dalbert Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I have to admit that I have a thing for Swedish firearms. Ever since my Dad started buying Swedish Mausers in 1986 as a result of the positive effects of the McClure-Volkmer Act (FOPA), and gave me one for my 21st birthday, I've appreciated their quality, and they've continued to catch my attention at gun shows. Anyway, a few years ago on Sturm, someone posted a Swedish Lahti M40 Pistol with holster for sale, and I jumped on it. The Swedish Lahti M40 is based on the Finnish Lahti L-35 pistol. It's a heavy 9mm pistol that is often mistaken for a Luger at a glance, but it has more angular features, and a different bolt mechanism. I have one of about 10,000 Danish Police models that Sweden sold to Denmark after WWII. When I first shot my M40, I was impressed by its accuracy, and how fun it is to shoot. I have many 9mm pistols, and I think for the fun factor, this is my favorite one to shoot. From a collector perspective, there are some accessories that can be had for the M40 that add to its fun factor. The Swedish manuals that cover the other Swedish M40 (Colt Thompson Submachine Gun) also cover the Lahti M40 Pistol. I'd like to find an individual Swedish manual for the Lahti M40...I'm pretty sure they exist, but don't recall ever seeing one. Anyway, there are a couple of different holsters, and a cleaning rod, lanyard, and loading tool that are specific to the M40 Pistol. Posted below is a picture of 2 holsters and the accessories that I have for my M40. I forgot to include a manual in the picture. Going from memory, I believe the brownish holster is an Air Force model and the black one is an Army model. I may be mistaken...maybe someone here can clarify, or I can find the information in one of my books. Your thoughts? http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M40_Group_Web.JPG http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M40-1_Web.JPG http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M40-2_Web.JPG http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M40-3_Web.JPG Thanks! David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hammer Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 David, those are interesting pistols and I still regret not buying one about a dozen or so years ago when they were still being imported and available. The asking prices on them have gone up significantly since then. I don't recall offhand about the finish on these guns but I thought they were blued, your pictures almost show a parkerized finish, or is that just the lighting? Mike Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 Mike Hammer, Mine is parkerized. I've seen several with the same finish. Not sure if it might be a rework, or if it's the original finish. The Finnish Lahti L-35's were blued, and I know that some Swedish M40's were, as well. I think it's worthy to note that the WWII era M40's had frames and slides that were made of inferior steel. The supply of good steel was very limited during the war, and so the WWII era barrels were the only part made from it. This fact, combined with the use of high powered M39 ammunition led to many WWII era Swedish M40's having cracked receivers. My understanding is that the Danish Police series M40's were made immediately after the war, and do not share the issue. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 A nice looking rig, David! All Swedish M-40 pistols were originally hot dip blued, using the same process as the WWII German MP-40 submachine gun. The finish looked great for awhile, but was not durable in service. I own an older brother to your M-40, another Danish police surplus gun with matching serial numbers and fortunately light import markings. It also has a black holster, three magazines, cleaning rod, and loading tool. Everything is triple crown marked. It's the most accurate service pistol that I've ever fired, though I'm not partial to the long, muddy trigger pull. I'll see about posting some pictures. I was fortunate to find a L-35 pistol as well. It's a Valmet marked very early fourth variation piece that has the loaded cartridge indicator. It's been impossible to find the original holster for it, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 TSMGguy, Thanks! Any chance you could post some photos of your L-35 and M40? I just ordered an oiler for my M40, since it's an accessory that I don't have. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) The two M40 holsters pictured below are in my collection. One holster is very unsual in that It may be an unissued Danish police holster, correct for any "D" prefix M40S pistol. You'll see the same small crown on the receiver of these pistols as you see on the tab of this holster, which is pictured in the last four photos below. I've never seen the correct Danish holster before, only well used triple crown marked Swedish holsters. Can anyone here shed any further light on it? The first three photos are of what I believe to be an early Swedish M40 holster. Note the large triple crown marked closing tab, which is so similar to the Danish holster, and so different to later Swedish holsters that had a large strap that went across the flap, such as are pictured in David's post above. Construction is very similar to the Danish holster, except for the smooth leather and provisions for cleaning rod and loading tool, which the Danish holster does not have. Could both holsters have been made in Sweden? Don't yet know. Edited September 20, 2012 by TSMGguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 A little historical information on Swedish / Danish M-40 service pistols, shamelessly lifted off of the internet: "Historical Background: The Danish General Lund who was Commanding Quartermaster officer for the Danish Brigade in 1944 has confirmed that all together some 13,000 M-40 pistols came to Denmark. 10,000 pistols M-40 were ordered for the police force. All are marked “D” (Denmark) in front of the serial number. They range from D 5001 – D 16000 all with inspection mark Danish Crown over “HV” which means “Haerens Vapenarsenal” (Army Armory). Responsible inspection officer at the factory was Danish Captain-Lieutenant J. Gundelach. Pistol M-40 was designated Pistol M-40S in Denmark. All Military M-40 pistols were melted down in Sweden. On the 23rd of January 1991 there was an accident with a blown up M-40 pistol in the Swedish Army, which resulted in physical injury to a soldier. Since that time these pistols have been banned in Sweden, and now, according to a General Order, all of them have been destroyed. These Swedish pistols were never sold as surplus." I've never read where the Swedes used other than first rate steel in M-40 pistol receivers. There would have been no need; they produced excellent steel, and indeed exported much of it to Nazi Germany. Recorded receiver failures pertain to M-40s in Swedish service. The failures were due to hard use over a period of almost 50 years without proper inspection. There are no recorded problems with the Danish contract guns, which tended to see light use as police weapons, and were not fired with "hot" military sub machinegun loads. Failures in Danish contract guns appear to be internet myths. So, the "HV" inspection mark doesn't mean "Husqvarna". Danish contract magazines are marked with the same small crown on the lower rear of the spine. These pistols were not made or assembled in Denmark, but in Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 I just bought the M40 holster linked below from a seller in Poland. (I've bought from him before; he's great.) Anyway, this holster is very unsual in that I believe it to be an unissued Danish police holster, correct for any "D" prefix M40 pistol. You'll see the same small crown on the receiver of these pistols.I've never seen the correct Danish holster before, only well used triple crown marked Swedish holsters, of which this seller has several in really excellent condition. Included are cleaning rod, loading tool and oiler. Nice stuff! I believe they're a bit of a bargain at $60.http://www.gunbroker...?Item=306423978 I think you really scored on that holster! The seller has some very nice items for sale. A little historical information on Swedish / Danish M-40 service pistols, shamelessly lifted off of the internet:"All Military M-40 pistols were melted down in Sweden. On the 23rd of January 1991 there was an accident with a blown up M-40 pistol in the Swedish Army, which resulted in physical injury to a soldier. Since that time these pistols have been banned in Sweden, and now, according to a General Order, all of them have been destroyed. These Swedish pistols were never sold as surplus."I've never read where the Swedes used other than first rate steel in M-40 pistol receivers. There would have been no need; they produced excellent steel, and indeed exported much of it to Nazi Germany. Recorded receiver failures pertain to M-40s in Swedish service. The failures were due to hard use over a period of almost 50 years without proper inspection. There are no recorded problems with the Danish contract guns, which tended to see light use as police weapons, and were not fired with "hot" military sub machinegun loads. Failures in Danish contract guns appear to be internet myths. I've seen a few references to the steel used by the Swedes during WWII. I read about it when I bought the pistol a few years ago, and there's a recent conversation about in the S&W Forum at the following link: (Note the comments by “Qball,” who indicates he used the M40 and L35 in the Swedish Army) http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/237455-lahti-pistols-brief-history.html That being said, it doesn’t necessarily make it true. It could be an internet rumor. It does make sense with the actions of the Swedes in regards to M40 destruction. I do realize that M39 9mm Submachine Gun ammunition was the main culprit, and if it had not been used, an issue may not have ever occurred. I have two theories about the M39 ammunition, and the Danish Police M40’s…Either they were made with the same steel, and never had M39 ammunition used in them (makes sense), or they were manufactured after good steel became available again. Your thoughts? David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Just a couple more notes... Anthony Vanderlinden's book, "Holsters and Shoulder Stocks of the World" shows a green canvas holster that was used by the Danish State Police for the M40. It also shows a similar holster made for Israel, which it indicates took delivery of 200 Lahti M40's. I did not know that... The book "Hayes Handgun Omnibus" indicates that production of M40's ranged from 1942 to 1946. I have read online that the Danish contract pistols were manufactured after the war, and while I'm not certain that's true, if they were manufactured until 1946, it is plausible. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 This link has more information presented about the steel content of the Swedish M40's: http://candrsenal.com/pistol-swedish-lahti-m40/ David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) Hi, David, You know, I wasn't absolutely certain about the steel used in Swedish M40 receivers. It certainly has been widely reported that the steel used was substandard, but I'd seen no authoritative metallurgical studies to back the contention. It is telling, though, that Sweden destroyed their remaining M-40s, appearently because of this problem. So, I remain leary of the few Swedish M-40 service pisols in the US, but the Danish contract pieces seem to have no reported problems. I went so far as to dye check the receiver on my M-40S, and there are no cracks. I would hardly expect any, though, as the pistol has seen little use. It would certainly make sense that the Danish M-40S pistols were made post war, as Denmark was under German occupation right up until May, 1945. I know of no small arms ordered from Sweden by Nazi Germany. Best, Howard Edited September 19, 2012 by TSMGguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 It would certainly make sense that the Danish M-40S pistols were made post war, as Denmark was under German occupation right up until May, 1945. I know of no small arms ordered from Sweden by Nazi Germany. Best, Howard Howard, I guess I didn't realize Denmark was occupied so late into the war. Post-war production of the Danish M40's in Sweden makes sense... David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) Here's another great site concerning the Swedish M-40: http://www.gotavapen...40/pist40_1.htm There's even a section on receiver variations. Edited September 19, 2012 by TSMGguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Here's another great site concerning the Swedish M-40: http://www.gotavapen...40/pist40_1.htm There's even a section on receiver variations. Yes, that's a good website. It's been around a while, and includes some Swedish Thompson coverage. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 My post above concerning holsters has been revised and expanded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted September 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 TSMGguy, I've enjoyed this thread, and for some reason, this is a firearm niche that really interests me. Thank you for the additional holster photos. Does anyone else on the board own a Swedish M40, or Finnish L-35? David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) Here's another holster from the collection, this one for the Finnish L-35. This holster is Finnish Army (SA) marked and would have been made in the 1943-45 time frame. It looks like an overgrown Luger holster, and even has a small pocket inside of the clam shell for a loading tool. Edited October 1, 2012 by TSMGguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alx Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Yes, just acquired a Swedish M-40, Danish contract, with holster, two spare mags, loader tool, cleaning rod, and twin oil-can. looks great, no cracks that I can find, new-looking bore with strong rifling. I have not ( ? yet ) fired it. Photos will be posted soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 Yes, just acquired a Swedish M-40, Danish contract, with holster, two spare mags, loader tool, cleaning rod, and twin oil-can. looks great, no cracks that I can find, new-looking bore with strong rifling. I have not ( ? yet ) fired it. Photos will be posted soon. Alx, Welcome to the board, and we'll look forward to seeing your photos. I really like the M40 Pistol. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Alx, Welcome! You should expect find no damage to the receiver of your Danish contract ("D" serial number prefix) M-40. This problem, I believe, was largely confined to guns in Swedish service that saw lots of use with sub machinegun ammunition. Looking forward to your range report. My M40 is about the most accurate service pistol I've ever fired, though the trigger leaves much to be desired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Here's proof, I believe, that Sweden produced holsters for the Danish M-40 police contract M-40s. Note both the Swedish triple crown and Danish crown marks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alx Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I haven't forgotten, or died .... just procrastinatingand 'haven't fired it yet either. Although, it does look pretty much like any other Danish-contract Lahti. Just for an un-historical hoot, it would be interesting to see a nicely rust-blued Lahti, with strawed trigger, safety, take-down lever, extractor, and ejector, like the best P08 livery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alx Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) Of course for historical purposes, I will keep the original black Husqvarna grips that came on it, but .... does anyone have a set of brown Husqvarna grips to sell ? or partially trade for an extra holster I have ? I would like to see the Lahti in brown grips, and if anyone ever made wood grips, that even better. Edited February 25, 2013 by Alx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Alx, Brown Husqvarna M-40 pistol grips are hard as "H" to find; I've been looking for years. It made me feel a little better when I found that the Danish contract pistols were all furnished with black grips only. Spare NOS WWII brown bakelite Finnish L-35 grips are very common, for some reason. So, the choice is very few guns, but lots of spare grips, or guns galore but spare grips are really rare. Go figure. You'll enjoy firing your Swedish M-40. Mine is the most accurate service type pistol I've ever owned, and beats out the L-35 in this department, though the L-35 seems far better made and finished. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Here are a few pics of the all matching Valmet marked Lahti L-35 that goes with the Finnish service holster pictured above. This an an early 4th model gun that retains the loaded cartridge indicator. The magazines, rod, loader, and lanyard are original. The gun has no import markings. It seems that the holsters are probably harder to find than the pistols. The quality of these guns is very high. Everything fits and functions to perfection. A durable rust blued finish was used. Unlike the Swedish M-40 service pistol, the bolt spring is loose after field stripping. The trigger guard is carefully shaped and milled, and has a rounder profile than the M-40. The trigger release on the M-40 is somewhat gritty and indistinct, where the M-35 has a light, crisp trigger. Magazines appear to be made of of stainless rather than blued steel, along with the cleaning rod. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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