The Lahti L-39
Basic Weapon Statistics:
Overall Length 2.24m
Barrel length: 770mm
Weight (no mag) 49.5Kg
Magazine (10 shot) weight 3.4KG
Ammunition: 20mm x 138belted. Brass or steel case, AP
or HE depending on role.
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To
be updated soon, scan from original manual will
be uploaded soon.
Muzzle velocity: 2625 f/sec
Penetration (mm) Degrees (impact angle) Distance
(m)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30
90 100
20
60 300
16
60 500
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The Lahti Model L 39 20mm anti-tank rifle is a typically large, heavy
weapon with a pistol grip, harmonica muzzle break and an over-the-barrel
magazine reminiscent of the MK1* Boys anti-tank rifle, so heavy that it
was generally towed into position then dragged around only short
distances on its skis. Due to the
semi automatic action it was fitted with a perforated
barrel jacket similar to the Browning M1919A4. The gun had spiked feet
or more commonly plywood skis. A fine example of this rifle and some internal parts
can be seen at the Bologne-sur-mer Nazi costal bunker in Northern
France. The bolt locking mechanism is the same as the Lahti pistol
although it is a gas operated piston weapon not blow back, empty cases
are ejected below the receiver as per the Boys.
10 round magazines were supplied 2 to
a wooden transit case and had a covered viewing slit on the right side
(away from the operator but visible to the loader) to indicate the
number of rounds left in the magazine. 15 round magazines were a later
development for AA use.
As per all other anti-tank rifles of this type the Lahti rifles were
totally ineffective against any tank, although the 20mm round was, and
still is, very effective against small trucks etc, however the
sheer weight and size makes the rifle totally impractical for the modern
battlefield and as such the Finnish MOD sold* over
1000 Lahti rifles along with 200,000 rounds of 20 mm ammunition to
dealers in the United States in the early 1960s, just a few years before
the destructive weapon ban was introduced. These were sold for as little
as $99, complete with wooden transit case, tool and repair kit, muzzle
cover, 8 magazines in 4 boxes, 100 rounds of 20mm cost $84.99! It has been reported that the
remaining Lahti rifles were adapted to AA roles (and AA sights have been
seen for sale) but even these were scrapped in 1988. The Lahti is now
such a rare beast that the occasional example can be found for sale in
the USA for roughly $10,000.
Note: Some data obtained from the
original Finnish 1941 instruction manual and the publication* "Know your
Anti-tank rifles", by E.J. Hoffschmidt 1977 Blacksmith inc.
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