In the thread in the Lounge "80 Years Ago-The Winter War Began" that was started by S&WshooterFIN, I said I would fire a few rounds from my L-35 Lahti pistol from Finland in honor of Finland joining NATO. Well, today I did it. Here is my Lahti pistol made by VKT in Finland and the target I fired. This gun is built like a tank and made to function in the Finnish winters. That group was a handful of mixed ball rounds and I think the gun shoots better than I can hold it. Sweden made many more Lahti pistols but I wanted the original. It took me a long time to find it and when it turned up I jumped on it.

Attached Images

	DSCN0581.jpg (186.4 KB, 138 views)
	DSCN0589.jpg (92.1 KB, 133 views)
	DSCN0590.jpg (190.2 KB, 105 views)

Nice. I always wanted one but I think I’m a bit too late as prices are even higher now for excellent examples.

There were a bunch of the Swedish M/40’s flooding into the US in the mid ‘90’s. The $395.00 I paid was the most ever of any surplus pistol I got. (Had a FFL.)

It’s not a “real” Lahti but one of the 13,500 M/40 Danish Contract examples. It’s complete and as new, was initially totally covered and full of waxed up heavy grease, and obviously import marked.

It’s a fun shooter, (once I figured out how to get it back together,) and still kinda historical.

Jim

Attached Images

C490D6C0-FD00-4516-9352-FE7E6D198711.jpg (47.3 KB, 59 views)

Thanks ally brother!!!
My safe is missing L-35. I need to buy a VKT L-35 sometime!!!

Those Lahtis are awesome old pistols- I wish I’d picked one up back when they were reasonably affordable. Would fit nicely with my Finn Mosins and Valmets.

__________________
Some Might Say.

What calibe are these?

__________________
otis

9 m/m .

The Iron Stove.

Rock Island Auction Co. sold one of these just yesterday -

Finnish VKT L-35 Lahti Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster | Rock Island Auction

__________________
SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

I have a second series (1,000 produced in 1941-2) L35 rig which includes the pistol, two magazines, cleaning rod, and holster. Its sister is an all matching M/08 (Luger) in 9mm for which I have the stock (which is numbered to the pistol) holster loading too, cleaning rod and holster.

Lahti.jpg

By far two of my favorite pistols.

If you have not read the history of Finland's Winter War, Continuation War and Lapland War I would highly recommend it. Finland was the only nation bordering the Soviet Union that maintained its independence post WWII.

The Winter War in particular is a story of pure sisu, a uniquely Finnish trait.

The Lahti pistols are interesting guns, and well made. I have a Swedish M40 Lahti that's built like a tank. This one was produced in 1945, complete with holster, spare magazine and accessories.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Do these very generally cost more or less than Lugers?

It's hard to say. Most Lahti variants will range from about $2,500 to over $18,000. So for just regular pieces I would say the Lahti is more expensive. Then again some Lugers are ultra, ultra rare so their prices are astronomical, upwards of $25,000.

As to the Lahti there was a limited number produced, about 9K, and that they were heavily used in Finland's three wars, so wartime losses reduced the number.

Secondly when you get into the three military and one civilian models/variations the number made varies significantly.

Certainly the Lahti is, overall, rarer than the Luger.

Series 1 - 2,600
Series 2 - 1,000
Series 3 - 2,000
Series 4 (post war) - 2,000

Lahti L-35

Thanks for finding this article.

I imported a couple of L-35s from Finland about 20 years ago when the Euro was weak compared to the Dollar. Unbeknownst to me at the time one turned out to be from the July 1938 Test series.

Attached Images

	Dsc00363a.jpg (42.5 KB, 12 views)
	Dsc00374b.jpg (69.3 KB, 14 views)

Well, that puts it over the outfield fence for me.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

VKT L-35 Police auction prices 2022-2023 in Finland

Firearm auctions - police public auctions of firearms on behalf of gun owners - Police
Actual sale prices

21.02.2023
VKT L-35 9 X 19 400 *
VKT L-35 9 Mm Luger 460 *

30.11.2023
VKT L-35 9 X 19 460 *

12.10.2022
VKT L-35 9 x 19 800 *
VKT L-35 9X19 630 *

05.05.2022
VKT L-35 9 X 19 430 *
VKT L-35 9 X 19 720 *
VKT L-35 9 X 19 720 *



A couple of examples of gun shop prices in Finland

VKT L-35 9MM LUGER, KÄYT. no VO356. 900 *


VKT L-35 9MM LUGER, KÄYT HYLKYOSA-LAHTI 2500 *

Are you allowed to bid at these auctions? I hope you can pick up an L-35 of your own to fill that space in your safe.

Yes, of course
Next auction is 19.4.2023.

Good luck. I hope you bring a nice one home.

The first ones on my list in next two year, because our gun permit system.
- some S&W revolver .32/.38/.357/9mm (probably model 16)
- some S&W revolver .38/.357/.45
- some S&W pistol .22 LR
- some pistol S&W (metal frame) /Glock/GP35/1911 9mm/.45
- Remington 870 or Winchester 1300 pump action shotgun 12 cal

Maybe then VKT L-35, of which are lot of here

It's always cool to have a complete rig with old military pistols.

__________________
No baby we aint

My Finn Twins...
Lahti 1.jpg

Lahti 2.jpg

Lahti 3.jpg

Luger 1.jpg

Luger 2.jpg

LAHTI was in service use until the middle of 1980s.
In the 1980s it was replaced by the FN HPDA 9.00 PIST80
Alongside the LAHTI pistol, there were a mixed number of LUGER and other old pistols in service after the war.
Nowadays the Finnish Defense Forces [ARMY, NAVY and AIR FORCE] use in addition to the FN HP DA Glock 17 [9.00 PIST 2008] and a small number of SIG 226 [9.00 PIST SIG], Glock 19 and Walther P-99 [9.00 PIST 2000]

I am very sorry. I have had permit buy only one 9 mm or .45 pistol, I bought S&W 5906, sorry. Maybe next time, that I ask more permits from police, I take one for L35.

Good luck the next time around.

Interesting that this post came up just after I finished reading about it in Paladins book which is fascinating.

Randy