Fedorov Avtomat M1916

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	Weapon: Fedorov Avtomat M1916 Type: Assault Rifle Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1916 Caliber: 6.5 Arisaka Action: Select Fire Overall Length (mm): 930.0 Overall Length (in): 36.61 Weight (kg): 4.00 Weight (pounds): 8.82 Effective Range (m): 800 m Effective Range (yards): 874.89

The Fedorov Avtomat M1916 is a groundbreaking firearm, widely regarded as one of the world's first practical automatic rifles. Designed by Russian engineer Vladimir Fedorov in 1916, the rifle utilized a short-recoil operation and was chambered for the 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka cartridge, a Japanese round chosen for its reduced recoil and availability during World War I. The Fedorov Avtomat featured a detachable 25-round magazine and was capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire, making it a versatile weapon for infantry troops. Its design was revolutionary for its time, incorporating elements that foreshadowed modern assault rifles.

Production of the Fedorov Avtomat began in the early 1920s, with approximately 3,200 units manufactured at the Kovrov Arms Factory. While this number was relatively small, the rifle was deployed in limited numbers by the Russian Empire during World War I and later by the Soviet Red Army. It saw action during the Russian Civil War and the Winter War against Finland. Its advanced design made it a formidable weapon, but challenges such as manufacturing complexity, logistical difficulties, and the scarcity of compatible ammunition limited its widespread use.

The Fedorov Avtomat is notable for its historical significance as a precursor to the modern assault rifle. While it did not achieve mass adoption, its innovative design and combat performance influenced later developments in automatic weaponry. The rifle remains a subject of fascination among military historians and collectors, symbolizing a bold step forward in firearm evolution. Today, it is considered a landmark achievement in small arms design, representing a transitional period between early bolt-action rifles and the fully automatic infantry weapons of the 20th century.

The first Assault Rifle in History:Fedorov Avtomat M1916