Hovea m/49
Hærens Våbenarsenal · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1949
Also known as: Hovea M1949, Hovea M49
Overview
The Hovea m/49 is a Danish blowback-operated, open-bolt submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. Derived from a Husqvarna design that lost the Swedish Army trials to the Carl Gustaf m/45, the modified Hovea was adopted by Denmark in 1949 and built from stamped, riveted steel by the state arsenal Hærens Våbenarsenal in Copenhagen. It featured a side-folding stock, a perforated barrel shroud, and originally used Suomi-pattern 50-round magazines before switching to the more reliable 36-round Carl Gustaf m/45 double-stack magazines. It remained in Danish service until the 1990s.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3350 g (118.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 808 mm (31.81") |
| Folded Length | 548 mm (21.57") |
| Barrel Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 36 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 365 m/s (1198 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 496 J (366 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Bolt Locking Notch
- Features: Stamped Steel Construction, Side Folding Stock, Perforated Barrel Shroud, Open Bolt Operation
Service history
Operators
- Royal Danish Army · adopted 1949
Production
Estimated total produced: 15,750 · Production years: 1950-1953
Initial batch of 750 guns followed by a main production run of roughly 15,000
Origin
Country of origin: Denmark
Designer: Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB
Discontinued: 1953
Notes
Approximately 15,750 were produced: an initial batch of 750 around 1950 and a main run of about 15,000 from 1952. The magazine housing was redesigned to accept Carl Gustaf m/45 magazines between the two production batches.
Background
The Hovea began as a Husqvarna entry in Sweden's late-WWII submachine gun trials, where it lost to the state-designed Carl Gustaf m/45. Rejected at home, the design found a second life when Denmark adopted a modified version in 1949, giving the losing Swedish prototype a long career in Danish hands.