FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata)

Submachine Gun (SMG)

Portugal | 1948

"The FBP became a rare Portuguese submachine gun design utilizing components from the German MP40 and American M3 Grease Gun lines."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

500
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

1,280 ft/sec
390 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

807 mm
31.77 in
O/A Length

250 mm
9.84 in
Barrel Length

8.31 lb
3.77 kg
Weight

Blowback; Full-Automatic Only; Telescoping Bolt
Action

9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber(s)

21- or 32-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron Front and Read
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata) Submachine Gun (SMG) family line.

FBP - Base Series Designation

m/948 - Model of 1948; original production model; full-automatic fire only.

m/963 - Model of 1963; upgraded model; semi-automatic fire function introduced.

m/976 - Model of 1976; modernized FBP; perforated barrel jacket; not produced.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/11/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

With development stemming from 1940, this Portuguese submachine gun evolved in the post-World War 2 years into the "FBP" (Fabrica de Braco de Prata). The war introduced all sorts of capable designs, functions, and components to which several were simply incorporated into the original Portuguese design. Design of the weapon was attributed to Portuguese Army Major Goncalves Cardoso and the weapon led a healthy frontline service life nearing 30 years.

The FBP utilized the telescoping bolt, barrel, and general construction (steel pressings) of the German wartime MP40 submachine gun along with the pistol grip, trigger mechanism, and wire stock of the famous American M3 "Grease Gun". The resulting FBP was chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm Parabellum German pistol cartridge and fired through a blowback action - limited to full-automatic only. The rounds were fed via a 21- or 32-round detachable straight box magazine. The weapon's arrangement was conventional with a standalone pistol grip/trigger unit, receiver, magazine well set ahead of the pistol grip, and barrel. The barrel section was unique in that the designs saw fit to add support for a bayonet. Sighting was through a front and rear iron arrangement. Performance specifications included a rate-of-fire of 500 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 1,280 feet per second. As in the M3 Grease Gun, the wire stock of the FBP was collapsible for compactness. The cocking handle was set along the left side of the receiver within a long-running channel.

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In practice, the FBP proved a reliable weapon and well developed for the rigors of military service. Its steel pressing manufacture approach made the weapon suitable for mass production. If there proved one downfall it was in accuracy at range - which can be expected of a "mutt" gun design like the FBP. The original full-automatic-only m/948 was then followed by the improved m/963 which introduced a select-fire capability by incorporating a semi-automatic action. The m/963 was then, itself, followed by the modernized m/973 which introduced a perforated barrel jacket to help with cooling. These were not produced serially. Internally, however, all models of the FBP line remained largely the same.

The Portuguese Army eventually gave up their FBP submachine guns in favor of the Israeli UZI. FBP service therefore spanned from 1948 into the 1980s. The weapon also fell into use by non-military elements in combat across several former Portuguese colonies.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Fabrica de Braco de Prata - Portugal

[ Angola; East Timor; Guinea; India; Mozambique; Portugal ]

Going Further...
The FBP SMG (Fabrica de Braco de Prata) Submachine Gun (SMG) appears in the following collections:

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