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Cei-Rigotti
The Cei-Rigotti is an Italian select-fire battle rifle produced in the early 1900s. The weapon was made by Amerigo Cei-Rigotto, an officer in the Italian Army at the time. The rifle was select fire, though the actual rate of fire is unclear, with estimates usually ranging from 300 to 600 RPM. Multiple variants of the rifle were produced. The capacity of the original 6.5mm version was introduced in 6 (rifle/carbine), 25 (rifle), and 30 (carbine) (two-row column mag) rounds. All were fixed magazines that were only removable for cleaning (removal of the magazine required removal of the trigger guard). According to the surviving documents, they should have been refilled using a 6-round, large 25-round, or two 15-round charger clips, respectively. Later developed 7.65mm models had either a 10-round or 20-round magazine. There is an unconfirmed report that a model tested in Greece utilized a 50 round magazine and fired at 900 rounds per minute, but there is no evidence that this report is true and it is rather difficult to imagine what such a magazine would actually look like. There is also information about the version under 7.62x54mm R; although it was ordered for a second round of trials in Russia in 1911, they were never built due to inconsistencies in payment.
The Cei-Rigotti was tested by many nations, yet all potential offers failed, suggesting that the weapon was not very effective. Only about 257 Cei-Rigottis were produced between 1898 and 1911 and it never saw military usage. Two variants of the Cei-Rigotti exist, a long rifle version and a carbine version. The carbine version (pictured on the right) is noted by a much shorter length and much smaller distance between the magazine and trigger group.
There is also fragmentary data that later, during the First World War, Rigotti created an updated version to participate in the submachine gun competition, which was eventually won by the Beretta M1918. One can only assume that this version must be chamber in 9x19mm Glisenti and used the Villar-Perosa M1915 detachable magazines. This prototype has not survived.
Specifications
(1898 - 1911)
- Type: Battle Rifle / Light Machine Gun (50 round version would qualify as the latter if it actually existed)
- Caliber: 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano, 7.65x53mm Mauser
- Capacity: 6, 10, 20, 25, 30, 50(?) round fixed magazine
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto
The Cei-Rigotti and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battlefield 1 | 2016 |