1938 Swedish Army Trials Luger

Published on August 20, 2019
Duration: 5:31

This video provides an expert-level review of the 1938 Swedish Trials Luger, presented by Ian McCollum. It details the historical context of Swedish firearm trials, the specific Mauser contract for these Lugers, and their unique technical features, including a contrasting rust-blued frame and salt-blued barrel. The review highlights why the Luger was ultimately rejected despite its accuracy.

Quick Summary

The 1938 Swedish Trials Luger, despite being the most accurate firearm tested, was ultimately rejected by Sweden due to its high cost and poor reliability in cold weather conditions. It featured a unique rust-blued frame and salt-blued barrel finish, with two variants produced in 9mm Luger and .30 Luger calibers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Swedish 1938 Trials Luger
  2. 01:141938 Trials Context: Caliber Standardization
  3. 01:52Mauser Contract Details: Serial Numbers & Variants
  4. 02:43Technical Features: Finish and Markings
  5. 03:59Trial Outcome and Adoption Decision

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key reasons the 1938 Swedish Trials Luger was rejected?

The 1938 Swedish Trials Luger was rejected primarily due to being too expensive for Swedish military adoption. Additionally, despite its superior accuracy, it failed reliability tests in cold weather conditions, which was a critical factor for Swedish military requirements.

What unique finish characterized the 1938 Swedish Trials Lugers?

These trial Lugers featured a distinctive two-tone finish: the frame was rust-blued, giving it a matte appearance, while the barrel was salt-blued, resulting in a shinier, deeper blue-black contrast. Small parts were also strawed to a golden color.

What calibers and barrel lengths were offered for the 1938 Swedish Trials Luger?

Two variants were produced: the standard model had a 4.75-inch barrel chambered in 9mm Luger, and a limited run of 25 units featured a shorter 4-inch barrel chambered in .30 Luger.

Which firearms did the 1938 Swedish Trials Luger compete against?

The 1938 Swedish Trials Luger competed against other contemporary sidearms, notably the Walther HP (a precursor to the P38) and the Finnish Lahti M35. These trials aimed to find a new standard sidearm for Sweden.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →