Cei-Rigotti
Cei-Rigotti | |
---|---|
Type | Selective-fire automatic rifle |
Place of origin | Kingdom of Italy |
Production history | |
Designer | Amerigo Cei-Rigotti |
Designed | c. 1890 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) |
Length | 1,000 mm (39 in) |
Barrel length | 482.6 mm (19.00 in) |
Cartridge | 6.5×52mm Carcano 7.65×53mm Mauser |
Action | Gas piston, self-loading |
Rate of fire | 300-600 rpm |
Muzzle velocity | 730 m/s (2,400 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 1,400 m (1,500 yd) |
Feed system | 6-, 10-, 20-, 25-, 30-round fixed box magazine |
Sights | Iron sight |
The Cei-Rigotti (also known as the Cei gas rifle
Description
The rifle was gas operated and had selective fire capabilities (single shots or fully automatic). Available information on this gun is sparse and often contradictory.
According to several publications, the prototype rifle was chambered for the
The British also ordered and tested the gun after this event, but they found it unsuitable.
One unusual feature of the Cei-Rigotti was its trigger, which extended through a slot across the entirety of the trigger guard. It has been theorized that it was intended to make the weapon easier to operate in heavy gloves,[2] but in reality it is used to release the bolt without accidentally firing the weapon.[7] The trigger guard assembly was also connected to the magazine, and needed to be removed in order for the magazine to be replaced.[2] This magazine is also a major point of contention among military historians, as, since the weapon was reloaded via stripper clips rather than detachable magazine, many argue that it disqualifies the Cei-Rigotti from being classified as an assault rifle.[8] Reportedly, prototypes with magazines up to a capacity of 50 rounds existed,[3] but there is no actual known evidence of this yet, and the most high-capacity magazine that can be seen on the drawings from the period is a two-column one for 30 rounds.[9]
See also
Early automatic rifles
- Browning M1918 automatic rifle
- Fedorov M1916 Avtomat
- Furrer Leichtes Maschinengewehr lMG 25
- Huot M1916 automatic rifle
Early self loading rifles
- Farquhar-Hill P1918 semi automatic rifle
- Fusil Automatique Modèle 1917
References
- ^ Daniel D. Musgrave; Thomas B. Nelson (1967). The World's Assault Rifles and Automatic Carbines. T. B. N. Enterprises. p. 225.
- ^ a b c d McCollum, Ian (October 24, 2012). "Cei-Rigotti". ForgottenWeapons.com. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85109-401-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7603-1560-6.
- LCCN 63-12562.
- ISBN 978-0-89479-031-7.
- ^ "Firearms Expert Reacts To Battlefield 1's Guns PART 2". GameSpot. 26 November 2022.
- ^ "Before the Sturmgewehr: Assault Rifle Developments Prior to 1942 -". 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014.
- ^ "Cei-Rigotti – Internet Movie Firearms Database".