Cei-Rigotti

• Illustration — This circa 1900 photo shows an Italian soldier demonstrating charging and firing a standard and high capacity version of the Cei-Rigotti rifle. The charging clip holds about 25 rounds. • Illustration — The Cei-Rigotti rifle field stripped. • Illustration — A version of the Cei-Rigotti rifle in 1900. The rifle is gas operated and has selective fire capabilities (single shots or fully automatic). According to several publications, the prototype rifle was chambered for the 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano. 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. The 1899 patent is similar, but it was attached to a rotating bolt action rifle instead and had a semi-automatic fire mode. 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. 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, while Baker mentions a 25-round magazine version. 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. The 1911 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. 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, but in reality it is used to release the bolt without accidentally firing the weapon. The trigger guard assembly was also connected to the magazine, and needed to be removed in order for the magazine to be replaced. 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. 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.