Swedish artillery

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Sturm78
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Swedish artillery

#1

Post by Sturm78 » 22 Mar 2010, 13:03

Hi all,

I found this image on Ebay. According to photocation it is a swedish artillery piece in 1939. I think perhaps Krupp 7.5cm m/02 or m/02-33. Can anyboy confirm?

On the other hand I'm looking for wartime photographs of these Swedish guns:
75mm Bofors Kanon m/40
105mm Bofors Haubits m/40
105mm Bofors Kanon m/34
150mm Bofors Haubits m/38-m/39
ans specially of 15.2cm Bofors Kanon m/37

Thanks in advance. Regards Sturm78
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Swedish field gun 1939.jpg
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The Edge
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Re: Swedish artillery

#2

Post by The Edge » 23 Mar 2010, 01:39



Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#3

Post by Sturm78 » 23 Mar 2010, 12:18

Hi The Edge. I already knew these links but thak you very much, anyway.
The pictures about artillery pieces are not very good in general in these links.

Regards Sturm78

Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#4

Post by Sturm78 » 03 Jun 2010, 12:53

Hi all,

Two images of 75mm Bofors m/30 swedish AA guns:

Images from Ebay
Sturm78
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75mm Bofors m-30 swedish AA gun during training in 1939-.jpg
75mm Bofors m-30 swedish AA gun during training in 1939-.jpg (65.13 KiB) Viewed 34421 times
75mm Bofors m30 swedish AA gun during training in 1939 1.JPG
75mm Bofors m30 swedish AA gun during training in 1939 1.JPG (75.08 KiB) Viewed 34421 times

Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#5

Post by Sturm78 » 07 Jul 2010, 11:06

Hi all,

I found this curious image on Ebay. I think a 20mm maskinkanon M.40 S in AT tripod (Bofors??)

Regards Sturm78
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Sweden Anti Tank Machine Gun 1942-.JPG
Sweden Anti Tank Machine Gun 1942-.JPG (81.52 KiB) Viewed 34319 times

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Juha Tompuri
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Re: Swedish artillery

#6

Post by Juha Tompuri » 07 Jul 2010, 18:42

Yep, so it seems:
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/Bofors.htm

Regards, Juha

Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#7

Post by Sturm78 » 09 Jul 2010, 11:08

Hi all,

I found this image on Ebay. Any ideas?

Regards Sturm78
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Swedish naval AA gun-.JPG
Swedish naval AA gun-.JPG (126.41 KiB) Viewed 34292 times

John T
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Re: Swedish artillery

#8

Post by John T » 09 Jul 2010, 21:42

Sturm78 wrote:Hi all,

I found this image on Ebay. Any ideas?

Regards Sturm78
7,5 cm Lvpjäs M/15.
75mm AA gun model 1915 (capital M in Model designates Navy) 9 build
initially on Sverige class coastal defence ships (2 aboard and 1 reserve for each ship)

I am not shure if these are M/15 or the improved M/15-23, cant find a photo on the last one.

cheers
/John T.

Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#9

Post by Sturm78 » 11 Jul 2010, 11:06

Thank you very much, John T.

Regards Sturm78

Sturm78
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Re: Swedish artillery

#10

Post by Sturm78 » 01 Nov 2011, 21:56

Hi all,

Does somebody have any wartime image of the 105mm Bofors Haubits m/40?
I've only been able to find this modern image on the net; source Wikipedia :(

Thanks in advance.
Sturm78
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Haubits_m40H.jpg

von Adler
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Re: Swedish artillery

#11

Post by von Adler » 22 Dec 2011, 00:54

EDIT: Here's an album with the images I already had: http://imgur.com/a/YA3Pw

Here's some information on Swedish artillery that I have. I also have pictues of all guns in field conditions, but I will need to do some scanning. I will try to edit this post to include images then.

7,5cm Kanon m/02
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 489 m/s
Max elevation: 16°
Range: 5 500 m
Traverse: 2°
Trail: Single
Gun weight in action: 970 kg
Rate of Fire: You tell me
Prolonged Rate of Fire: You tell me
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1903-04, 1905-07 and 1910
Quantity: 314 (155 in 1945)

This was the standard Krupp 75mm Field Gun model 1900/1904 in Swedish service. They were bought from Krupp (104) and produced on licence (210). This was the first really modern artillery in Sweden and it served throghout ww2, in line duty, the last pieces still serving in one division (batallion) of A4 in 1945. These guns had inadequate range and hitting power for ww2, and can be regarded as hopelessly obselete by the outbreak of ww2, even though the gun was light and small, which made it suitable for Swedish terrain.

Sources part on the fate of these guns, some claim most were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33, other still claim that they were stored away in mothball. At least 12 were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-10 and 108 were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 and at least 12 still remained as 7,5cm Kanon m/02 in 1945. According to one source, 8 guns were converted to AA guns in 1917 (7,5cm Lvkan m/18), however, I do not know if these guns were scrapped or returned to field gun role later. The rest were probably used for the local defence units and/or built into various defence installations.

7,5cm Kanon m/02-10
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 489 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 10 000 m
Traverse: 2°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 225 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Krupp/Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1933
Quantity: 12

In 1933, the old 7,5cm Kanon m/02 was considered as obselete, especially since it had such a short range. The Army wanted new guns, preferably with higher range and heavier shell, but the funds were not available. Thus, it was decided to improve some of the existing 7,5cm Kanon m/02. The guns were simply put on the carriage of the 10,5cm Haubits m/10, thus enabling a max elevation of 43° (as opposed to the 16° of the 7,5cm Kanon m/02) and a max range of 10 000 meters. The conversion of 12 guns were considered as a step forward, but not perfect, and further work led to the 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 conversion.

7,5cm Kanon m/02-33
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 496 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 10 000 m
Traverse: 50°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 400 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Wheels: Spoked wood or rubber covered steel
Design: Krupp/Bofors
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1933, probably later too
Quantity: 108

The 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 was a decent improvement of the old 7,5cm Kanon m/02. On a completely new lavette (some sources seem to indicate that this was the same lavette as the 7,5cm Kanon m/40) the elevation was improved to 43° and the traverse to 50°. The increased elevation allowed for the range to increase to 10 000 meters. Some of the guns (no source I have indicate how many) had rubber rim steel wheels instead of the old spoked wood wheels, to make them suitable for high-speed motor towing. The new lavette made the gun heavy though, almost too heavy for the standard horse set used by the Swedish artillery to move their guns.

7,5cm Kanon m/40
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 37,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 225-525 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 10 700 m
Traverse: Probably 50°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 435 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A (probably high due to automatic opening and closing of the breech)
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood or rubber covered steel
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940 and 1942
Quantity: 64 (28 m/40S, 16 m/40A and 20 m/40)

The 7,5cm Kanon m/40 was a sound and modern design by Bofors, intended for the export market. Siam had ordered 80 and Argentina 224 of these guns, the 52 that were finished were seized by Swedish authorities as war broke out in Europe 1939. After negotiations, the Finns bought 8 of Argentina's guns, thus Sweden kept 44 of the guns (designated 7,5cm Kanon m/40S and m/40A, S for Siam and A for Argentina) and ordered a further 20 from Bofors. The gun had a smaller version of the lavette for 10,5cm Kanon m/34 and 15cm Haubits m/39, which meant it could be deployed in sloping terrain.

8,4cm Kanon m/81
Caliber: 84 mm
Barrel lenght: 24,6 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,72 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 470 m/s
Max elevation: 21°
Range: 5 900 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Single/pole
Gun weight in action: 1 015 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A (probably low due to no recoil system)
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 8,4cm m/04
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1881
Quantity: 204 (about 150 in 1945)

The old 8,4cm Kanon m/81 was still in use in some local defence units and in some fortifications during the early years of ww2. In case of an invasion in 1940, some would probably have been taken out of their mothball and would have seen use. The gun was breech loaded but had no recoil system.

10,5cm Haubits m/10
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 14 cal
Projectile Weight: 14,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 293 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 5 800 m
Traverse: 5,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 100 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/10 (charge 1-5)
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1911-12 and 1916-19
Quantity: 156 (149 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Haubits m/10 was a decent artillery piece when introduced. In ww2, it was already outdated, even though it was a light and agile gun, it lacked range and traverse, forcing the crew to re-position the gun often. It was the first gun that Bofors designed single-handedly. 5 divisions (batallions) were still using the 10,5cm Haubits m/10 in 1945, despite the introduction of the 10,5cm Haubits m/39 and 10,5cm Haubits m/40.

10,5cm Kanon m/17
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 32,3 cal
Projectile Weight: 18,2 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 590 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 11 200 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 2 755 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/17
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1917
Quantity: 12 (11 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Kanon m/17 was one of the few purchases that Sweden could do during ww1. The guns were used as corps artillery until 1941, when they were retired from line army service. None of my sources mention where they went, but I assume they were transferred to local defence units.

10,5cm Kanon m/19
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: N/A
Projectile Weight: N/A
Muzzle Velocity: N/A
Max elevation: N/A
Range: N/A
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: N/A
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/??
Design: Probably Bofors
Wheels: N/A
Shield: N/A
Year of delivery: Probably 1919
Quantity: N/A

This is supposedly a 10,5cm mobile coastal defence gun. Sweden issued mobile artillery to the coastal defence, mainly in form of cannons, to enable the coastal artillery to switch positions and forcing an enemy to guess the strength of the defensive artillery, since the mobile guns could be anywhere. Many of these guns seem to have participiated in Army manouvres and I assume they would be used to support Army units in case of an invasion.

10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: Probably 14 cal
Projectile Weight: 14,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 293 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 8 000 m
Traverse: 5,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 100 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/10
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1926-27
Quantity: 4

The 10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24 was the only mountain artillery in Sweden. Based on the design of the 10,5cm Haubits m/10, the 10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24 could be broked down in several loads and transported on horseback. Extensive testing took place in the 30s, but mountain artillery was deemed as too expensive and not suitable for the Swedish terrain. Mortars were considered a better option, as they were cheaper, lighter and smaller. All of these guns were lended to Finland during the winter war and were not returned until 1944.

10,5cm Haubits m/39
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 28 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 470 m/s
Max elevation: 42°
Range: 10 900 m
Traverse: 57°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 985 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/39
Design: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Wheels: Spoked wood or Rubber covered aluminium
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940-43
Quantity: 142 (138 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Haubits m/39 was the German 10.5 leFH18 howitzer. Sweden purchased 142 of these guns from 1940 to 1943. As all other ways of importing arms were closed, Sweden bought weapons from Germany. These guns were still in service with some local defence units in the early 80s. As a design, it was considered modern and sound in Sweden, but inferior to the Bofors 10,5cm Haubits m/40.

10,5cm Haubits m/40.
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 18,4 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 449 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 10 600 m
Traverse: 60°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 970 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/39
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood or Rubber covered aluminium
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940-44
Quantity: 242

The 10,5cm Haubits m/40 were designed as an export gun by Bofors, and when war broke out, Sweden seized 16 guns intended for Siam (10,cm Haubits m/40S) and 16 guns intended for The Netherlands (10,5cm Haubits m/40H). In 1941, another 210 howitzers were ordered and they were delivered between 1941 and 1943. The 10,5cm Haubits m/40S had spoked wood wheels, while all later guns had solid rubber ringed aliminium wheels suitable for motor towing.

10,5cm Kanon m/34
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 39,9 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 450-785 m/s
Max elevation: 42°
Range: 17 300 m
Traverse: 30°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 4 000 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/34 (charge 1-3)
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Rubber covered steel
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1934, 1936-40 and 1944
Quantity: 64 (4 m/27-34, 64 m/34, minus 12 sent to Finland, 8 m/34B, 64 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Kanon m/34 was a modern, high-powered long-range cannon. The lavette was the same as on the 15cm Haubits m/38 and the 15cm Haubits m/39. The lavette had an innovative suspension that allowed the gun to be set up and fired in a sloping hillside, a big advantage in rough terrain. The orginal guns were part of the mobile coastal artillery (10,5cm Kanon m/27-34) but were in 1942 turned over to the Army where they, together with the 10,5cm Kanon m/34 and m/34B formed 4 corps artillery divisions (batallions). My sources does not mention if the 12 guns given to Finland during the Winter War was returned or not.

12cm Kanon m/85
Caliber: 117 mm
Barrel lenght: 28,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 16,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 475 m/s
Max elevation: 35°
Range: 8 600 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Single/pole
Gun weight in action: 2 485 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 12cm m/85
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked Wood
Shield: No
Year of delivery: Probably 1885
Quantity: N/A

The old 12cm Kanon m/85 were still in use in some fortifications during the early years of ww2. If Sweden had been invaded in 1940, they would probably have been taken out of mothball and been pressed into service. This was an old breech loaded gun without recoil system and hopelessly outdated, even in 1939.

15cm Positionshaubits m/06
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 12,1 cal
Projectile Weight: 41 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 300 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 6 700 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 2 150 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/06
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: Probably 1906
Quantity: 56 (51 in 1945)

The 15cm Positionshaubits m/06 was practically the only heavy field artillery available in Sweden as ww2 broke out. It was already obselete in 1939, with its low range and inflexible design, but had to soldier on in Line Army duty until after 1941, when newer howitzers finally where available in numbers to replace it. It served on, however, in local defence units throughout ww2.

15cm Haubits m/19
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: N/A
Projectile Weight: 40,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 183-422 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 9 700 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 3 300 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/19
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Probably Spoked Steel
Shield: N/A
Year of delivery: Probably 1919
Quantity: 12

The 15cm Haubits m/19 was used by the coastal artillery. It was a mobile artillery piece intended for coastal defence. Since coastal artillery units often joined Army manouvres and were placed under Army command during several mobilisations, one can assume that these guns would have been part of the Swedish defence against an invador, regardless of where he was coming from.

15cm Haubits m/38
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 22 cal
Projectile Weight: 37 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 190-503 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 11 100 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 4 200 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/19
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Probably Rubber covered Steel
Shield: N/A
Year of delivery: 1940-41
Quantity: 16

The 15cm Haubits m/38 seems to have been the fore-runner of the 15cm Haubits m/39. They used the same lavette as the 10,5cm Kanon m/34, which enabled the 15cm Haubits m/38 to be placed in sloping terrain. The 15cm Haubits m/38 served in a corps artillery division (batallion) from 1940 to war's end.

15cm Haubits m/39
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 23 cal
Projectile Weight: 41,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 580 m/s
Max elevation: 65°
Range: 14 600 m
Traverse: 45°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 2 150 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/39
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Probably Rubber covered Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1941-45
Quantity: 113

The famous Bofors 15cm Haubits m/39 was a modern, sound and effective howitzer with a good lavette that enabled it to be positioned in and fire from sloped terrain. It had a good range and a heavy shell, making it one of the best field artillery pieces available to the Swedish Army during ww2. The last guns were not withdrawn from service until 1991. At the end of the war, it equipped 6 corps artillery divisions (battalions).

15,2cm Kanon m/37
Caliber: 152,4 mm
Barrel lenght: 43 cal
Projectile Weight: 46 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 500-825 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: Probably above 20 000 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 14 800 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15,2cm m/37
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1941 and 1945
Quantity: 23

The 15,2cm Kanon m/37 was the finest among the mobile coastal artillery in Sweden. It was a highly mobile cannon, designed for motor towing and quick limbering and unlimbering. Even though my sources on this gun are scarce, they all concur on the fact that this was an excellent artillery piece. The gun was transported by the 6x6 Volvo TVB m/40

21cm Haubits m/17
Caliber: 210 mm
Barrel lenght: 14,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 120 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 394 m/s
Max elevation: 70°
Range: 10 200 m
Traverse: 4°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 7 530 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 21cm m/17
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1918-19
Quantity: 12 (minus 4 sent to Finland)

The 21cm Haubits m/17 was the German Langer Mörser 1916. In ww1, the need for siege artillery was realised, and Sweden managed to buy 12 guns to equip one division (batallion) of siege artillery. In february 1940, 4 of the guns were sent to Finland as a part of the Swedish aid during the Winter War. My sources do not indicate if these guns were returned or not.

21cm Kanon m/42
Caliber: 210 mm
Barrel lenght: 46 cal
Projectile Weight: 133 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 550, 650 or 800 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 30 000 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 33 000 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 21cm m/43
Design: Skoda 135/800
Wheels: None
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1944
Quantity: 9

The 21cm Kanon m/42 was not really a field artillery piece, yet it was designed to be broken up in three parts and moved. It was the heaviest movable gun in Sweden during ww2. It had superior range and hitting power, and the 9 guns could be deployed at any quickly prepared site.

von Adler
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Posts: 83
Joined: 16 Aug 2002, 12:49
Location: Ã…rsta, Stockholm, Sweden
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Re: Swedish artillery

#12

Post by von Adler » 23 Dec 2011, 01:52

Since I cannot edit the old post, here's a new one, with images and updated data.

57mm Kanon m/95
Image
Caliber: 57 mm
Barrel lenght: 25,9 cal
Projectile Weight: 2,72 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 485 m/s
Max elevation: 12°
Range: 4 500 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Single
Gun weight in action: 900 kg
Rate of Fire: You tell me
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: N/A
Design: Finspong
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: N/A
Quantity: 24 in 1939

Mobile coast artillery piece, still in use in ww2 to protect coastal mine lines.

7,5cm Kanon m/02
ImageImage
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 489 m/s
Max elevation: 16°
Range: 5 500 m
Traverse: 2°
Trail: Single
Gun weight in action: 970 kg
Rate of Fire: You tell me
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1903-04, 1905-07 and 1910
Quantity: 314, 200 in 1939 (of which 144 was on good shape), 155 in 1945.

This was the standard Krupp 75mm Field Gun model 1900/1904 in Swedish service. They were bought from Krupp (104) and produced on licence (210). This was the first really modern artillery in Sweden and it served throghout ww2, in line duty, the last pieces still serving in one division (batallion) of A4 in 1945. These guns had inadequate range and hitting power for ww2, and can be regarded as hopelessly obselete by the outbreak of ww2, even though the gun was light and small, which made it suitable for Swedish terrain.

Sources part on the fate of these guns, some claim most were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33, other still claim that they were stored away in mothball. At least 12 were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-10 and 108 were converted to 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 and at least 12 still remained as 7,5cm Kanon m/02 in 1945. According to one source, 8 guns were converted to AA guns in 1917 (7,5cm Lvkan m/18), however, I do not know if these guns were scrapped or returned to field gun role later. The rest were probably used for the local defence units and/or built into various defence installations.

7,5cm Kanon m/02-10
Image
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 489 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 10 000 m
Traverse: 2°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 225 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Krupp/Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1933
Quantity: 12

In 1933, the old 7,5cm Kanon m/02 was considered as obselete, especially since it had such a short range. The Army wanted new guns, preferably with higher range and heavier shell, but the funds were not available. Thus, it was decided to improve some of the existing 7,5cm Kanon m/02. The guns were simply put on the carriage of the 10,5cm Haubits m/10, thus enabling a max elevation of 43° (as opposed to the 16° of the 7,5cm Kanon m/02) and a max range of 10 000 meters. The conversion of 12 guns were considered as a step forward, but not perfect, and further work led to the 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 conversion.

7,5cm Kanon m/02-33
Image
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 27 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 496 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 10 000 m
Traverse: 50°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 400 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Wheels: Spoked wood or rubber covered steel
Design: Krupp/Bofors
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1933, probably later too
Quantity: 108

The 7,5cm Kanon m/02-33 was a decent improvement of the old 7,5cm Kanon m/02. On a completely new lavette (some sources seem to indicate that this was the same lavette as the 7,5cm Kanon m/40) the elevation was improved to 43° and the traverse to 50°. The increased elevation allowed for the range to increase to 10 000 meters. Some of the guns (no source I have indicate how many) had rubber rim steel wheels instead of the old spoked wood wheels, to make them suitable for high-speed motor towing. The new lavette made the gun heavy though, almost too heavy for the standard horse set used by the Swedish artillery to move their guns.

7,5cm Kanon m/40
Image
Caliber: 75 mm
Barrel lenght: 37,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 225-525 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 10 700 m
Traverse: Probably 50°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 435 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A (probably high due to automatic opening and closing of the breech)
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 7,5cm m/00
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood or rubber covered steel
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940 and 1942
Quantity: 64 (28 m/40S, 16 m/40A and 20 m/40)

The 7,5cm Kanon m/40 was a sound and modern design by Bofors, intended for the export market. Siam had ordered 80 and Argentina 224 of these guns, the 52 that were finished were seized by Swedish authorities as war broke out in Europe 1939. After negotiations, the Finns bought 8 of Argentina's guns, thus Sweden kept 44 of the guns (designated 7,5cm Kanon m/40S and m/40A, S for Siam and A for Argentina) and ordered a further 20 from Bofors. The gun had a smaller version of the lavette for 10,5cm Kanon m/34 and 15cm Haubits m/39, which meant it could be deployed in sloping terrain.

8,4cm Kanon m/81
Image
Caliber: 84 mm
Barrel lenght: 24,6 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,72 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 470 m/s
Max elevation: 21°
Range: 5 900 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Single/pole
Gun weight in action: 1 015 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A (probably low due to no recoil system)
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 8,4cm m/04
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1881
Quantity: 204 (about 150 in 1945)

The old 8,4cm Kanon m/81 was still in use in some local defence units and in some fortifications during the early years of ww2. In case of an invasion in 1940, some would probably have been taken out of their mothball and would have seen use. The gun was breech loaded but had no recoil system. Landstormen raised 8 batteries and 64 single gun units (the last one mixed up with 7,5cm guns) of these guns 1940.

8,4cm Kanon m/83
Image
Caliber: 84 mm
Barrel lenght: 27,4 cal
Projectile Weight: 6,72kg
Muzzle Velocity: 470 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 6 000 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Single/pole
Gun weight in action: 1 015 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A (probably low due to no recoil system)
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: N/A
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: N/A
Quantity: 10

Uses as a flare gun for the emplaced coastal artillery.

10,5cm Haubits m/10
ImageImageImage
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 14 cal
Projectile Weight: 14,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 293 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 5 800 m
Traverse: 5,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 100 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/10 (charge 1-5)
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1911-12 and 1916-19
Quantity: 156 (149 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Haubits m/10 was a decent artillery piece when introduced. In ww2, it was already outdated, even though it was a light and agile gun, it lacked range and traverse, forcing the crew to re-position the gun often. It was the first gun that Bofors designed single-handedly. 5 divisions (batallions) were still using the 10,5cm Haubits m/10 in 1945, despite the introduction of the 10,5cm Haubits m/39 and 10,5cm Haubits m/40.

10,5cm Kanon m/17
ImageImage
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 32,3 cal
Projectile Weight: 18,2 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 590 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 11 200 m
Traverse: N/A
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 2 755 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/17
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1917
Quantity: 12 (11 in 1945)

The 10,5cm Kanon m/17 was one of the few purchases that Sweden could do during ww1. The guns were used as corps artillery until 1941, when they were retired from line army service. None of my sources mention where they went, but I assume they were transferred to local defence units.

10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24
Image
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: Probably 14 cal
Projectile Weight: 14,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 293 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 8 000 m
Traverse: 5,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 1 100 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/10
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1926-27
Quantity: 4, 4 in 1939, 0 in 1945

The 10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24 was the only mountain artillery in Sweden. Based on the design of the 10,5cm Haubits m/10, the 10,5cm Berghaubits m/10-24 could be broked down in several loads and transported on horseback. Extensive testing took place in the 30s, but mountain artillery was deemed as too expensive and not suitable for the Swedish terrain. Mortars were considered a better option, as they were cheaper, lighter and smaller. All of these guns were lended to Finland during the winter war and were not returned until 1944.

10,5cm Haubits m/39
ImageImage
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 28 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 470 m/s
Max elevation: 42°
Range: 10 900 m
Traverse: 57°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 985 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/39
Design: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Wheels: Spoked wood or Rubber covered aluminium
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940-43
Quantity: 142, 138 in 1945

The 10,5cm Haubits m/39 was the German 10.5 leFH18 howitzer. Sweden purchased 142 of these guns from 1940 to 1943. As all other ways of importing arms were closed, Sweden bought weapons from Germany. These guns were still in service with some local defence units in the early 80s. As a design, it was considered modern and sound in Sweden, but inferior to the Bofors 10,5cm Haubits m/40.

10,5cm Haubits m/40
Image
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 18,4 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 449 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 10 600 m
Traverse: 60°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 1 970 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/39
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood or Rubber covered aluminium
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1940-44
Quantity: 242

The 10,5cm Haubits m/40 were designed as an export gun by Bofors, and when war broke out, Sweden seized 16 guns intended for Siam (10,cm Haubits m/40S) and 16 guns intended for The Netherlands (10,5cm Haubits m/40H). In 1941, another 210 howitzers were ordered and they were delivered between 1941 and 1943. The 10,5cm Haubits m/40S had spoked wood wheels, while all later guns had solid rubber ringed aliminium wheels suitable for motor towing.

10,5cm Kanon m/34
ImageImage
Caliber: 105 mm
Barrel lenght: 39,9 cal
Projectile Weight: 15,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 450-785 m/s
Max elevation: 42°
Range: 17 300 m
Traverse: 30°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 4 000 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 10,5cm m/34 (charge 1-3)
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Rubber covered steel
Shield: Yes
Year of delivery: 1934, 1936-40 and 1944
Quantity: 64 (4 m/27-34, 64 m/34, minus 12 sent to Finland, 8 m/34B), 48 in 1939, 64 in 1945

The 10,5cm Kanon m/34 was a modern, high-powered long-range cannon. The lavette was the same as on the 15cm Haubits m/38 and the 15cm Haubits m/39. The lavette had an innovative suspension that allowed the gun to be set up and fired in a sloping hillside, a big advantage in rough terrain. The orginal guns were part of the mobile coastal artillery (10,5cm Kanon m/27-34) but were in 1942 turned over to the Army where they, together with the 10,5cm Kanon m/34 and m/34B formed 4 corps artillery divisions (batallions). My sources does not mention if the 12 guns given to Finland during the Winter War was returned or not.

12cm Kanon m/85
ImageImage
Caliber: 117 mm
Barrel lenght: 28,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 16,8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 475 m/s
Max elevation: 35°
Range: 8 600 m
Traverse: 2,5°
Trail: Single/pole
Gun weight in action: 2 485 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 12cm m/85
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked Wood
Shield: No
Year of delivery: Probably 1885
Quantity: 53

The old 12cm Kanon m/85 were still in use in some fortifications during the early years of ww2. If Sweden had been invaded in 1940, they would probably have been taken out of mothball and been pressed into service. This was an old breech loaded gun without recoil system and hopelessly outdated, even in 1939. Still used as a flare gun for the heavier coastal artillery throughout the war.

15cm Positionshaubits m/06
ImageImage
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 12,1 cal
Projectile Weight: 41 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 300 m/s
Max elevation: 43°
Range: 6 700 m
Traverse: 2,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 2 150 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/06
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Spoked Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: Probably 1906
Quantity: 56, 54 in 1939, 51 in 1945

The 15cm Positionshaubits m/06 was practically the only heavy field artillery available in Sweden as ww2 broke out. It was already obselete in 1939, with its low range and inflexible design, but had to soldier on in Line Army duty until after 1941, when newer howitzers finally where available in numbers to replace it. It served on, however, in local defence units throughout ww2.

15cm Haubits m/19
Image
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: N/A
Projectile Weight: 40,6 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 183-422 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 10 400 m
Traverse: 2,5°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 3 300 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/19
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Spoked wood
Shield: N/A
Year of delivery: Probably 1919
Quantity: 12

The 15cm Haubits m/19 was used by the coastal artillery. It was a mobile artillery piece intended for coastal defence. Since coastal artillery units often joined Army manouvres and were placed under Army command during several mobilisations, one can assume that these guns would have been part of the Swedish defence against an invador, regardless of where he was coming from.

15cm Haubits m/38
Image
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 22 cal
Projectile Weight: 37 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 190-503 m/s
Max elevation: N/A
Range: 11 100 m
Traverse: 60°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 4 200 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/19
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Probably Rubber covered Steel
Shield: N/A
Year of delivery: 1940-41
Quantity: 16

The 15cm Haubits m/38 seems to have been the fore-runner of the 15cm Haubits m/39. They used the same lavette as the 10,5cm Kanon m/34, which enabled the 15cm Haubits m/38 to be placed in sloping terrain. The 15cm Haubits m/38 served in a corps artillery division (batallion) from 1940 to war's end.

15cm Haubits m/39
ImageImage
Caliber: 149,1 mm
Barrel lenght: 23 cal
Projectile Weight: 41,5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 580 m/s
Max elevation: 65°
Range: 14 600 m
Traverse: 45° (m/39) or 60° (m/39B)
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 2 150 kg
Rate of Fire: 4-6 shots per minute
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15cm m/39
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Probably Rubber covered Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1941-45
Quantity: 113, 28 in 1939

The famous Bofors 15cm Haubits m/39 was a modern, sound and effective howitzer with a good lavette that enabled it to be positioned in and fire from sloped terrain. It had a good range and a heavy shell, making it one of the best field artillery pieces available to the Swedish Army during ww2. The last guns were not withdrawn from service until 1991. At the end of the war, it equipped 6 corps artillery divisions (battalions).

15,2cm Kanon m/37
ImageImage
Caliber: 152,4 mm
Barrel lenght: 43 cal
Projectile Weight: 46 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 500-825 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 23 000 m
Traverse: 60°
Trail: Split
Gun weight in action: 14 800 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 15,2cm m/37
Design: Bofors
Wheels: Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1941 and 1945
Quantity: 23

The 15,2cm Kanon m/37 was the finest among the mobile coastal artillery in Sweden. It was a highly mobile cannon, designed for motor towing and quick limbering and unlimbering. Even though my sources on this gun are scarce, they all concur on the fact that this was an excellent artillery piece. The gun was transported by the 6x6 Volvo TVB m/40

21cm Haubits m/17
ImageImageImageImage
Caliber: 210 mm
Barrel lenght: 14,5 cal
Projectile Weight: 120 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 394 m/s
Max elevation: 70°
Range: 10 200 m
Traverse: 4°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 7 530 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 21cm m/17
Design: Krupp
Wheels: Steel
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1918-19
Quantity: 12 (minus 4 sent to Finland)

The 21cm Haubits m/17 was the German Langer Mörser 1916. In ww1, the need for siege artillery was realised, and Sweden managed to buy 12 guns to equip one division (batallion) of siege artillery. In february 1940, 4 of the guns were sent to Finland as a part of the Swedish aid during the Winter War. My sources do not indicate if these guns were returned or not.

21cm Kanon m/42
Image
Caliber: 210 mm
Barrel lenght: 46 cal
Projectile Weight: 133 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 550, 650 or 800 m/s
Max elevation: 45°
Range: 30 000 m
Traverse: 360°
Trail: Box
Gun weight in action: 33 000 kg
Rate of Fire: N/A
Prolonged Rate of Fire: N/A
Ammunition: 21cm m/43
Design: Skoda 135/800
Wheels: None
Shield: No
Year of delivery: 1944
Quantity: 9

The 21cm Kanon m/42 was not really a field artillery piece, yet it was designed to be broken up in three parts and moved. It was the heaviest movable gun in Sweden during ww2. It had superior range and hitting power, and the 9 guns could be deployed at any quickly prepared site.

User avatar
Manuferey
Member
Posts: 4082
Joined: 17 May 2007, 15:52
Location: Virginia

Re: Swedish artillery

#13

Post by Manuferey » 23 Dec 2011, 04:10

The 21 cm m/42 was built by Skoda, then controlled by the Germans, and was to be used as coastal artillery, in the same way as the Germans used their 21 cm Skoda (K39/40 and K39/41) on the Atlantikwall in France (e.g. MKB Marcouf near Utah Beach) and Norway.

Here is the story of these 21 cm m/42:
http://www.beredskapsmuseet.com/history21e.html

Emmanuel

Sturm78
Member
Posts: 17927
Joined: 02 Oct 2008, 18:18
Location: Spain

Re: Swedish artillery

#14

Post by Sturm78 » 24 Dec 2011, 12:02

Thank you very much for your information and images, von Adler. :D :D
Fantastic information and pictures!!

Thanks especially for the images of 152mm Bofors m/37. I was looking for a good picture of this gun for a long time.

The only regret is not having better quality image of the 105mm Bofors Haubits m/40.

Any new information and/or image will be welcomed


Regards Sturm78

von Adler
Member
Posts: 83
Joined: 16 Aug 2002, 12:49
Location: Ã…rsta, Stockholm, Sweden
Contact:

Re: Swedish artillery

#15

Post by von Adler » 24 Dec 2011, 12:47

Post-war image:
Image

I gor some in my books I could scan, but they will not be high-resolution.

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