Chauchat-Ribeyrolles 1918 submachine gun

The Chauchat-Ribeyrolles 1918 submachine gun is a French prototype automatic weapon.

Chauchat-Ribeyrolles 1918 submachine gun
The Chauchat-Ribeyrolles 1918 submachine gun using a Mannlicher–Berthier clip
Type	Submachine gun Personal defense weapon
Place of origin	France
Service history
Used by	France
Wars	World War I
Production history
Designer	Ribeyrolles, Sutter and Chauchat (RSC)
Designed	1918
Manufacturer	Ribeyrolles, Sutter and Chauchat (RSC)
Specifications
Mass	4 kilograms (8.8 lb)
Length	57.5 centimetres (22.6 in)
Barrel length	34.0 centimetres (13.4 in)
Cartridge	8mm Lebel (8×50mm R)
Caliber	8mm
Barrels	1
Feed system	8-round Mannlicher–Berthier clip (early models) 16-round box magazine (later models)

In 1917, the French Army adopted the Mle. 1917 semi-automatic rifle made by Ribeyrolles, Sutter and Chauchat (RSC), who already developed the "Chauchat" Mle. 1915 LMG.

In 1918, they presented a "pistolet-mitrailleur" (submachine gun), meant to be used for close-range protection for the French tank crews. The weapon is based on the RSC Mle. 1917 semi-automatic rifle mechanism. The first trials used a Mannlicher–Berthier clip holding eight cartridges. The trials continued until 1919 with a weapon using the same magazine as the Chauchat. The results were satisfactory but the weapon was too powerful for the intended self-protection use. A mix of standard and tracer bullets was planned to be used to assist in aiming.