This video delves into the Finnish m/27PH, also known as the m/37, which holds the distinction of being Finland's first standardized sniper rifle. The video details its development as part of the m/27 rifle family, highlighting the structural issues that delayed its adoption until 1937. It discusses the rifle's original 2.2x Physica Oy prismatic scope, noting its fragility and poor eye relief. The evolution of the rifle is traced, including the replacement of short bolt handles with Soviet-style ones and the addition of wooden cheek rests, driven by experiences in the Winter War. The video concludes by mentioning that damaged m/27PH rifles had their scopes repurposed for newer m/39PH models during the Continuation War, making the m/27PH an extremely rare firearm today.
This video delves into the Finnish LS-26/31 light machine gun, a development of the LS26. It highlights the experimental 75-round drum magazine designed for anti-aircraft use and its subsequent adoption by China, who ordered 30,000 units chambered in 8mm Mauser. The video notes the export limitations imposed by Japan and the limited use of these trial guns by Finnish forces during the Winter War. The description also links to a Kickstarter for 'Forged in Snow' and the creator's Patreon and Floatplane channels.
This YouTube video features Jari Laine, CEO of Varusteleka, participating in the "Chauchat Challenge" on the History of Weapons & War (HOWW) platform. The episode, available exclusively on HOWW, sees Laine, a Finnish reservist, attempt to handle and possibly shoot the Chauchat, a WWI-era French light machine gun. The video hints at the specific Chauchat's Finnish Army ownership and improvements, posing questions about Jari's performance and potential outcomes. Viewers are encouraged to sign up for a free trial of the HOWW app to watch the full episode.
This video from Forgotten Weapons delves into the Finnish reception of the Carcano M38 rifle, which they acquired in large numbers during WW2. Despite being issued to various troops and civilians, the rifles were reportedly disliked due to inconsistent ammunition and fixed rear sights that hindered precision shooting. The Finns, accustomed to the highly accurate Mosin Nagant with adjustable sights, often preferred captured Russian rifles. By the end of the war, many Carcanos were lost or destroyed, and the remainder were eventually traded for Sten guns and entered the collector market.
This "From the Vault" episode showcases the German WWII Panzerschreck (Raketenpanzerbüchse 54), a potent anti-tank weapon. Presented by Brownells Gun Techs Caleb and Keith at Rock Island Auction Co., it's noted as potentially the largest caliber firearm ever featured. The Panzerschreck, a German copy of the American M1 Bazooka captured in North Africa, fires an 88mm rocket capable of penetrating 8 inches of steel armor. Despite its power, its effective range is limited to about 150 meters, requiring operators to get dangerously close. The featured example bears markings indicating service with the Finnish Army, and its unloaded weight is compared to the modern AT4.
This video delves into Finland's M39 PH sniper rifle, tracing its origins back to post-independence Finnish armament challenges and early experimentation with scoped rifles. It details the procurement of Physica Oy optical sights, their problematic integration onto M27 rifles, and their eventual repurposing for the M39 rifle during the Continuation War. The description also briefly touches upon other M39 sniper variants like the SOV and M39-43/44, highlighting that none achieved significant battlefield impact.
This video explores a rare commercial variant of the Finnish Suomi M/31 submachine gun, featuring a vertical front pistol grip and bipod. The presenter details its adoption by the Finnish Army, the manufacturer Tikkakoski (Tikka), and the commercial and military sales efforts. Notably, this specific example ended up in Israel, used by the Haganah during the War of Independence, with its original markings altered. The firearm was later re-imported into Finland. The video highlights the unique features and the interesting history of this particular firearm.
This video showcases the Finnish m/27rv Cavalry Carbine, a specialized variant of the Mosin Nagant rifle. Developed in the early 1930s for the Finnish Cavalry Brigade, it features a shorter 520mm barrel, a side-mounted sling, and a bent bolt handle, differentiating it from the standard m/27. The carbine was produced using a mix of new and existing Mosin-Nagant parts. Despite limited production, the m/27rv saw service in the Winter War and Continuation War. The video details its scarcity and discusses the fate of the remaining examples, with most being sold for export to the United States. The presenter expresses gratitude to a private collector for making the example available for review.
This video explores the L-34 Sampo, a gas-operated light machine gun designed by Aimo Lahti in the early 1930s. Influenced by the Czech ZB-26, it was developed as a potential successor to Finland's problematic LS-26 LMG. Despite being lighter, simpler, and performing well in trials, bureaucratic issues and a shift in military requirements towards belt-fed, intermediate-caliber weapons prevented its adoption. Prototypes were produced in calibers like 7.62x54R and 7.92x57mm Mauser, with hopes for both domestic and international sales. The video highlights the L-34 as a "rejected masterpiece" due to missed opportunities.
This video examines Captain Carl Pelo's 1954 prototype semi-automatic rifle, developed by Sako. The design features a short recoil mechanism with locking flaps, similar to Degtyarev machine guns. Pelo attempted to market his rifle to Finnish, British, and Swedish forces without success, primarily due to procurement issues and Finland's eventual adoption of the 7.62x39mm cartridge, rendering his design obsolete. Despite performing well in Finnish trials, it was rejected. The video showcases a rare surviving example from Sako's factory museum.
This video delves into Finland's first domestic handgun, the Ahlberg pistol. Following Finland's independence, there was a significant demand for small arms, particularly handguns. Hugo Ahlberg, a machinist, saw an opportunity by producing a modified copy of the FN Model 1910 pistol in .32 ACP for the Finnish Army. The video details the contract for 1,000 pistols, the production challenges including quality control issues and delays, and how the contract was ultimately fulfilled, albeit without further orders. It also touches on the subsequent adoption of surplus Ruby and Luger pistols by the Finnish Army and the Ahlberg's eventual sale as surplus into the 1960s.
This video details the DS-39, a Soviet 'universal' machine gun developed to replace the Maxim. Designed by Degtyarev in the late 1920s, it was intended for tripod, vehicle, and anti-aircraft roles, chambered in 7.62x54R and using Maxim belts. Despite adoption in 1939 and limited service in the Winter War, the DS-39 suffered from critical malfunctions, including out-of-battery detonations and a unique failure where the bolt would extract a live cartridge from the belt. Due to insurmountable issues, production ceased after only a year, with just over 10,000 units made. The Red Army reverted to the Maxim, and a new program led to the Goryunov SG-43. The Finnish Army captured some DS-39s and reportedly made improvements.
