M1721 battle rifle (7.62×67mmB)
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Type: | Battle rifle |
Place of origin: | |
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In service: | 1721 AN – |
Used by: | |
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Designed: | 1717 AN – 1720 AN |
Manufacturer: | |
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Length: | 1,000 mm |
Barrel Length: | 810 mm |
Weight: | 5.1 kg |
Action: | Gas-operated piston, tilting breechblock |
Cartridge: | 7.62×67mmB |
Magazine: | 10 or 20-round detachable box magazines |
Rate of Fire: | 675 rounds per minute |
Muzzle Velocity | 880 m/s |
Effective Firing Range | 500 m |
Maximum Firing Range | 800 m |
Cost: |
The M1721 battle rifle (7.62×67mmB), an infantry weapon developed within the Community of Goldfield for the armed forces of the Raspur Pact.
Development history
The M1721 battle rifle (7.62×67mmB), also known as the Goldfield Battle Rifle Program, originated from research and development initiative launched by the Community of Goldfield in 1717 AN; for this reason the rifle has also been known as the M1717 at various stages in its development. The program aimed to create a new battle rifle that meets the standards set by the Raspur Pact, with the intention of introducing it to service by 1720 AN, a target that it missed by a year owing to the impact of the Wars of the Dispossessed. The new rifle was envisioned as a replacement for the M1686 assault rifle (7.62×67mmB) then in use by the Benacian Union Defence Force and the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
The project is a collaboration between Mishalan Arsenal, Javelin Industries, and Neridia Defense Industries, with financial support from the Honourable Company representing the Constancian contribution to the project. The design of the new rifle is based on the Benacian Union Defence Force's preference for maintaining the 7.62×67mmB cartridge as the standard for its rifle and general-purpose machine-gun options in service for the next fifty years.
The Goldfield Battle Rifle Program represents a significant investment in the future capabilities of the Raspur Pact and has the potential to significantly enhance their combat effectiveness on the battlefield. The success of the program could also have broader implications for the international arms market, as other nations may look to adopt the Goldfield Battle Rifle or its technology for their own military forces.
Characteristics
Operators
- Benacian Union: 1,080,000 ordered in 1717 AN for Benacian Union Defence Force. Delivery 1722 AN–1732 AN.
- Natopia: 756,000 ordered in 1720 AN for Natopian Defense Force. Delivery 1722 AN–1732 AN.
- Nouvelle Alexandrie: 1,680,000 ordered in 1717 AN for Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie. Delivery 1722 AN–1732 AN.
- Constancia: 500,000 ordered in 1721 AN for active-duty Imperial Constancian Armed Forces. Delivery 1723 AN–1732 AN.
- Constancia: 900,000 ordered in 1722 AN for Home Guard Imperial Constancian Armed Forces formations. Delivery 1724 AN–1733 AN.
- Constancia: 900,000 ordered in 1724 AN for Basileusan Imperial Private Guard formations. Delivery 1725 AN–1734 AN.
- Constancia: 6,500,000 ordered in 1730 AN for Imperial Constancian Armed Forces reserve formations. Delivery 1732 AN–1746 AN.