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Lahti L-36

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Semi-automatic rifle
Lahti L-36
TypeSemi-automatic rifle
Place of origin Finland
Service history
Used byFinland
WarsWorld War II
Winter War
Production history
DesignerAimo Lahti
Designed1934
Produced1936-1940
No. builtUnknown
Specifications
Mass5 kg
Length1130 mm
Barrel length540 mm
Cartridge7.62×54mmR
Caliber7.62mm
ActionGas-operated
Feed system5 round stripper clips

The Lahti L-36 also simply known as the L-36 was a Finnish gas operated semi-automatic rifle that was designed shortly before the outbreak of World War II.

History

In October 1934, the main designer of small arms for Finnish military, Aimo Lahti was tasked to design a semi-automatic rifle for the Finnish military. In 1936, he presented his first prototype designated as the L-36.

Design

The L-36 was chambered in 7.62×54mmR and could hold 5 rounds in Mannlicher-like designed, non-detachable box magazine which was similar to the magazine design of the Mannlicher M1895. The L-36 had an awkward loading mechanism which required the loader to turn the rifle upside-down, open up the non-detachable box magazine, load a 5-round stripper clip, close magazine cover and arm the rifle by pulling back the lever on top of the rifle. Finnish soldiers found this process hard to do while under fire. Finnish soldiers preferred the Soviet AVS-36 which was lighter at 4.3 kg, had a 15-round detachable box magazine, select fire capability and was more widely available.

References

  1. Palokangas, Markku (June 17, 1991). Military small arms in Finland 1918-1988. Suomen asehistoriallinen seura. ISBN 978-951-25-0517-3 – via Google Books.
  2. "Aimo Lahti - asesuunnittelun suuri suomalainen". Goodreads.
  3. "Rare Weapons of Finland 1920 to 1945". August 28, 2013 – via YouTube.
  4. "Mannlicher M95 Austro-Hungary Infantry Rifle and Carbine". www.hungariae.com.
  5. "FINNISH ARMY 1918-1945: WEAPONS FINNISH ARMY ALMOST HAD IN WORLD WAR 2, PART 1". www.jaegerplatoon.net.
  6. "FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945: RIFLES PART 4". www.jaegerplatoon.net.
Finnish infantry weapons of World War II
Side-arms
Rifles and submachine guns
Machine-guns and other larger weapons
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