FNAB-43

{{Infobox weapon

| name = FNAB-43

| image = Cuchillos, picas, armaduras y bayonetas - Museo de Armas de la Nación 55.JPG

| image_size = 300

| caption = The FNAB-43 on display

| origin = Italian Social Republic

| type = Submachine Gun

| is_ranged = yes

| service = 1943

| used_by = Italian Social Republic
Italian Resistance
Nazi Germany
France
Algeria

| wars = World War II
Algerian War
Years of Lead

| designer = Francesco Scalori

| design_date = 1942

| manufacturer = Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia

| production_date = 1943–1945

| number = ~7,000

| variants = Tipo 1 (standard), Tipo 2 (made for german troops with some german markings on the side)

| weight = 3.9 kg (8 lbs. 12 oz.)

| length = 790 mm (31.15 in)

| part_length = 198 mm (7.80 in)

| cartridge = 9×19mm Parabellum

| caliber = 9 mm

| action = Lever-delayed blowback, selective fire

| rate = 600-837 rounds per minute

| velocity = 381 m/s (1250 ft/s)

| range =

| max_range =

| feed = 10, 20 or 40 round detachable box magazine from Beretta Model 38

| sights = Rear aperture, front triangle post

}}

The FNAB-43 is an Italian designed and developed submachine gun manufactured from 1943 to 1945. The first prototype was built in 1942 and the ~1,000 built by the FNA-B according to Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons (Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia, "Brescia National Arms Factory", hence the name) were issued to German and Italian RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana) units fighting in Northern Italy. The FNAB-43 was an expensive weapon to manufacture as it used extensive milling and precision engineering in its manufacture.

Description

{{external media

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| image1 = [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/0/0d/FNAB_43.jpg FNAB-43]

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The FNAB-43 uses a lever-delayed blowback system, firing from the closed bolt position. The bolt is a two-piece unit with a pivoted lever interposed between bolt head and body. Upon firing, the bolt head retracts, and begins to rotate the lever; the base of which is against a lug in the body. This lever is pivoted to delay the opening movement in order to allow the bullet to leave the barrel. The breech pressure then drops before the lever has completed its rotation. The movement of the lever then presses the free end against the bolt body and accelerates the bolt's movement to the rear. The base of the lever then pulls clear of the lug, and the whole bolt unit continues to recoil as one piece. Upon returning, the lever again engages the lug and pivots forward; in doing so, removing a coupling which allows the firing pin to move only when the bolt is fully forward (in battery). Despite claims of this allowing for a slow firing cyclic rate of 400 rounds per minute,{{Cite web |date=2012-06-06 |title=Italian FNA-B43 |url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/submachine-guns/italian-fna-b43/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.forgottenweapons.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=FNAB Model 1943 Submachine Gun (SMG) |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=1036 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=www.militaryfactory.com}} when tested, provides a cyclic rate of 837 rounds per minute.{{Cite web |last=Lamothe |first=Arnaud |date=2024-08-10 |title=The Italian FNAB-43 submachine gun – LAI Publications |url=https://www.laipublications.com/en/livre/les-pistolet-mitrailleurs-italien-des-deux-guerre-mondiales-recueil-darticles/the-italian-fnab-43-submachine-gun/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Lai Publications |language=en-US}} This live firing example was provided with modern 9x19 parabellum ammunition, so it is most likely that the cyclic rate that was see in World War II is slightly lower.

The FNAB-43 also utilizes a muzzle brake and compensator built into the barrel shroud. The magazine well is hinged so that the magazine can lie beneath the barrel similarly to the French MAT-49. The single metal bar stock can be folded upwards, rendering the weapon more compact.

Notes

References

Hogg, Ian (1978). The Encyclopedia of Infantry Weapons of World War II. London: Arms & Armour Press. {{ISBN|0-85368-281-X}}.
Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John S. (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. 7th edition. Iola, WI: Krause Publishing. {{ISBN|0-87341-824-7}}.

External links

[http://www.secondeguerre.net/articles/armes/it/pm/ar_fnab43.html Secundeguerre.net] (French)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20180613092207/http://www.comandosupremo.com/Fnab.html Supreme Command] (Italian)
[http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2300/2309.htm FNAB-43 at Security arms]
[http://www.forgottenweapons.com/submachine-guns/italian-fna-b43/ FNAB 43]
[https://www.laipublications.com/en/livre/les-pistolet-mitrailleurs-italien-des-deux-guerre-mondiales-recueil-darticles/the-italian-fnab-43-submachine-gun/?menu_open=1 The Italian FNAB-43 submachine gun – LAI Publications]

Category:9mm Parabellum submachine guns

Category:Lever-delayed blowback firearms

Category:Submachine guns of Italy

Category:World War II infantry weapons of Italy

Category:World War II submachine guns

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1944