A second-generation descendant of the Villar-Perosa machine gun of World War I fame, the Model 38A made heavy use of Italy's native arms industry, being a hand-fitted and intricate weapon. The level of hand work required to make the 38A resulted in scarcity, and it was reserved for units with a real need for the compact firepower, such as vehicle crews, as well as elite formations like the paratroopers and "Stormtrooper" units made of politically motivated members of the fascist Blackshirts. Variants of the 38 would become common in the late days of the war, as well as serving as Italy's go-to SMG into the 1950s. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with a vented muzzle brake attached to the ventilated heat shield. A safety switch is installed on the left side of the receiver, a non-reciprocating cocking knob on the right, and the address on top. A sliding dust cover is integrated into the magazine housing, and two triggers are present in the trigger guard; the front with a disconnector for semi-automatic fire and the latter for full-auto fire, being smooth and serrated respectively to allow the shooter to identify them by touch. The smooth single piece stock is numbered to match the receiver and fitted with two sets of forearm grasping grooves, a brown leather sling, and a steel buttplate. Magazine absent.

Very good, with 30% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, mild spotting and scattered handling marks. The stock is fair, cracked at the wrist and buttplate, with a number of chips and scuffs overall. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.