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Object Title

Glisenti Modello 1910 pistol

Development

This short recoil operated pistol was patented in 1906-07 by Italian Army officer Abiel Bethel Revelli di Beaumont (1864-1930). Originally an artillery officer, Revelli became a very accomplished designer. Having developed the Revelli-Terni rifle in 1909, he later invented the more famously known Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914, machine gun and the Fiat Modello 1915 (Villar Perosa) sub-machine gun.

The Modello 1910 was patented by Revelli for the company Societa Siderugica Glisenti, who acquired the machinery to begin production from the United Kingdom. However Glisenti sold the manufacturing rights to Metallurgica Brescia gia Tempini. Around 100,000 Modello 1910s were produced between 1910 and 1915. The Savoy crest sits prominently on the black chequered grips. King Vittorio Emanuele III, ruled the Kingdom of Italy at the time of the War and was a Savoy-Carignano, a branch of the House of Savoy.

The 1906 patent of this pistol originally intend it for use with a 7.65mm Glisenti cartridge. Not powerful enough for military use, the cartridge was up graded to the 9mm Glisenti, which was specially developed for this pistol. Based on the German 9x19mm Parabellum, it was significantly less powerful. This cartridge was also used in other Italian firearms at the time such as the Villar Perosa and the Beretta Model 1915 pistol.

Use and effect

The pistol was adopted by the Italian army, and used from 1910 until the 1920s. It replaced the six shot Bodeo Model 1889 revolver, which was never declared obsolete and saw use throughout both world wars. The Modello 1910 had a number of flaws, which ultimately effected its time in service. Amongst them the Bakelite grips were very weak and often cracked, resulting in them being replaced with wooden ones. The power of the pistol could not rival that of other short recoil pistols. Due to the design of the firing system, it could not withstand cartridges as strong as the 9x19mm Parabellum, hence the decision to adopt the 9mm Glisenti. This weaker cartridge produced a lower muzzle velocity, in turn affecting the penetrative power of the pistol.

In 1912 an attempt was made to improve the pistol. A simplified model was issued, called the 'Brixia'. It had a strengthened frame, had its safety grips removed and weighed 150 g (5 oz) more. However the cartridge remained the same. The Brixia was still not enough of an improvement for the Italian army and so it was instead to be sold on the cillivian market, however the outbreak of the War lead to this venture being cancelled.

The Modello 1910 began to be phased out by the Spanish produced Ruby pistol and the Beretta Modello 1915. The Modello 1910 was declared obsolete in 1934, however it saw limited service in the Second World War, despite being superseded by the Beretta.

Statistics

Action / Operating system Blowback

Barrel length 10 cm (3.94 in)

Calibre / Bore 9 mm Glisenti (.35 in)

Capacity (rounds) 7

Country of manufacture Italy

Date entered service 1910

Effective range 21 m (23 yd)

Feed Box magazine

Manufacturer Metallurgica Brescia gia Tempini

Muzzle velocity 305 m/s (1000 ft/s)

Overall length 20.7 cm (8.15 in)