Isotta Fraschini was an Italian firm in Cavaria best known for making luxury automobiles before World War Two. It entered the arms industry during the war. It made mostly heavy weapons like aircraft cannons, and not small arms, but the chief designer Albertini began working on a submachine gun in 1943. It eventually went into production in late 1944 and early 1945, but only in very small numbers – estimates are 250-500 guns total. These included two distinct models; one using MP40 magazines (as seen here) and one using Beretta 38 magazines.
The most distinctive and interesting element of the Albertini design is the extremely simple construction. It is not just a stamped sheet metal gun, but rather one that can be built almost entirely with a press break and basic punch instead of requiring stamping dies. The parts are riveted together instead of welded, further reducing already-simple production methods.
Thanks to Beretta for giving me access to this example from there reference museum to show to film for you!
“(…)chief designer Albertini began working on a submachine gun(…)”
https://svppbellum.blogspot.com/2020/02/il-mitra-isotta-fraschini-modello.html claims that this was done by 3 people: …It was designed by engineer Giuseppe Albertini, Ezio Robecchi and Livio Segatta, respectively director, designer and head of the experience section of the weapons division of Isotta Fraschini in Cavaria…
“(…)eventually went into production in late 1944 and early 1945, but only in very small numbers(…)”
And then to units: …They armed the Nembo paratroopers department and the Xª MAS. The liberation of Milan and Varese on 25 April 1945 interrupted production. The remaining specimens were taken by local partisan brigades.
“(…)two distinct models(…)”
https://www.traxarm.it/catalogo-scheda.php?id=3354 provides photos of example with following short description RARISSIMA PISTOLA MITRAGLIATRICE DELLA RSI PRODOTTA DALLA ISOTTA FRASCHINI SU PROGETTO DELL´ING. ALBERTINI IN POCHISSIMI ESEMPLARI (250) ALLA FINE DEL 1944 IN DUE VERSIONI, CON SERBATOIO DI MAB E CON QUELLO DI MP.40 (II MODELLO). CONDIZIONI which seems like referencing MP.40 magazine as 2nd model, though I am not sure about that, as I do not know Italiano and thus have to rely at machine translation.
A WWII Axis firearm that actually embraced the KISS principle?
Let alone appearing to do it well.
I’m impressed and somewhat shocked.
For another example see EMP-44 https://guns.fandom.com/wiki/EMP-44
British commentators were unimpressed with the weapon’s rudimentary build but considered it functionally decent.
Conventional RIVETS can be LOTS MORE DIFFICULT than welding. LOTS MORE.
Pop rivets are lots easier, but the material sticking out the rivet backside probably wont work in a weapon.
Rivets have been used on various machine guns such as the M1919, M2 and FN MAG to hold the receiver side plates together.
Also, in the 1940s riveting was a well-tried and understood metal-joining process, while welding (either gas or heli-arc) was a relatively new and still more or less trial-and-error process.
Reference the problems with the construction of the Liberty and Victory ships in the U.S. Yes, some Liberty ships actually did break in two- at weld seams.
clear ether
eon
What revolutionarized whole deal is spot welding, though on some guns you stil need classic beads, like near trunnions. Or on some AKs, trunnion is both spot welded and riveted
Spot welding was not new in WWII. Already in WWI Italian helmets had the crest spot welded, IE.
BUT to spot weld requires an industrial equipment that most workshops didn’t have in the ’40s (or now, for that matter), and this SMG is designed to be a workshop-level manufacturing.
Small workshops really begun to weld with the diffusion of shielded metal arc welding in the ’50s.
As stated, this is workshop-level construction (apart for the bolt). Ideally, that would have allowed to spread production and keep it safe from bombings.
Much small workshops in the ’40s didn’t have a welding machine. But all of them could rivet.
Isotta Fraschini had been the manufacturer of Alfredo Scotti’s designs throughout the ’30s. Scotti himself was not a manufacturer, but an inventor that sold his patents and designs. IE this is the Isotta Fraschini stand at the Milan Exibition 1935.
https://www.akg-images.fr/previews/768×768/r/o/p/n/12007046@1.jpg
https://www.lombardiabeniculturali.it/assets/immagini/liv2/AF310RLSUP/SC/F/u3010/0002/F_SUP-u3010-0002074_IMG-0000716762.jpg
https://www.lombardiabeniculturali.it/assets/immagini/liv2/AF310RLSUP/SC/F/u3010/0002/F_SUP-u3010-0002092_IMG-0000716780.jpg
Holes on front handguard are very distinctive and funny, but can serve as an easy friend or foe identification!
‘Don’t shoot till you see the holes in their handguards!’ Bunker Hill goes Italian
No Sunset Boulevard mention?