Breda Modello 37 (M37)

Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

Kingdom of Italy | 1937

"Despite it carrying over detrimental qualities of the earlier Breda 30 series, the Modello 37 proved itself a reliable and efficient frontline heavy machine gun for its time in World War 2."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/02/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The belligerents of World War 2 (1939-1945) all used several classes of machine guns for their respective ground forces, mainly centering on light-, medium- and heavy-class types to cover various battlefield roles. For the Italian Army, the Breda Model 1930 served as its standard light machine gun and this was followed by the FIAT-Revelli Model 1914 to fill the medium role. For its heavy-class needs, the Army selected the Breda Model 1937 just prior to the start of the war with its original intention that it be installed in Italian tanks as coaxial weapons - thus inheriting qualities that limited it as an infantry field weapon.

Back in 1930, the Breda concern acquired production rights to the useful French Hotchkiss machine gun in 13.2mm form and repackaged/resold it as the "Breda Model 1931". After also acquiring the gun-making interests of FIAT, Breda further broadened its approach in the machine gun market resulting in the "Breda Model 1935". This product was evolved into light, medium and heavy machine gun forms as well as vehicle-mounted types. The Model 1937 - in design as early as 1933 - followed and, from the outset, relied on a larger, more powerful rifle caliber cartridge in the 8x59mm RB Breda. Trials of the new gun spanned from 1935 to 1936 with service entry granted in 1937.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Internally, the Model 1937 relied on a conventional gas-driven piston operation with tilting bolt action and, on the whole, the weapon was largely traditional in its design save a few unique elements. A large, rectangular receiver housed the internal working components and spade grips were set at the rear near the trigger unit. The barrel, air-cooled by design, was long and slender with the gas cylinder fitted underneath. Iron sights were fitted for ranged work. For when in the defense/infantry support role the weapon was typically sat atop a heavy-duty tripod but could just as easily be arranged for service in/on vehicles as needed.

The limitations of the Model 1937 were some of the same seen in earlier Breda machine gun designs - cartridge extraction issues were apparent and dealt with through a cumbersome lubrication system which tempted all manner of fouling, dirt and grime to be taken on and potentially disrupting the action - an oil reservoir lubricated each incoming cartridge to aid in its eventual extraction. As the Model 1937 offered only full-automatic fire, the speed at which the mechanism had to work was considerable, opening the door to failures/stoppages at every turn.

Feeding was from left-to-right of the receiver and by way of 20-round "clips" instead of a single ammunition belt. These clips were held in a tray (left side) and the feed mechanism pulled and oiled each incoming round and reinserted them into the clip after they were expended, pushing them through an awaiting tray (right side) - the thinking being that the strips could be reused (though individual empty shell casings still have to be removed from the clip manually). As such no true extraction system was needed in the gun but this had a way of complicating its operation some when compared to belt-fed contemporaries.

The original gun design had the Model 1937 used in tanks as a coaxial weapon and, therefore, there proved enough concern that spent shell casings could be sent into the turret's rotation system, jamming its drive controls. Hence the unique attempt to round the issue. Of course heavy sustained fire was out-of-the question and a gunner's assistant was required to consistently feed fresh clips into the ammunition tray for any sort of firing consistency.

Nevertheless, despite its inherent obsolete qualities, the Model 1937 proved itself an effective and surprisingly reliable weapon across the war years and saw production into 1943 and frontline service into the 1960s. The 450 round-per-minute rate-of-fire (200 being practical usage) allowed for good accuracy for an experienced gunnery crew as recoil was reduced (and barrel overheating better managed). Range was out to 5,400 meters with effective engagement falling within 1,000 meters - penetration from the large bullet was also rated as good. Even British SAS special forces elements operating in the North African desert thought enough of the machine gun to reconstitute captured examples for their own use.

A vehicle/tank version of the gun was also made as the "Model 1938" and this featured a more conventional 24-round count detachable box magazine fitted above the breech and other changes included a heavy-duty barrel for improved sustained fire and a more traditional pistol grip appendage at the rear of the receiver. Rate-of-fire of this product was increased to 550-600 rounds-per-minute. Some of this stock was later reconstituted for the infantry support role and sat atop tripods but retained their useful 24-round count boxes.

Portugal adopted the Model 1937 as the "Metralhadora pesada 7,92mm m/938 Breda" (note 7.92x57mm Mauser rifle chambering) and these were pressed into combat service during colonial actions.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Breda Modello 37 (M37). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

3,280 ft
999.7 m | 1,093.3 yds
Max.Eff.Range

450
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

2,600 ft/sec
792 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Breda Modello 37 (M37). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,270 mm
50.00 in
O/A Length

680 mm
26.77 in
Barrel Length

42.99 lb
19.50 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Tilting Bolt; Full-Automatic
Action

8x59mm RB Breda; 7.92x57mm Mauser
Caliber(s)

20-round clip; 24-round detachable box magazine (model dependent)
Feed

Iron
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Breda Modello 37 (M37) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) family line.

Modello 37 (Model 1937) - Base Series Name

Modello 38 - Revised variant for vehicle-mounted use; 24-round detachable box magazine replacing clip-fed method.

Metralhadora pesada 7,92mm m/938 Breda - Portuguese Army designation chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Breda Modello 37 (M37). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Breda Meccanica Bresciana (Brescia) - Italy

[ Kingdom of Italy; Portugal; Slovenia; United Kingdom (captured) ]

1 / 1

Image from the Public Domain.

Going Further...
The Breda Modello 37 (M37) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)