6,5x52
AMMUNITION MODELS
Ordinary Bullet cartridge, mod. 91
The cartridge, developed by Luigi Scotti, Chief Technician of the Bologna Ammo Factory, was designed for the new Model 91 rifle. After experimenting with wax-coated and brass-jacketed lead bullets, the decision was made to use a Maillechort (nickel silver) jacket. The 10.45-gram (161g) bullet, held in place by the case collar, was cylindrical-ogival in shape.
The Berdan-style primer, made of brass, contained a mixture of mercury fulminate, potassium chlorate, and antimony sulfide, and was protected by a sealing paint. The propellant charge consisted of 1.95 grams of No. 1 Ballistite grains, separated from the bullet by a layer of cotton wool.
Manufacturing marks, including the inspector's initials, the factory code (B for Bologna, C for Capua), and the last two digits of the year, were stamped on the base of the cartridge case.
The cartridges were packaged in paper boxes with cardboard sleeves, reinforced with fabric strips at the corners. Inside, two longitudinal partitions divided the box into three compartments, each holding a clip of six cartridges. The boxes were wrapped in orange paper and marked with the year, place of manufacture, and the designation "M. 91". The front face bore the inspector's initials, and the lid was marked with an "O" to indicate a brass clip.
Ordinary Bullet cartridge Mod. 91-95
The M. 91 bullet cartridge was modified in 1895 to address gas leaks at its base and improve primer retention. The brass case was modified to feature a circular crown recess on the lower face, concentrically stamped with relief markings around the capsule holder. The brass capsule, with a slightly concave inner base, contained the same fulminating mixture as the original M. 91 cartridge. The bullet and propellant charge remained unchanged. The total weight of the modified cartridge was 22.339 grams.
The M. 91-95 bullet cartridge underwent several modifications over the years, despite retaining its name. The initial change involved replacing the propellant with solenite, a more stable and slower-burning explosive than ballistite. To differentiate solenite-loaded cartridges, a cross was stamped on the base until the start of World War I. The Bologna Pyrotechnic Laboratory began using solenite in 1906, followed by the Capua Pyrotechnic Laboratory in 1907.
Another modification introduced a triple trapezoidal punching system, which embedded the brass case into a groove on the bullet, preventing tension and tampering. However, some later batches produced by the Italian Metallurgical Society in 1932 relied on case neck crimping instead.
At the beginning of World War II, triple punching was entirely discontinued in favor of crimping. Additionally, from 1940 onward, the maillechort bullet jacket was replaced with a steel jacket plated with maillechort or tombac, and lacquered steel cartridges were introduced in 1942 (but soon retired, to be reintroduced only in postwar productions). The total weight of the modified cartridge increased to 22.644 grams.
Following the adoption of the Model 38 weapons, the cartridge's name changed to "M. 91-95 bullet cartridge for M. 91 and M. 91-38 weapons and for machine guns." The packaging remained similar to the original M. 91 cartridges, with orange paper wrapping and markings indicating the year, place of manufacture, and the use of solenite.However, different packaging variations emerged for solenite-loaded cartridges, distinguishing between those suitable for M. 91 weapons only and those compatible with both M. 91 and M. 91-38 weapons and machine guns.
Cartuccia per Prova Forzata
​Prooftest Cartridge
Variant of the ordinary Cartridge, created to perform the Prooftest of the action.
The ball was elongated by 0.5mm, forcing the base of the bullet to be inserted farther into the case and thus contributing to raising the initial pressures. In addition to this, instead of 2.28g of Solenite it was loaded with 2.2g of Ballistite, causing higher pressures than the ordinary cartridges in Solenite.
The weapons that passed the test by being fired with one of these cartridges followed by two ordinary cartridges, received the Savoy Shield Proofmark.
Cartuccia per Tiri di Esattezza
Cartridge for "Exact" Shooting
What today we would call a "Match" cartridge, produced with greater attention to tolerances in order to faithfully reflect the Military specifications, both in terms of size and weight. It was used to calibrate or verify the sights of weapons.
Burst/Grapeshot Cartridge
Grapeshot cartridges have, instead of a single bullet, a projectile composed of several pieces (usually 11), which separate like grapeshot when exiting the core; the various segments that make up the bullet are arranged in a pile, surmounted by a tip of ordinary bullet, and are held together by a metal case.
When fired, the case breaks apart once it exits the barrel and leaves free the cylindrical lead segments that it contains.
The neck of the case is usually elongated, to give solid support to the case.
Due to their small mass, bullets quickly lose speed, so the effect of grapeshot cartridges only extends to very short distances.
These cartridges are therefore not usable in war, they are only used in
peace for guards and in public safety services; but even if they could be organized in such a way as to have effects at a distance, they could not be used, since civilized states have mutually committed themselves not to use in war projectiles weighing less than 400 grams that are susceptible to breaking into fragments.
​Blank Cartridge
Blank cartridges are used for tactical exercises and to properly accustom soldiers to the practical execution of fire.
Mod. 1910 was made with an elongated and empty wooden bullet.
Earlier model had a paper bullet
Blank Cartridge For Machineguns, Mod. Magistri
Designed to cycle automatic weapons in 6.5x52, it consisted of an ordinary cartridge whose ball was made of a thin brass casing rolled around a lead and graphite-filing core.
When fired, the ball was pushed through the barrel, allowing the machine gun to cycle, but upon exiting the barrel the ball disintegrated completely, allowing blank fire with minimal risk and no need for wall protections. It was however recommended to place a modest backstop and to avoid positioning people within 200 meters in front of the machine guns in action, as the brass fragments could still cause injuries, even serious ones.
Reduced Cartridge (For Target Shooting)
Reduced cartridges generally take this name because while the cases and casings are identical to the ordinary ones, the charge and the bullet are different and of considerably reduced weight so that the cartridge is economical and gives rise to lower pressures and less wear on the weapon: they can therefore be conveniently used in ordinary shooting ranges, also favoring their use by target shooting societies.
Cartridge for Reduced Ranges
These cartridges copy in concept what is done with larger artillery pieces to perform very frequently aiming and shooting exercises, greatly limiting the depth of the shooting field required for the training and above all the expense of the exercises. The reduced rifle shooting can be done in the corridors and courtyards of the barracks without limiting the exercise to the soldiers, so as to make them passionate about shooting and handling the weapon.
​The mod.13 (pictured in color, above) essentially consisted of a steel tube inserted and screwed into a brass case. A cap containing the charge and primer was inserted at the base of the tube, while a lead pellet was inserted at the end of the tube.
In the Mod.1939 (pictured on the right, in black and white) instead, there was an elongated neck obtained by crimping a lead tube in position.
Frangible Cartridge
Frangible bullet cartridges have the bullet that destroy itself upon impact on the target or on the Ground; therefore this avoid ricochets and the consequent possible misfortunes if, in closed shooting ranges, the ricochets can leave the fence of the shooting range.
​For reasons similar to those of the reduced cartridge, the charge and weight of the bullet are significantly decreased compared to a standard milspec cartridge.
Cartridge with Frangible Bullet (Mod. Magistri)
Born from the same needs of the previous Frangible Bullet Cartridge, the Magistri Model was simply an evolution of its manufacturing.
It included lead and graphite filings to facilitate shattering without the risk of rebounds, along with compacted sand to save aluminum in the back of the bullet, since this was a cartridge intended mainly for sport shooting and not military use.
Training Cartridge Mod. 91-910
Inert Cartridge for training/handling purposes
SPECIAL ROUNDS
Tracer-Incendiary Round Cartridge - L.1
The first examples of tracer ball were probably purchased by neutral Sweden shortly before (or in the first months of) Italy's entry into the war, in 1915. National production began later, but there is no certain information about it, including its practical distribution.
Armor Piercing Round Cartridge - P.
Cartridge developed during the First World War, approximately around 1916, to be able to pierce Austrian trench shields and other protections that were difficult to pierce with lead-core balls. Let's recall that the Ordinary m91 ball was capable of penetrating wooden boards easily and effectively, but (like all other ordinary balls of the armies of the time) had limitations against armored targets.
The armor-piercing cartridge was often called "Perego", probably from its developer.
Delayed Exploding Round Cartridge - D.T.
D.T. stands for Direzione di Tiro, Aiming Direction. This was a munition developed in 1916 to indicate the target to hit, probably for artillery.
Upon impact it released a cloud of gray-blue smoke due to the detonation of the mixture of potassium chlorate and antimony sulfide in its rear part.
​There is no practical information regarding its distribution.
Armor-Piercing Exploding Round Cartridge - E.P.
Developed in 1916, it was designed to penetrate the object thanks to a hardened steel tip and detonate once it hit/passed the target, thanks to an internal anvil and primer.
​There is no practical information regarding its distribution.
Piercing Incendiary Round Cartridge - S.P.I.
Developed between 1916 and 1917, it is a variant that combines the armour-piercing capabilities of a lead "Spitzer" warhead and a tracer/incendiary ball.​
Armor-Piercing Incendiary Round - P.I.
Developed between 1916 and 1917, it is a variant that combines the armour-piercing capabilities of a hardened steel "Spitzer" warhead and a tracer/incendiary ball.