Lahti L-39
The Lahti L-39 is a Finnish 20 mm anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It had excellent accuracy, penetration and range, but its size made transportation difficult. It was nicknamed "Norsupyssy" ("Elephant Gun"), and as tanks developed armor too thick for the Lahti to penetrate, its uses switched to long range sniping, tank harassment and with the L-39/44 fully automatic variant, employment as an improvised anti-aircraft weapon.
| Lahti L-39 | |
|---|---|
A Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle. | |
| Type | Semi-automatic anti-tank rifle anti-materiel rifle |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1939–1960 (–1988) |
| Used by | Finland |
| Wars | Winter War Continuation War Lapland War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1939 |
| Manufacturer | Valtion Kivääritehdas (VKT) |
| Produced | 1939–1944 |
| No. built | ~1,906 |
| Variants | L-39/44 anti-aircraft |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 49.5 kg (109 lb) |
| Length | 2,200 mm (87 in) |
| Barrel length | 51.2 in (1,300 mm) |
| Cartridge | 20×138mmB |
| Caliber | 20 mm (0.79 in) |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | Max. 30/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) |
| Feed system | 10 round box magazine |
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