Solothurn S-18/100
Waffenfabrik Solothurn AG · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1934
Also known as: S18-100, Solothurn S18/100, 20mm Solothurn
Overview
The Solothurn S-18/100 was a Swiss-designed semi-automatic anti-tank rifle of the 1930s, chambered for the 20x105mmB cartridge. Built around a recoil-operated action in a bullpup layout, it fed from a side-mounted 5- or 10-round box magazine and rested on front and rear bipods for its considerable bulk. At roughly 45kg it was a crew-served weapon, capable of defeating the light armour of early-war tanks at several hundred metres. Manufactured through Solothurn's links to Rheinmetall and the Steyr-Solothurn marketing arrangement, it was exported widely across Europe before being eclipsed by the heavier-hitting S-18/1000.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 45000 g (1587.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1760 mm (69.29") |
| Barrel Length | 925 mm (36.42") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 735 m/s (2411 fps) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 20x105mmB · primary — also known as 20x105mm Solothurn, 20mm Short Solothurn
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Bullpup Layout, Perforated Muzzle Brake, Front And Rear Bipod, Side Mounted Magazine, Optional Telescopic Sight, Two Man Crew
Variants
- Solothurn S-18/1000 — Longer Cartridge
- Solothurn S-18/1100 — Full Automatic
Service history
Operators
- Hungarian Army · as 36M
- Italian Army · as Fucile Controcarro S
- Finnish Defence Forces
- Swiss Armed Forces
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Winter War (1939-1940)
- Continuation War (1941-1944)
Production
Production years: 1934-1945
Produced in modest numbers and exported to Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands and Switzerland
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Marketed internationally via Steyr-Solothurn; the larger S-18/1000 used the more powerful 20x138mmB cartridge for greater penetration.
Background
Although designed in Switzerland, the S-18 series was effectively a Rheinmetall product routed through the Solothurn subsidiary to sidestep the Treaty of Versailles restrictions on German arms development, then sold abroad through the Austrian Steyr-Solothurn marketing company.