I posted a Want to Buy ad for a Lahti on WA Armslist and a fellow sent me a note about a local pawn shop who had one in the case. Took the trip up with two pistols I wasn't shooting, did a bit of negotiating and bingo, I now have one.

It appears to be a Danish police model as it's got "Rplt S 5473" on right frame. The inspector was Sten Stenmo as it's got the SS on the rear of the frame. Serial number is 67674. Sarco was the importer.

A bit more history on this particular pistol from Gothia Arms Historical Society in Gothenburg Sweden

"1944 Danish exile authorities had ordered 2000 pistols. These pistols were delivered and marked by inspection officer Cpt Sten Stenmo (SS). These pistol serial numbers range from 67 000 – 69 202 but there are some also in 64 000 – 74 000 range. Another 2 500 pieces are known to be sold to the Danish inspected by Swedish inspectors." (Wow! Hope this is true for this gun...makes it kinda exciting to own. What history!)


The gun is in fair shape with some worn bluing especially on the rear of the frame (holster wear?) and a few high spots, but other than that, not bad. Bore looks good. No cracks I could see.

Trigger is around 5#s, modestly crisp with some takeup.

Magazine had trouble feeding at the range when I test shot it. Bullets wouldn't strip and seemed to get hung up on the lip of the mag. A slight touch of a file may have solved the problem...won't know 'till I go back to the range.

One safety question:
With the magazine in, the "bolt" stays open 'till I rack it and then it strips the bullet from the mag and send it home.

But, if I take the mag out, and rack the bolt it won't remain open. Nothing new or unusual with that.

However, if I draw back the bolt with the mag in, it of course stays open. To close it, all I have to do seems to be to give it a sharp rap and it slams shut. There doesn't seem to be a slide release (bolt release?) on the left side of the pistol. Am I having a problem or is that SOP for his pistol? And I've watched a few videos and don't seen anyone hitting a "slide release" to put the bolt in battery. I'll have to watch them again, however, as I've only viewed them once.

Clearly I'm pretty pleased with the acquisition and really thrilled to be holding history in my hand. When I combine having this gun and some of my Finn Mosins...my word, if they could only talk. But then they do, sort of, at least I can hear them whispering.

Here's some pictures.

ALL COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, CRITICISM, ADVICE, ETC. IS ENTHUSIASTICALLY ENCOURAGED.

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Good I was hoping that you would get a lahti. Never seen one in the flesh and darned few in pics. Frank

Ouch....just reread my post and realized I didn't thank everyone who shared their knowledge, experience and advice on my original question of Luger vs Lahti. Believe me, it's much appreciated. This board has never let me down even when I asked really dum questions. Again, thanks.

Congratulation on your buy of a Swedish made HUSQVARNA m40 pistol

I'm speaking for the deaf but you have a Husqvarna NOT a Lahti

Lahti L35 = Finland
Husqvarna m40 = Sweden

I'm not saying that one is better than the other, just that there is a difference.

As far as i can remeber your pistol works as designed.
Has been years since i handled one (shot both the L35 and the m40)

It is an battle ax, not a target tool.

Good choice. Swedish made husqvarna is the way to go. I can put my m40 next to my collection of Swedish mausers and my husqvarna Ljungman. My husqvarna chainsaws are sleeping in the garage with my '83 husqvarna dirtbike.

Congrats. I just saw a fairly rough looking Husquavarna in a LGS yesterday, asking $1500. I didn't even pick it up to look at it.

Point taken about the proper name.

And when my wife asked what I'd been out doing...I told here I was looking to buy a new "iron stove." Got a strange look, a shake of her head and she went about her business.

I have never seen one of those in the flesh, but hear they are well made and very tough pistols.

Congratulations on you purchase. They are really neat pistols!

Nice one ~ congrats!

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John
S&WCA Life Member

Nice. Solid made guns.

I've seen and handled a few Lahti L35s, but have never seen a Husqvarna M40 before other than pics.

Had a chance to buy a nice L35 years ago, and passed it up. It was a real bargain too at the time. I was spoiled by my Artillery Luger.

The missing blueing does not look like wear. It looks like some chemical or water did it. The "wear" appears to wrap over the top of the frame, and it is doubtful that point would have holster contact.

At numrich e-gun parts they offer m40 lathi magazines(2) with a holster.

That is an exelent price i might ad.

And if you need any other parts, why not go directly to the source.
vapendelar
They ship oversea.

Thanks Qball I have a husqvarna ljungman AG42b sleeping in the safe I never shot it yet in two decades. I have the m41 Swedish ammo too. My 1907 Swedish CG M96 mauser is my spoiled bratt. She's first in the car at every range trip. It's so accurate I love shooting it.
I was lucky to squirrel away two Swedish m94 too.

If you like quality guns you have to shoot a Swede 6.5mm mauser.

Speaking of AG42b's....
Years ago I had one that had a feature I've never seen since. The cleaning rod was "nested". The normal rods are the short type that you have to "Pair-Up" with a buddy to have a full length rod. Mine unscrewed and had another rod in the hollowed out main rod. Just pull them apart, reverse one, screw back together and viola, a full length rod.
Was this standard at one time or was it something "after-market"??

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Looks like standard..

But "The cleaning rods were from the beginning made of a tube with inner steel rod which should be screwed together to make full length so they could reach all the way. The construction was too weak."



The development of the Ljungman semi-automatic rifle Ag m/42

Did they change it because of this weakness? I used to check every AG42b I came across and never found another with the two piece rod.
I presume mine was an early one.....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

How cool is that? Hold on to it.

They changed the two piece to a m38 rod instead.

I'll have to checkout mine. I purchased it and oiled it up and it's been in the safe ever since.

Those are very interesting pistols. I have never owned one but would like to. My friend has an entire rigged one I need to talk him out of.

I just seen two Swedish lathi's for sale one at $1,800 & the other for $2,000? There were cheaper ones but not too far behind. If you find one that's affordable you can't lose.

Those prices seem more like what a Finnish one would bring....

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I have a "D" Danish Lathi made by husqvarna.