Cei-Rigotti: Difference between revisions
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According to Morin, Cei Rigotti filled at least four different patents:{{sfn|Morin|1974|page=223}} | According to Morin, Cei Rigotti filled at least four different patents:{{sfn|Morin|1974|page=223}} | ||
* Patent no. 38,428 dated March | * Patent no. 38,428 dated 21 March 1895. | ||
* Patent no. 51,806 dated May | * Patent no. 51,806 dated 19 May 1899. | ||
* Patent no. 67,116 dated March | * Patent no. 67,116 dated 15 March 1903. | ||
* Patent no. 119,210 dated July | * Patent no. 119,210 dated 19 July 1911. | ||
Commonly known in the Italian press as the Cei | Commonly known in the Italian press as the Cei gas rifle, it attracted widespread attention in international military circles for a time, while the Italian arms company Glisenti-Bettoni managed to secure the rights to produce the rifle and attempted to sell it in Italy and abroad.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|page=1041}} | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
The rifle is [[Gas-operated reloading|gas operated]] and has [[selective fire]] capabilities (single shots or fully automatic).{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|page=1040}} According to several publications, the prototype rifle was chambered for the [[6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano]].{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|page=1041}}<ref name="Westwood2005">{{cite book|author=David Westwood|title=Rifles: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hLBTkNZ8U44C&pg=PA364|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-401-1|page=364}}</ref> | The rifle is [[Gas-operated reloading|gas operated]] and has [[selective fire]] capabilities (single shots or fully automatic).{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|page=1040}} According to several publications, the prototype rifle was chambered for the [[6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano]].{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|page=1041}}<ref name="Westwood2005">{{cite book|author=David Westwood|title=Rifles: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hLBTkNZ8U44C&pg=PA364|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-401-1|page=364}}</ref> | ||
According to the patent drawing of 1895, the Cei-Rigotti | According to the patent drawing of 1895, the Cei-Rigotti is a device attached to a Swiss [[Schmidt–Rubin#Schmidt–Rubin|Schmidt–Rubin 1889]] (or any other [[straight pull]] bolt-action rifle), converting it into an automatic weapon. A hole was drilled into the barrel and part of the gases generated during fire compress a spring which moves a piston that opens and closes the bolt.{{sfn|Morin|1974|page=223}} | ||
Another 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,<ref name="fw"/> but in reality it is used to release the bolt without accidentally firing the weapon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g317yW6Sdvo&t=968s |title = Firearms Expert Reacts To Battlefield 1’s Guns PART 2 |date = 26 November 2022 |work=GameSpot }}</ref> The trigger guard assembly was also connected to the magazine, and needed to be removed in order for the magazine to be replaced.<ref name="fw"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/02/sturmgewehr-assault-rifle-developments-prior-1942/|title = Before the Sturmgewehr: Assault Rifle Developments Prior to 1942 -|date = 2 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429051800/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/02/sturmgewehr-assault-rifle-developments-prior-1942/|archive-date=April 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref | The 1899 patent is similar, but it was attached to a [[rotating bolt]] action rifle instead and had a semi-automatic fire mode.{{sfn|Morin|1974|pages=225,226,231}} According to Baker, a small hole was bored on the muzzle end of the barrel and part of the gases operate a rotary cylinder which opens the breech, extracts spent cartridges and closes the bolt, which then releases the striker, repeating the process until the rifle runs out of ammunition. In semi-auto mode, a lever-operated mechanism is used to interrupt the striker, requiring the shooter to pull the trigger to fire another round. Reportedly, this device could be attached to any [[Bolt action#Mauser|Mauser bolt-action]] rifle without significantly increasing the weight.{{sfn|Baker|1900|page=142}} According to a Glisenti-Bettoni catalog, two different versions were made: a six-round infantry rifle and a navy 'machine gun-rifle' with a 20-round magazine; Morin mentions that prototypes with 30-round and 50-round magazines were reportedly made,{{sfn|Morin|1974|page=234}} while Baker mentions a 25-round magazine version.{{sfn|Baker|1900|page=142}} | ||
The 1903 patent is an refinement of the previous prototypes. It features a small hole drilled on the right side of the barrel and connected to a cylinder where the gases are tapped in, moving a piston connected to the [[breechblock]]. A recoil spring mounted in the piston closes the breech automatically. According to W. H. B. Smith and Joseph E. Smith, the action stays open after the magazine is empty.{{sfn|Morin|1974|pages=234−237}}{{sfn|Smith|Smith|1963|page=68}} | |||
The 1911 patent{{efn|Johnston and Nelson errouneously mention that it was the 1895 patent.}} is a [[direct impingement]] action, with a piston system featuring two separate springs to open and close the breech. According to Johnston and Nelson, it was intended to soften the recoil, but also made the gun unnecessarily complicated.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1040−1041}}{{sfn|Morin|1974|pages=238−239}} | |||
Another 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,<ref name="fw"/> but in reality it is used to release the bolt without accidentally firing the weapon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g317yW6Sdvo&t=968s |title = Firearms Expert Reacts To Battlefield 1’s Guns PART 2 |date = 26 November 2022 |work=GameSpot }}</ref> The trigger guard assembly was also connected to the magazine, and needed to be removed in order for the magazine to be replaced.<ref name="fw"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/02/sturmgewehr-assault-rifle-developments-prior-1942/|title = Before the Sturmgewehr: Assault Rifle Developments Prior to 1942 -|date = 2 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429051800/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/02/sturmgewehr-assault-rifle-developments-prior-1942/|archive-date=April 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Full sized rifle and carbine (both automatic and selective fire) prototypes were made. At least one Cei-Rigotti automatic carbine was tested by the British in 1901.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1041−1043}} | Full sized rifle and carbine (both automatic and selective fire) prototypes were made. At least one Cei-Rigotti automatic carbine was tested by the British in 1901.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1041−1043}} | ||
| Line 53: | Line 59: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The gun was supposedly presented by Cei-Rigotti to his superiors in a private demonstration in 1895. An Italian newspaper reported on this event in 1900.<ref name="Miller2003"/> According to another source, a demonstration was actually held publicly in Rome on June 13, 1900, when 300 rounds were fired on full automatic before the gun got so hot it seized up. | The gun was supposedly presented by Cei-Rigotti to his superiors in a private demonstration in 1895. An Italian newspaper reported on this event in 1900.<ref name="Miller2003"/> According to another source, a demonstration was actually held publicly in Rome on June 13, 1900, when 300 rounds were fired on full automatic before the gun got so hot it seized up.{{sfn|Smith|Smith|1963|page=68}} Yet another source mentions a demonstration in the same year in [[Brescia]], where the inventor fired 15 shots in one second.{{sfn|Baker|1900|page=142}} | ||
The British also ordered and tested the gun after this event, but they found it unsuitable.<ref name="Miller2003">{{cite book|author=David Miller|title=The illustrated directory of twentieth century guns|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d9AftMZgOOkC&pg=PA224|year=2003|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=978-0-7603-1560-6|pages=224–225}}</ref> According to Johnston and Nelson, representants from Glisenti-Bettoni demonstrated the Cei-Rigotti at the [[Royal Small Arms Factory]] in March, 1901.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages= | The British also ordered and tested the gun after this event, but they found it unsuitable.<ref name="Miller2003">{{cite book|author=David Miller|title=The illustrated directory of twentieth century guns|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d9AftMZgOOkC&pg=PA224|year=2003|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=978-0-7603-1560-6|pages=224–225}}</ref> According to Johnston and Nelson, representants from Glisenti-Bettoni demonstrated the Cei-Rigotti at the [[Royal Small Arms Factory]] in March, 1901. British test reports noted that the rifle was nearly uncontrollable in full-automatic mode.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1040−1041}} The rifle found at the UK [[National Firearms Centre]] in Leeds is chambered in [[7.65x53mm Mauser]], as is another example found in a U.S. private collection.<ref name="fw"/> | ||
The Italian [[Ministry of War (Italy)|War Ministry]] purchased a small batch of rifles in 1911 for trial tests in [[Libya]], but like other Italian pre-WWI self-loading designs, no mass production ever took place.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1040−1041}} | The Italian [[Ministry of War (Italy)|War Ministry]] purchased a small batch of rifles in 1911 for trial tests in [[Libya]], but like other Italian pre-WWI self-loading designs, no mass production ever took place.{{sfn|Johnston|Nelson|2016|pages=1040−1041}} | ||
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*[[Fusil Automatique Modèle 1917]] | *[[Fusil Automatique Modèle 1917]] | ||
===References | ==Notes== | ||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
===Bibliography=== | ===Bibliography=== | ||
{{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
*{{cite journal |editor1-last=Baker |editor1-first=Max |title=Notes |journal=Arms & Explosives |date=September 1900 |volume=8 |issue=96 |pages=140-142 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvZYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA142&dq=cei-rigotti&hl=pt-BR&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh2tDe_oGOAxVXH7kGHT9mI4UQ6AF6BAgGEAM |access-date=21 June 2025 |publisher=Effingham House |location=London |language=en}} | |||
*{{cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Gary Paul |last2=Nelson |first2=Thomas B. |title=The World's Assault Rifles |date=2016 |publisher=Ironside International Publishers, Inc. |isbn=978-1-61984-601-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z3O6DQAAQBAJ|language=en}} | *{{cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Gary Paul |last2=Nelson |first2=Thomas B. |title=The World's Assault Rifles |date=2016 |publisher=Ironside International Publishers, Inc. |isbn=978-1-61984-601-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z3O6DQAAQBAJ|language=en}} | ||
*{{cite book |last1=Morin |first1=Marco |title=Morin Dal Carcano Al FAL V. 2 |date=1974 |publisher=Editoriale Olimpia |location=Florence |url=https://archive.org/details/MorinDalCarcanoAlFALV.2/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |language=It}} | *{{cite book |last1=Morin |first1=Marco |title=Morin Dal Carcano Al FAL V. 2 |date=1974 |publisher=Editoriale Olimpia |location=Florence |url=https://archive.org/details/MorinDalCarcanoAlFALV.2/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |language=It}} | ||
*{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Walter Harold Black |last2=Smith |first2=Joseph E. |title=The book of rifles |date=1963 |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Harrisburg, PA |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofrifles0000smit/ |url-access=registration}} | |||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
Latest revision as of 05:49, 29 June 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
The Cei-Rigotti (also known as the Cei gas rifle[1]) is an early automatic rifle created in the final years of the 19th century by Amerigo Cei-Rigotti, an officer in the Royal Italian Army. Although the rifle was never officially adopted by any military, it was tested extensively by the Italian Army during the lead-up to the First World War.[2]
Background
The Italians developed self-loading rifles as early as 1893, and one of the earliest self-loading designs to show some practical value was the Cei-Rigotti rifle, created by Captain Amerigo Cei Rigotti of the Bersaglieri.Template:Sfn
According to Morin, Cei Rigotti filled at least four different patents:Template:Sfn
- Patent no. 38,428 dated 21 March 1895.
- Patent no. 51,806 dated 19 May 1899.
- Patent no. 67,116 dated 15 March 1903.
- Patent no. 119,210 dated 19 July 1911.
Commonly known in the Italian press as the Cei gas rifle, it attracted widespread attention in international military circles for a time, while the Italian arms company Glisenti-Bettoni managed to secure the rights to produce the rifle and attempted to sell it in Italy and abroad.Template:Sfn
Description
The rifle is gas operated and has selective fire capabilities (single shots or fully automatic).Template:Sfn According to several publications, the prototype rifle was chambered for the 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano.Template:Sfn[3]
According to the patent drawing of 1895, the Cei-Rigotti is a device attached to a Swiss Schmidt–Rubin 1889 (or any other straight pull bolt-action rifle), converting it into an automatic weapon. A hole was drilled into the barrel and part of the gases generated during fire compress a spring which moves a piston that opens and closes the bolt.Template:Sfn
The 1899 patent is similar, but it was attached to a rotating bolt action rifle instead and had a semi-automatic fire mode.Template:Sfn According to Baker, a small hole was bored on the muzzle end of the barrel and part of the gases operate a rotary cylinder which opens the breech, extracts spent cartridges and closes the bolt, which then releases the striker, repeating the process until the rifle runs out of ammunition. In semi-auto mode, a lever-operated mechanism is used to interrupt the striker, requiring the shooter to pull the trigger to fire another round. Reportedly, this device could be attached to any Mauser bolt-action rifle without significantly increasing the weight.Template:Sfn According to a Glisenti-Bettoni catalog, two different versions were made: a six-round infantry rifle and a navy 'machine gun-rifle' with a 20-round magazine; Morin mentions that prototypes with 30-round and 50-round magazines were reportedly made,Template:Sfn while Baker mentions a 25-round magazine version.Template:Sfn
The 1903 patent is an refinement of the previous prototypes. It features a small hole drilled on the right side of the barrel and connected to a cylinder where the gases are tapped in, moving a piston connected to the breechblock. A recoil spring mounted in the piston closes the breech automatically. According to W. H. B. Smith and Joseph E. Smith, the action stays open after the magazine is empty.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
The 1911 patentTemplate:Efn is a direct impingement action, with a piston system featuring two separate springs to open and close the breech. According to Johnston and Nelson, it was intended to soften the recoil, but also made the gun unnecessarily complicated.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Another 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.[4] 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.[5]
Full sized rifle and carbine (both automatic and selective fire) prototypes were made. At least one Cei-Rigotti automatic carbine was tested by the British in 1901.Template:Sfn
History
The gun was supposedly presented by Cei-Rigotti to his superiors in a private demonstration in 1895. An Italian newspaper reported on this event in 1900.[6] According to another source, a demonstration was actually held publicly in Rome on June 13, 1900, when 300 rounds were fired on full automatic before the gun got so hot it seized up.Template:Sfn Yet another source mentions a demonstration in the same year in Brescia, where the inventor fired 15 shots in one second.Template:Sfn
The British also ordered and tested the gun after this event, but they found it unsuitable.[6] According to Johnston and Nelson, representants from Glisenti-Bettoni demonstrated the Cei-Rigotti at the Royal Small Arms Factory in March, 1901. British test reports noted that the rifle was nearly uncontrollable in full-automatic mode.Template:Sfn The rifle found at the UK National Firearms Centre in Leeds is chambered in 7.65x53mm Mauser, as is another example found in a U.S. private collection.[2]
The Italian War Ministry purchased a small batch of rifles in 1911 for trial tests in Libya, but like other Italian pre-WWI self-loading designs, no mass production ever took place.Template:Sfn
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
Notes
References
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Bibliography
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