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| Carabine-mitrailleuse Ribeyrolles Modèle 1918 | |
|---|---|
Ribeyrolles 1918
| |
| Type | Automatic rifle/Assault Rifle |
| Place of origin | France |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ribeyrolles |
| Designed | 1916[citation needed] |
| Produced | 1916 to 1920[citation needed] |
| No. built | 1 (conjecture) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.1 kg (11 lb) unloaded[citation needed] |
| Length | 1,090 mm (43 in)[citation needed] |
| Barrel length | 450 mm (18 in)[citation needed] |
| Cartridge | 8×35mm Ribeyrolles |
| Action | Direct blowback[1] |
| Rate of fire | 550–600 rounds per minute[citation needed] |
| Muzzle velocity | 570 m/s (1,900 ft/s)[citation needed] |
| Effective firing range | 400 m (440 yd)[1] |
| Feed system | 25-round box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Ribeyrolles 1918 was an attempt to manufacture an automatic rifle for the French forces. It was chambered in the experimental 8×35mm round, used straight blowback, was fed from a 25-round detachable magazine and had an effective range of 400 meters. The cartridge, which some argue was the first purpose-built intermediate cartridge, was obtained by necking down the .351 Winchester Self-Loading.[1] Another source indicates that it was chambered in a cartridge designated 8×32mmSR.[2]
Its official name was Carabine Mitrailleuse 1918[citation needed] ("Machine Carbine 1918" in English); in a 2007 book it appears as "fusil automatique Ribeyrolles 1918".[2] The Ribeyrolles had the distinction of being fitted with a lightweight bipod on the front (indicating an intended use as a squad automatic weapon) and a rifle bayonet identical to that of the Berthier Model 1907/15.
