Breda Meccanica Bresciana
Encyclopedia
Breda Meccanica Bresciana, widely known simply as Breda, is a large Italian
manufacturer of small arms and ammunition located in Brescia
.
producing a large selection of automatic weapons, light artillery and aircraft for the Italian military
. This work had started during World War I
supplying parts for Fiat
machineguns. Most famous of these were the Breda machine guns
, which were standard for Italian forces through the war. Larger 20 mm and 47 mm weapons were also produced.
Additionally, a wide variety of non-weapon products have been built, including marine and rail engines, and thermal plants.
Currently, Breda focuses on production of shotguns and firearm accessories. In 1989 it acquired the firm Menarini of Bologna
, producing buses and other transport vehicles (now known as BredaMenarini Bus).
and M37
, and the Breda-SAFAT aircraft machine guns.
The M37 was a tripod mounted 8 mm heavy, crew served machine gun. It fired from feed clips similar to those of the French Hotchkiss.
The 20/65 Modello 35 was a versatile belt-fed
20 mm machine gun that saw widespread use as an anti-tank and anti-aircraft gun during World War II. Large numbers of captured Modello 35s were also used by British
forces in North Africa
. Breda-SAFAT in both 7.7 mm and 12.7 mm calibers was the standard weapon on Italian fighter aircraft of World War II.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
manufacturer of small arms and ammunition located in Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
.
History
Breda made its mark before and during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
producing a large selection of automatic weapons, light artillery and aircraft for the Italian military
Military of Italy
The Italian armed forces are the military of Italy, they are under the command of the Italian Supreme Council of Defence, presided over by the President of the Italian Republic. The total number of active military personnel is 293,202...
. This work had started during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
supplying parts for Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
machineguns. Most famous of these were the Breda machine guns
Breda 30
The Fucile Mitragliatore Breda modello 30 was the standard light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during World War II.The Breda 30 was rather unique for a light machine gun. It is magazine fed from the right side and the magazine was attached to the gun and was loaded using brass or steel 20...
, which were standard for Italian forces through the war. Larger 20 mm and 47 mm weapons were also produced.
Additionally, a wide variety of non-weapon products have been built, including marine and rail engines, and thermal plants.
Currently, Breda focuses on production of shotguns and firearm accessories. In 1989 it acquired the firm Menarini of Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, producing buses and other transport vehicles (now known as BredaMenarini Bus).
Breda machine guns
The Breda machine gun family included infantry models, aircraft guns and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. The two most common models were the infantry guns M30Breda 30
The Fucile Mitragliatore Breda modello 30 was the standard light machine gun of the Royal Italian Army during World War II.The Breda 30 was rather unique for a light machine gun. It is magazine fed from the right side and the magazine was attached to the gun and was loaded using brass or steel 20...
and M37
Breda M37
The Breda Modello 37 was an Italian heavy machine gun adopted in 1937. It was the standard machine gun for the Royal Italian Army during World War II...
, and the Breda-SAFAT aircraft machine guns.
The M37 was a tripod mounted 8 mm heavy, crew served machine gun. It fired from feed clips similar to those of the French Hotchkiss.
The 20/65 Modello 35 was a versatile belt-fed
Belt (firearm)
A belt or ammunition belt is a device used to retain and feed cartridges into a firearm. Belts and the associated feed systems are typically employed to feed machine guns or other automatic weapons...
20 mm machine gun that saw widespread use as an anti-tank and anti-aircraft gun during World War II. Large numbers of captured Modello 35s were also used by British
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
forces in North Africa
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
. Breda-SAFAT in both 7.7 mm and 12.7 mm calibers was the standard weapon on Italian fighter aircraft of World War II.