FNAB-43

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FNAB-43
Cuchillos, picas, armaduras y bayonetas - Museo de Armas de la Nación 55.JPG
The FNAB-43 on display
TypeSubmachine Gun
Place of originItalian Social Republic
Service history
In service1944
Used byItalian Social Republic
Italian Resistance
Nazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Designed1942–1945
ManufacturerFabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia
Produced1943–1945
No. built7,000
Specifications
Mass3.9 kg (8 Pounds 12 ounces)
Length790 mm (31.15 in)
Barrel length198 mm (7.80 in)
Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
Caliber9 mm
ActionLever-delayed blowback, selective fire
Rate of fire400 Rounds Per Minute
Muzzle velocity381 m/s (1250 ft/s)
Feed system10, 20 or 40 round detachable box magazine
SightsIron

The FNAB-43 is an Italian designed and developed submachine gun manufactured from 1943 to 1945. The first prototype was built in 1942 and the 7,000 built by the FNA-B (Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia, "Brescia National Arms Factory", hence the name) were issued to German and Italian RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana) units fighting in Northern Italy. The FNAB-43 was an expensive weapon to manufacture as it used extensive milling and precision engineering in its manufacture.

Description[]

External image
image icon FNAB-43

The FNAB-43 uses a lever-delayed blowback system firing from the closed bolt position. The bolt is a two-piece unit with a pivoted lever interposed between bolt head and body. On firing the bolt head retracts and begins to rotate the lever, the base of which is against a lug in the body. This lever is pivoted to delay the opening movement to allow the bullet to leave the barrel. The breech pressure then drops before the lever has completed its rotation. The movement of the lever then presses the free end against the bolt body and accelerates the bolt's movement to the rear. The base of the lever then pulls clear of the lug and the whole bolt unit continues to recoil as one piece. On returning, the lever again engages the lug and pivots forward and in doing so removes a coupling which allows the firing pin to move only when the bolt is fully forward. This unusual and complicated system allows the rate of fire to be kept down to very practical 400 rpms without having to use a heavy bolt or strong spring.[1]

The FNAB-43 also uses a muzzle brake and compensator built into the barrel casing similar to some Russian weapons, and the magazine housing is hinged so that the magazine can lie beneath the barrel similarly to the French MAT-49. The single metal bar stock can be folded upwards rendering the weapon more compact.

Notes[]

  1. ^ http://www.secondeguerre.net/Armes/fnab[permanent dead link]

References[]

  • Hogg, Ian (1978). The Encyclopedia of Infantry Weapons of World War II. London: Arms & Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-281-X.
  • Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John S. (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. 7th edition. Iola, WI: Krause Publishing. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.

External links[]

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