Vitali FM 1913
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| Fucile Mitragliatore 1913 Automatic Rifle 1913 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Automatic rifle Light machine gun |
| Place of origin |  Cacertian Empire |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1913 - 1924 |
| Used by | Cacertian Empire |
| Wars | Divide War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1906 |
| Manufacturer | Vitali Heavy Industries |
| Produced | 1913 - 1920 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 9.07 kg |
| Length | 1,143 mm |
| Barrel length | 470 mm |
| Cartridge | 8×50mmR Durante |
| Action | Long recoil, gas assisted |
| Rate of fire | 240 RPM (Rounds per Minute) |
| Muzzle velocity | 630 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 200 m |
| Maximum firing range | 2,000 m |
| Feed system | 15-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Vitali FM 1913 (Italian: Fucile Mitragliatore 1913; “Automatic Rifle 1913”) was the first machine rifle of the Cacertian Royal Army and saw use during the Divide War. Beginning in 1914, the FM 1913 was placed into regular service with the Cacertian infantry where it earned the nickname “Bouncing Betty” as a result of its long and heavy recoil. Combining a pistol grip, in-line stock, and a detachable magazine, the FM 1913 was one of the first automatic rifle-caliber weapons designed specifically to be carried and fired by a single operator.
The muddy conditions in Syara during the Divide War revealed several weaknesses in the design of the FM. The single-stack box magazines were made of thin metal and were prone to damage, resulting in stoppages and feeding issues. Overheating was a major problem with the FM, with the barrel sleeve jamming and remaining in the retracted position after being used for sustained fire.