale, despite the adoption of NATO-standard weaponry. Related Breda designs like the M37 continued in reserve and training roles into the mid-20th century. Sensitivity to environmental conditions contributed to reliability issues in varied climates. Limited surplus examples were sold to private collectors after the , reflecting the weapon's obsolescence. Today, surviving 38s are rare artifacts, with notable preserved specimens including a 1941-manufactured example displayed at the Australian War Memorial.

Variants and operators

Variants

The Modello 38 machine gun saw limited adaptations for non-vehicle roles during . Following the Italian armistice in 1943, surplus or captured examples were mounted on tripods for use as infantry support weapons by the forces and partisan groups, such as the 83ª Brigata Garibaldi "Comoli," primarily for training and anti-partisan operations. These adaptations retained the gun's original 8×59mm RB chambering and 24-round box magazine but lacked permanent sights or bipods suited for prolonged dismounted fire. In 1943, an experimental ball mount version was developed for use in fortifications, though production ceased following the . A notable modification involved caliber conversion to accommodate ammunition, undertaken by German forces in 1944-1945 on captured Italian stocks. By January 1945, 464 guns had been adapted using chamber inserts and modified magazines, with an additional 98 conversions in February and 72 in March; these were intended for mounting on German-occupied vehicles but saw limited combat deployment. The standard vehicle configuration of the Breda Modello 38 emphasized coaxial mounting in Italian armored vehicles produced by Fiat-Ansaldo, such as the Carro Armato L6/40 light tank, M11/39 and M13/40 medium tanks, and Autoblinda AB 40 armored cars, where it served as a secondary armament alongside main guns. These installations featured an electric trigger mechanism for synchronized fire and spade grips for turret integration, with no significant alterations to the core design. Anti-aircraft twin mounts were also fitted on vehicles like the Carro Armato P40 prototype and Semovente M42M self-propelled guns. No major export variants deviated from this standard model beyond the aforementioned German conversions.

Primary operators

The primary operator of the Breda 38 was the Regio Esercito of the Kingdom of , which integrated it from 1938 to 1943 as the standard coaxial and auxiliary in armored divisions and vehicles for anti-infantry support roles. By the end of 1942, over 11,500 units had been produced following accelerated production during the early war years (1,625 in 1940, 4,425 in 1941, and 5,515 in 1942). The Exército Português acquired a small number of Breda 38 machine guns in 1941–1942, deploying them primarily in colonial garrisons and maintaining limited use into the 1970s in theaters such as and . Captured examples saw limited employment by Allied forces; the British Eighth Army utilized captured Breda 38s in from 1941 to 1943, mainly for training purposes, while German forces post-1943 incorporated modified Breda 38s (rechambered for ) in limited numbers during operations in . Other minor users included , who recovered and employed Breda 38s from captured Italian armored vehicles, such as the Autoblinda AB 41, for partisan warfare against Axis occupiers; however, there was no confirmed widespread adoption by other Axis or neutral forces.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.