Breda 30
| Fucile Mitragliatore Breda modello 30 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1930–1945 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Second Italo-Abyssinian War Spanish Civil War World War II Greek Civil War Portuguese Colonial War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | late 1920s |
| Manufacturer | Breda Meccanica Bresciana |
| Produced | 1930–1945 |
| No. built | 30,000 by 1940 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 10.6 kg (23 lb) |
| Length | 1,230 mm (48 in) |
| Barrel length | 450 mm (18 in) |
| Cartridge | 6.5×52mm Carcano 7.35×51mm Carcano (Rare) |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Rate of fire | 500 rds/min theoretical, 150 rds/min practical |
| Muzzle velocity | 620 metres per second (2,000 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 m (1,100 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,800 m (3,100 yd) |
| Feed system | stripper clips of 20 rounds |
The Fucile Mitragliatore Breda modello 30 also known as Breda 30 or the Alpine scythe (la falce degli Alpini) or Finita Burrasca (The storm is over) was the standard light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. The Breda Modello 30 was issued at the squad level in order to give Italian rifle squads extra firepower. As a light machine gun it had many issues including jamming and overheating. It was fed by a 20 round stripper clips. Despite all its faults it formed the main base of fire for infantry units during the war.