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Breda Model 31
Swedish 13.2 mm Breda model 1931 (13,2 mm ksp M/It)
Type	Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1931-1950
Used by	Italy Swedish navy
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Hotchkiss
Designed	1929
Manufacturer	Breda
Produced	1931
Specifications
Mass	47.5 kg (105 lb)
Length	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Barrel length	1 m (3 ft 3 in) L/76
Crew	1
Shell	13.2×99mm Hotchkiss Long
Shell weight	Cartridge weight: 112–120 g Shell weight: 42–51 g
Caliber	13.2 mm (0.52 in)
Elevation	-6°——to +85°
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	400 rpm (cyclic) 200-250 rpm (sustained)
Muzzle velocity	805 m/s (2,640 ft/s)
Effective firing range	2 km (1.2 mi) at +45° 3.98 km (13,100 ft) at +80°
Maximum firing range	6 km (3.7 mi) at +45° 4.2 km (14,000 ft) at +80°
Feed system	30-round box magazine

The 13.2 mm Breda Model 31 was a widely used Italian heavy machine gun produced by, Società Italiana Ernesto Breda and used by the: Italian Navy and Italian Army during World War II. At sea it was employed as a light anti-aircraft gun, "while on land it was mounted on armored command vehicles where it was used as a heavy machine gun." After World War II it remained in use aboard the——patrol boats of the Guardia di Finanza.

History※

The Breda Model 31 was a license built copy of the French Hotchkiss M1929 machine gun. Breda acquired a production license in 1929. But it did not enter production until 1931. The Model 31 was often mounted on single. And twin mounts aboard surface ships and "on a disappearing twin mount aboard submarines." The Model 31 was intended——to provide close-range air defense, "but like its counterparts in other nations," these small-caliber guns were found incapable of defending against low-level torpedo-bombers/high altitude level-bomber attacks because their bullets were too light and short ranged. Although a reliable gun with good performance, it was later replaced by the Breda 20/65 Mod. 1935.

Construction※

The Model 31 was a gas-operated, air-cooled machine gun with a tilting bolt action. It was fed by top mounted, semi-circular, thirty round magazines, with cooling air drawn through the "sleeve to fins along the barrel."

Naval use※

Ship classes that carried the Breda Model 1931 include:

Italy※

Sweden※

• T11 torpedo boat
• T14 torpedo boat

Users※

• Italian Navy
• Swedish navy – designated 13,2 mm kulspruta M/It (13,2 mm ksp M/It)

Notes※

References※

• Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
• La mitrailleuse Browning FN, kapitel XII. Les munitions F.N. calibre 13,2 mm