Glisenti Model 1910 semi-automatic pistol

The Italian Army took on the Model 1910 Glisenti in an attempt to field a semi-automatic pistol to
replace their aged "Bodeo" series of revolvers. The Bodeo Model 1889 pistol was chambered for the
unique 10.4x22R Italian Ordnance cartridge and became the standard issue service revolver of the
Italian Army in 1891. The type was produced on a large scale by a variety of manufactures with
many seeing combat service in World War 1 and beyond. The Model 1910 attempted to take the reins
of the Bodeo series as the standardized Italian Army service pistol.<br />
<br />
The differences in revolvers and semi-automatic pistols were
large - revolvers generally being more reliable and easier to
maintain though heavier in base weight. Semi-automatic
firearms, on the other hand, were relatively lighter though
mechanically complex, requiting much in the way of
maintenance for proper function. Many turn-of-the-century
warriors held a preferred their trusty revolvers as opposed to
the new-fangled semi-automatic breeds beginning to take
hold. As such, it was often rough going for any modern selfloading design attempting to move into territory where there
stalwart soldiers were concerned.<br />
<br />
The Italian Model 1910 design was attributed to Italian Army
Captain Betel Abiel Revelli whose last name would head
several recognized Italian combat firearms. With the official
patent for a new semi-automatic pistol design in hand,
Revelli arranged a partnership with Societa Siderugica
Glisenti in 1902 to begin manufacturing the new gun in
quantity with the intent of replacing the aged Bodeo
revolvers. Glisenti facilities modified its lines in 1906 in the
lead up to production of the pistol but the concern abruptly
abandoned the firearms business altogether, selling its control
to Metallurgica Bresciana gia Tempini ("MBT"). As such, the
Revelli product now found a new owner.<br />
<br />
MBT pushed forward in bringing the pistol - the Glisenti
Model 1906 (7.65x22mm) - to market through the Italian
Army with production beginning in 1908. After a period of
evaluation, the 7.65x22mm cartridge was found lacking in its
stopping power when compared to its contemporaries
elsewhere in Europe - namely the German 9x19 Parabellum
pistol round. This forced MBT to re-engineer the Model 1906
into a revised form chambered for a similar 9mm cartridge.
Dimensionally, the Italian 9x19mm Glisenti was the same as
the German Parabellum round though a lower charged was
provided so as not to exceed the structural strength of the
Model 1906's internal workings. Consequently, if a fullpower 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge had been utilized, it had
the capability to "explode" the receiver outright as it was
formed of two parallel sides joined by a knurled knob ahead
of the trigger group. The new gun emerged as the "Model
1910" and it was this version that was officially excepted into
Italian Army service as a standardized officer's pistol under

the formal designation of "Pistola Automatica, Modello 1910,

(Glisenti)".<br />
<br />
Outwardly, the Model 1910 mimicked an appearance
popularized by the German Luger P08 semi-automatic pistol.
Actually any resemblance to the successful German pistol
was superficial as the Model 1910 was a wholly Italian
undertaking. The receiver was largely boxy and housed the
internal working components. The rounded barrel protruded
at the front and was capped by a forward iron sight. The
trigger group was integrated into the receiver and featured a
curved trigger assembly encapsulated by a rounded trigger
ring. The pistol grip sported a heavily checkered design and
was slightly angled rearwards for a sound ergonomic hold.
The weapon operated from a short-recoil principle with a
locked breech - the barrel and bolt recoiling together when
firing. There was no traditional cocking lever or handle, the
action managed by a long trigger pull instead. The weapon
was fed from a seven-round detachable box magazine
inserted into the base of the grip.<br />
<br />
In service, the Model 1910 suffered along two key design
fronts. The first was in the structurally weak receiver which
tended to loosen over repeat firings. The second major
drawback remained the weak 9x19mm Glisenti round with its
lower muzzle velocity of 1,050 feet per second (compared to
the German 9x19mm Parabellum's 1,300 feet per second
rating). While firing a larger cartridge, it did not have the
inherent stopping power of the German 9x19mm.<br />
<br />
In 1912, MBT attempted to improve upon the original Model
1910 design by offering the "Model 1912" - otherwise known
as the "Brixia" (as the MBT concern was also known as
"Brixia of Brescia"). The frame was reinforced while the
grip-mounted safety was dropped. After a period of
evaluation with Italian authorities, the design proved no
better than the Model 1910 it attempted to replace. With the
arrival of World War 1 in 1914, this "Brixia" endeavor fell to
history.<br />
<br />
Despite its limitations, the Model 1910 went on to see combat
service with Italian Army forces in World War 1. It was
entirely not well-received as many still preferred their trusty
revolvers or moved to a competing Beretta design. As such,
the Model 1910 never did replace the Bodeo revolver series
outright and both types were utilized throughout the war
concurrently.<br />
<br />
Serial production of Model 1910s ended in the early 1920s
though their circulation was still apparent as officers were
still handed the weapon into 1935. By this time, however,

many had devolved from officer's pistols to second-line

personnel in the Italian Army. Furthermore, the influx of very
capable and favorable Beretta sidearms further doomed the
Glisenti series which could never match its competitor
pound-for-pound. Despite their general disuse, the Model
1910 managed an existence prior to and throughout World
War 2, their final notable actions recorded in 1945. In 1934,
the Beretta Model 1934 was officially named the standard
Italian Army semi-automatic pistol.<br />
<br />
Never a stellar design and hampered by weak engineering as
well as a weak cartridge, the Model 1910 was never destined
for any level of fame other than what history revealed. The
older Bodeo revolver actually outlasted the Model 1910
Glisenti in production.
Model 1906 - Original Glisenti design chambered for the 7.65x22mm cartridge.<br /><hr
width='100%' color='#eaeaea'>
Model 1910 - Revised Model
1906 chambered for 9x19mm
Glisenti cartridge.<br /><hr
width='100%'
color='#eaeaea'>
Model 1912 "Brixia" Attempted improved Model
1910; sans grip safety;
strengthened receiver
The Glisenti M1910 pistol (official name <em>Pistola Automatica Modello 910</em>) was designed
by Italian army officer Bethel Abiel Revelli in around 1905 for Italian gun-making company
Fabbrica d&rsquo;Armi Glisenti. In 1907 the design and tooling for this gun were sold to
Metallurgica Bresciana gia Tempini (MBT). Originally produced in 7.65mm caliber, this pistol was
tested by Italian Army, and, after certain modifications (including the caliber increase to 9mm) it was
formally adopted by Italian army. A total of about 33,000 Glisenti M1910 pistols were produced by
MBT. Thee pistols were used by Italian army during World War 1 and were mostly phased out of
service by the start of the WW2.</p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The Brixia M1913 (official name <em>Pistola
Automatica Modello 913 tipo Regia
Marina</em>) evolved from the Glisenti
M1910, but it had numerous small changes so
not a single part of M1913 is compatible with
M1910 pistol, and vice versa. The Brixia
M1913 pistol is slightly more streamlined in
appearance, and many parts were simplified
and strengthened. Developed for Italian Navy
(Regia Marina), few Brixia M1913 pistols
were also produced for civilian market. About
5,000 of the Brixia M1913 pistols were
delivered to Navy in 1913-14.</p>
<p>

&nbsp;</p>
<p>
An important note about ammunition for
Glisenti M1910 and Brixia M1913 pistols:
their 9mm Glisenti ammunition was
dimensionally similar to ubiquitous 9x19
Luger / Parabellum ammunition, but it was
loaded to lower pressures due to relatively
weak design of the M1910 pistol. Loading and
firing any 9x19 Luger ammunition in these
pistols could result in serious problems,
including physical damage to the gun and to
the shooter. From a pistol, 9mm Glisenti round
developed muzzle velocity of about 320m/s
with 8gram bullet.</p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The Glisenti M1910 pistol is short recoil
operated, locked breech pistol. It has a separate
bolt (breechblock) of rectangular cross-section
which moves inside square-shaped receiver
(barrel extension) and protrudes at the rear.
Barrel locking is achieved by a vertical lever,
positioned on the frame which interacts with
the barrel extension and the bolt. Pistol is
striker-fired, with unusual &ldquo;turnkey&rdquo; manual safety located at the rear
of the bolt. Automated manual safety was built
into the front strap of the pistol grip (Brixia
M1913 pistols had no grip safety). An unusual
feature of the gun was than entire left side plate
of the frame could be easily removed by
unscrewing the retaining screw at in front and
above the trigger guard. This simplified
disassembly and maintenance but also
noticeably weakened the design. Gun was fed
from detachable single stack magazines
holding 7 rounds of ammunition each.</p>