This is a very nice example of an original Italian M37 heavy machine gun as manufactured by the Mitragliatrice Breda company in Italy. This version was adopted by the Italian Army in 1937 and was their main heavy machine gun throughout WWII and even up through the 1950s. The M37 was a gas-operated, air-cooled heavy machine gun that utilized a flat 20 shot ammunition feeder/strippers that feed from the left side of the receiver. Eventually after WWII, a considerable number of them were sold to the Portuguese Army who designated it as the Metralhadora Pesada M1938 where it was chambered in the 7,92 mm cartridge. The Breda saw extensive service in Portugal's African colonies during the early stages of the Portuguese Colonial War. The top of the receiver has the large Portuguese Crest over "1938". The top of the barrel is correctly stamped with its matching serial number (1016A) with the left side of the barrel extension has been stamped with the current caliber "7.92 mm" followed by the standard "Crown/BNP/18 TONS Per Square" British firing proofs. The right lower side of the receiver is also stamped with a small "Crown/BNP" proof. There is a very small importer's stamp on the lower side of the receiver. It is a heavy well-made, fully machined MG that comes with an original Italian tripod as well as the following accessories: A large wooden transit chest that includes a complete matching spare barrel assembly (numbered 1016B), anti-aircraft sight and cleaning rod; a large leather gunner pouch includes a bore brush, various wrenches and oilers; two ammunition stripper carrying boxes with 24 (total) strippers inside; a large wooden armorer's field repair kit that is almost complete and does contain two large oilers, several recoil spring mechanisms, a box full of various internal springs and locking mechanism, and tool; and a "296" marked box with an anti-aircraft extension kit.