Dolf Goldsmith on his 37mm Bofors antitank gun

Published on December 17, 2012
Duration: 3:28

Dolf Goldsmith recounts his acquisition and use of Bofors 37mm antitank guns in the mid-20th century. He details purchasing multiple units for $200 each, along with ammunition for $0.50 per round. The guns were used for recreational shooting, including felling trees in upstate New York. Goldsmith also highlights the various accessories available, such as insert barrels for smaller caliber rounds (303 British and 6.5 Swedish) and blank firing attachments, demonstrating their versatility beyond their intended anti-armor role.

Quick Summary

Dolf Goldsmith acquired Bofors 37mm antitank guns for $200 each, with ammunition costing about $0.50 per round. These versatile weapons featured insert barrels for firing .303 British and 6.5 Swedish rounds, and subcaliber barrels for accuracy training. They also came with spare parts chests and blank firing attachments.

Chapters

  1. 00:13Acquiring the Bofors Guns
  2. 00:47Cost of Guns and Shells
  3. 01:02Transporting and Shooting
  4. 01:40Recreational Use: Felling Trees
  5. 01:58Projectile Damage
  6. 02:08Accessories: Armored Fields and Parts Chests
  7. 02:17Insert Barrels for .303 and 6.5mm
  8. 02:55Optical Sights and Blank Firing
  9. 03:13Current Status of the Guns

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did the Bofors 37mm antitank guns cost?

Dolf Goldsmith states that he purchased Bofors 37mm antitank guns for $200 each. He also mentions that ammunition for these guns was very inexpensive, costing around 50 cents per round, allowing for extensive shooting.

What kind of accessories were available for the Bofors 37mm gun?

The Bofors 37mm gun came with several accessories, including a spare parts chest, an insert barrel, and a cart. Notably, insert barrels allowed the firing of smaller caliber rounds like the .303 British and 6.5 Swedish ball, and a special cartridge could hold a .303 round.

Were there options for training or practice with the Bofors 37mm gun?

Yes, the Bofors 37mm gun had training accessories. This included a subcaliber barrel system for firing 6.5 Swedish ball rounds, intended for accuracy practice. Blank firing attachments and drill purpose firing pins were also available for safe practice drills.

What type of projectiles did the 37mm Bofors shells use?

According to Dolf Goldsmith, the 37mm Bofors shells were solid projectiles. While he notes they were solid, he also observed that they caused a significant amount of damage upon impact.

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