Standard Italian MMG of WW2. Gas operated and air cooled it uses feed trays from which the cartridge is pushed into the chamber-fired-empty cartridge case returned to feed tray before feed tray ejected. By far the best of Italian machine guns used in World War Two the Breda Model 37 was reliable and used in many varying climatic conditions with good results. This example was exported to Portugal where it was classified as the M1938.
Marks and Stamps: (Top of receiver) Portuguese Crest 1938 M.P. BREDA 7.9 No 553 (L side of receiver) ROMA 1939 - XVII No 553 (Barrel) 6214| Accession Number: 286 | Period of Use: WW2 |
| Type: Machine gun | War Zones: |
| Country of Origin: Italy | Type Date: 1937 |
| Manufacturer: Societa Anonima Ernesto Breda, Brescia | Serial Number: 553 |
| Manufacture Date: 1939 | Calibre/Ammunition: 8mm |
| Weight: 19500g | Length Overall: 1270mm |
| Cyclic Rate: 475rpm | Length Barrel: 679mm |
| Deactivation Certificate Number: CG 4952 |