TheBM59 is anautomaticbattle rifle developed in Italy in 1959. It is based on theM1 Garand rifle, chambered in7.62×51mm NATO, modified to use a detachable magazine, and capable ofselective fire.[5] Later revisions incorporated other features common to more modern rifles.
The BM59 was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Moroccan armies. The earliest BM59s were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels.
Beginning in 1990, the BM59 was replaced in Italian service by theBeretta AR70/90 assault rifles, although some may be in service in theItalian Navy.
AfterWorld War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in.30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm) and also manufactured it under license. This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.
To meet these requirements, Beretta designed the BM59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine and capable ofselective fire. Additional features include:[6]
A folding grenade sight that doubles as a gas shut-off
A folding winter trigger
The BM59 has a fire selector on the left side, which consists of “S” (“Semiautomatico”) to “A” (“Automatico”).[7] The standard fixed stock has a hollow space to store cleaning/maintenance kit.[7]
The BM59 (top left) on display at theMuseo de Armas de la Nación, Buenos Aires
BM59 ITAL: Implied "standard" variant with a semi-pistol grip.[7] Described as having a tri-compensator, grenade-launching capacity, and bipods. Barrel length 19.3 inches (49 cm); overall length 43 inches (110 cm); mass 9.7 pounds (4.4 kg).[6]
BM59 Mark I: Has a wooden stock with a semi-pistol grip stock[8] with a barrel length 17.4 inches (44 cm), no bipod, no grenade launcher, no cartridge clip guide, no bayonet lug. Model found in brochures older than those that mention ITAL.[6]
BM59 Mark II: Has a wooden stock withpistol grip to achieve a better control during full-auto fire.[8]
BM59 Mark III: Domestically known as BM59 Ital TA[8] (forTruppe Alpine) or BM59Alpini.[6] Variant for mountain troops, with a pistol grip and a metal folding buttstock.[8] Barrel length 19.3 inches (49 cm); overall length 43 inches (110 cm) (stock extended) / 33.7 inches (86 cm) (stock folded); mass 9.7 pounds (4.4 kg).[6] Marketed overseas as the Mk. 3.[7]
The BM59 Para (alsoParacadutisti[6] orITAL-Para) was similar to BM59 Ital TA, but was intended for paratroopers. It was equipped with a shorter barrel and a removable grenade launcher and tri-compensator.[8] Weights nearly 10 pounds (4.5 kg). Overall length is slightly shorter than 29 inches (74 cm) folded. Attaching the tri-compensator and unfolding the stock increases length to 48 inches (120 cm).[6]
BM59 Mark IV: Had a heavier barrel with a plastic pistol-grip stock designed for prone-firing,[6] and was used as a lightsquad automatic weapon.[8] Barrel length 20.8 inches (53 cm), empty mass 12 pounds (5.4 kg), overall length 44.5 inches (113 cm). Some sources consider it a Nigerian variant/type.[7][6]
BM59 "E": conversion of customer supplied rifles, maintained the Garand long barrel and front handguard and had no grenade launching devices. The only national military service to adopt this version was theArgentine Navy with approximately 2100 converted rifles originally supplied with American war ships purchased by Argentina during the 50s and 60s.
Small numbers of both semi-automatic and selective-fire BM59s were imported to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s by Beretta. Most were marked "BM59 308 Win Berben Corp NY, NY".[6]
Beretta also developed a civilian sporting variant called the BM62. It is semi-automatic, has no grenade-related components, no bipod, and a civilian flash hider (no bayonet lug, no grenade launcher, no tri-compensator), no bipod.[6][9]
In 1984, after Beretta ceased production and imports for the BM59 into the US,Springfield Armory, Inc.'s founder Bob Reese found out about the BM 59 design. He learned in a later visit to the Beretta headquarters that the BM59 machinery were still kept in the underground facility, and managed to purchase "most of the machines and tooling, plus tons of parts and receiver forgings" from Beratta. Using these material, Springfield Armory produced the following semi-automatic rifles:[6]
Beretta Garand: nearly identical to the M1 Garand with the exception of a slightly reduced length to accommodate the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge.
BM59 "E": similar to the Baretta BM59 "E" in that it is also an intermediate model, except Springfield Armory does not make it as a conversion. "Retains the Garand's wooden front handguard and steel buttplate, and adds a 20-round box magazine and cartridge clip guide. A different muzzle-brake/flash-hider replaced the Garand's gas cylinder lock. Receiver marings on a photo sample read: P. Beretta, 7.62mm BM59, Gardone V.T., Italia".[6]
BM50: omits the cartridge clip guide and bayonet lug, similar to Beretta BM 59 Mark I and Mark II. Markings read: "P. Beretta, 7.62mm BM50, Gardone V.T., Italia."[6]
BM59 Mark IV: essentially a semi-automatic version of Beretta's BM59 Mark IV. Has a stock similar to the pistol-gripped U.S. M14E2 stock, a carrying handle and a longer barrel.[6]
BM-62: "classic" sporting rifle with a feature set similar to Beretta's BM62.[6]
BM-69: BM-62 with the addition of folding bipod and tri-compensator.[6]
PindadSP-1 (Indonesian:Senapan Panjang model-1,lit.: Long Rifle model-1) is a license-made of BM59, with 7.62x51 mm cartridge, manufactured byPindad Indonesia and entered service for Indonesian military since 1968. Pindad also developed and launched another variants, such asSP-2 variant, which can release rifle grenades mounted on the end of its barrel; andSP-3 variant, which uses a new hand grip and a stabilizing bipod.[10] The rifle was gradually replaced byM16A1 andAK-47 since 1976, then completely replaced byPindad SS1 since 1991.[11][10]
In 2010, Pindad re-designed SP-1 for sporting and hunting purposes, it fires 7.62x51 mm cartridge in semi-automatic mode designated for civilians market.[12] It was introduced duringSHOT Show 2024, in 23 – 26 January 2024 at Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum, Las Vegas Nevada, United States.[13][14][12]
Indonesia:SP (Senapan Panjang) variants built under license byPindad as the SP-1 (BM59 Mk I),[19] SP-2 (BM59 Mk I withrifle grenade system) and SP-3 (BM59 Mk IV).[6][20]
Algeria[15]
Argentina: Used in theFalklands War.[6]
Bahrain[15]
Eritrea[15]
Ethiopia[15]
Morocco:[15] Built under license[16]
Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation inKaduna.[17] Adopted byNigerian Army in 1963.[1]
Biafra: Some ex-Nigerian Army rifles[18]
East Timor: Inherited captured IndonesianSP from theFALINTIL.[3]
Indonesia:SP (Senapan Panjang) variants built under license byPindad as the SP-1 (BM59 Mk I),[19] SP-2 (BM59 Mk I withrifle grenade system) and SP-3 (BM59 Mk IV).[6][20]
Italy[15]
Libya[15]
Somalia[21]
Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor (FALINTIL)[3]
Free Papua Movement[22]
