Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914

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	Weapon: Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914 Type: Heavy Machine Gun Country of Origin: Italy Year Adopted: 1914 Caliber: 6.5 Carcano Action: Blow Back Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 1430.0 Weight (kg): 24.00 Effective Range (m): 1500

The Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914 was an Italian-designed machine gun developed by Revelli and manufactured by Fiat. Introduced during World War I, it was chambered in the 6.5x52mm Carcano cartridge and featured a distinctive water-cooled barrel, making it suitable for sustained fire. The Modello 1914 operated on a delayed blowback mechanism with a rotating bolt and used a 50-round magazine that could hold preloaded strips, a design choice that proved complex and somewhat unreliable in the field. The gun included a unique oiler system for cartridges, which added to its mechanical intricacy.

Over 40,000 units of the Modello 1914 were produced during its service life, primarily for the Italian Army during World War I and the interwar period. It was mounted on both infantry tripods and as a secondary armament on early Italian tanks and armored vehicles. While it represented a technological step forward for Italian arms production, the Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914 faced criticism for its tendency to jam and its relatively slow rate of fire compared to its contemporaries. Nevertheless, it remained a staple of the Italian military arsenal through the early 1930s.

The Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914 is remembered as a weapon that, despite its mechanical shortcomings, played a significant role in Italy's wartime efforts. Its complexity and maintenance requirements reflected the challenges of early machine gun design. While largely obsolete by the time of World War II, its impact on Italian small arms development was notable. Today, surviving examples of the Modello 1914 are displayed in military museums, serving as a reminder of the rapid technological advancements in warfare during the early 20th century.