OVERVIEW
The Labora Submachine Gun was a rarity of the Spanish Civil War in that it was of wholly indigenous design and not based on any existing weapon.
The Labora Submachine Gun was a rarity of the Spanish Civil War in that it was of wholly indigenous design and not based on any existing weapon.
YEAR: 1939
MANUFACTURER(S): Industrio de Geurra do Cataluna - Spain
OPERATORS: Spain
SPECIFICATIONS
Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible. Calibers listed may be model/chambering dependent.
Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible. Calibers listed may be model/chambering dependent.
ACTION: Blowback; Automatic
CALIBER(S): 9x23mm Largo
LENGTH (OVERALL): 806 millimeters (31.73 inches)
LENGTH (BARREL): 262 millimeters (10.31 inches)
WEIGHT (UNLOADED): 9.66 pounds (4.38 kilograms)
SIGHTS: Iron
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 1,300 feet-per-second (396 meters-per-second)
RATE-OF-FIRE: 750 rounds-per-minute
RANGE (EFFECTIVE): 250 feet (76 meters; 83 yards)
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• Labora Fontbernat Model 1938 - Base Series Designation
Series Model Variants
• Labora Fontbernat Model 1938 - Base Series Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Labora Fontbernat Model 1938 Submachine Gun (SMG). Entry last updated on 7/11/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Labora Fontbernat Model 1938 Submachine Gun (SMG). Entry last updated on 7/11/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Labora Fontbernat Model 1938 was one of the few firearms to emerge out of war-torn Spain during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). It served with both the Spanish State (Nationalist forces) and the Spanish Republic (Republicans). Of traditional blowback operation, the submachine gun was chambered for the powerful 9x23mm "Largo" cartridge and fed from a 36-round detachable box magazine. Its characteristics were consistent with other submachine gun designs of the period: wooden shoulder stock, cylindrical receiver, straight magazine, etc...
The Larbora's design was initiated as early as 1936 but it was not made available in the numbers required until the last few months of the Spanish conflict. At its core the weapon was a "clean-sheet" design not copied from any existing submachine gun - which made it unique for a 1930s weapon. Its construction was also of particularly high quality in which machining was heavily used though this also added to cost-per-unit. The end of the war in 1939 (a Nationalist victory) forced an end to production of the Labora.
Production stemmed from Industrio de Guerra do Cataluna.
Performance-wise, the submachine gun managed a rate-of-fire of 750 rounds-per-minute with a muzzle velocity of 1,300 feet-per-second.
The Larbora's design was initiated as early as 1936 but it was not made available in the numbers required until the last few months of the Spanish conflict. At its core the weapon was a "clean-sheet" design not copied from any existing submachine gun - which made it unique for a 1930s weapon. Its construction was also of particularly high quality in which machining was heavily used though this also added to cost-per-unit. The end of the war in 1939 (a Nationalist victory) forced an end to production of the Labora.
Production stemmed from Industrio de Guerra do Cataluna.
Performance-wise, the submachine gun managed a rate-of-fire of 750 rounds-per-minute with a muzzle velocity of 1,300 feet-per-second.