Carl Gustaf Kg m/40
Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori · Machine Gun · Discontinued · 1940
Also known as: Kg m/40, Kulsprutegevär m/1940, Knorr-Bremse m/40, LH-33
Overview
The Carl Gustaf Kg m/40 (Kulsprutegevär m/1940) is a Swedish light machine gun adopted by the Swedish Army during World War II. A gas-operated, air-cooled, open-bolt automatic weapon firing the 6.5x55mm Swedish cartridge from a 20-round detachable box magazine, it was a licensed adaptation of the German Knorr-Bremse MG 35/36 design reworked for Swedish service. Plagued by poor reliability and notorious firing vibration, it was quickly relegated to Home Guard use and withdrawn after the war.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8500 g (299.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1257 mm (49.49") |
| Barrel Length | 685 mm (26.97") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 745 m/s (2444 fps) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 480 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 6.5x55mm Swedish · primary — also known as 6.5x55, 6.5x55 SE, 6.5 Swede, 6.5mm m/94
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Air Cooled, Quick Change Barrel, Bipod, Tangent Sight
Service history
Operators
- Swedish Army · adopted 1940 · as Kg m/40
- Swedish Home Guard · as Kg m/40
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 5,000 · Production years: 1940-1943
Approximately 5,000 units produced by Industri AB Svenska Automatvapen (SAV).
Origin
Country of origin: Sweden
Designer: Hans Lauf
Discontinued: 1943
Notes
Adapted from the German Knorr-Bremse MG 35/36 (Hans Lauf design). Assembled by Industri AB Svenska Automatvapen (SAV) in Sundbyberg with barrels produced by the Carl Gustaf state rifle factory in Eskilstuna; roughly 5,000 were built between 1940 and 1943.
Background
Sweden licensed the Knorr-Bremse design as a stopgap squad automatic during the wartime arms shortage, but the m/40's poor reliability and violent vibration earned it a poor reputation, and it was soon pushed down to the Home Guard before being retired after 1945.