Danish Marked Swedish Husqvarna Model M40 (M/40S) Lahti, Blue 4 3/4” RARE WWII SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R

LSB#: 160404PT29

Make: Husqvarna

Model: Lahti Pistol Model M40 – Designated M/40S in Denmark

Serial Number: D9104

Year of Manufacture: 1943-1944

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “D9104”. The left side of the receiver is marked “Husqvarna Vapenfabriks A. B. / D9104”. The top rear of the frame is marked with a crowned “HV” inspection mark, which stands for Haerens Vapenarsenal” (Danish Army Armory). We did not see any markings on the inside of the receiver.

Barrel Length: The barrel is 4 ¾” in length.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade with a vertical rear face that is dovetailed into a banded base on the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped “U” notch fixed to the back of the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black checkered plastic with a crowned Husqvarna logo on both sides. The checkering is sharp with a tiny mar in the right grip. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp pronounced rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 94% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the edges of the barrel, receiver, frame and takedown lever with surface loss on the serrations of the breechblock. There are several light marks through the finish in the barrel, front strap, trigger guard and the sides of the receiver and frame, with a few deeper marks on the right rear of the frame above the grip. There are also two tiny dings at the top of the backstrap. The slide, safety and takedown lever serrations are sharp. The grip screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear with raised edges. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of one blued 8 round magazine with a steel follower. The magazine shows minimal wear with thinning on the edges of the floorplate. It is in about Fine condition.

Our Assessment: Please see http://candrsenal.com/pistol-swedish-lahti-m40/ and http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/m40/pist40_4.htm for more information on the M40 and its use by Danish forces than we can provide here. This is an interesting looking pistol with many Luger similarities, and is a direct descendant of the Bergmann-Bayard M1910 pistol. They were designed in Finland to work reliably in extreme cold weather and to be strong enough to handle the robust German submachine gun ammo that could be picked-up on the battlefield. Husqvarna began production in 1942 after acquiring a license from the Finns, and produced a total run of about 80,000 pistols. About 13,000 pistols were sent to Denmark during the war for use by Danish exiles and the Danish police forces. 10,000 were ordered and received by the Danish Police forces in the S/N range D5001-D16000 during 1944. This pistol is one of the 10,000 received by the Danish police force. It is in about Excellent overall condition with 94% of its original finish remaining. It shows thinning on its edges with holster wear on the front edges of the frame and surface loss on the breechblock serrations. There are several handling marks scattered over the surfaces of the pistol with a few deeper scratches on the right rear of the frame above the grip and two small dings at the top of the backstrap. The grips are checkered black plastic and show sharp checkering with a tiny mar in the right grip. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. This pistol is correctly marked and in fantastic condition considering it was made in the latter days of WWII. This pistol should have high interest by WWII collectors and collectors of Swedish and/or Danish firearms.

Danish Marked Swedish Husqvarna Model M40 (M/40S) Lahti, Blue 4 3/4” RARE WWII SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R
Danish Marked Swedish Husqvarna Model M40 (M/40S) Lahti, Blue 4 3/4” RARE WWII SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R