Solothurn S-18/100
Waffenfabrik Solothurn AG · Rifle · Discontinued · 1934
Also known as: S18-100, Solothurn 20mm, 2 cm Solothurn
Overview
The Solothurn S-18/100 is a Swiss semi-automatic anti-tank rifle chambered in 20x105mmB, developed in the 1930s by Waffenfabrik Solothurn, a Swiss subsidiary controlled by Germany's Rheinmetall. Operating on the short-recoil principle with a rotating-nut locking system, it fed from a 10-round side-mounted detachable box magazine and weighed roughly 40 kg, requiring a bipod and monopod for support. Firing armor-piercing projectiles at about 735 m/s, it could defeat around 35 mm of armor at 100 m, making it effective against the light tanks of the early war before being outclassed and largely relegated to anti-materiel work.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 40000 g (1411.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1760 mm (69.29") |
| Barrel Length | 925 mm (36.42") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 735 m/s (2411 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 39163 J (28885 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 20x105mmB Solothurn · primary — also known as 20x105B, 20x105mmB, 2 cm Solothurn kurz
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Muzzle Brake, Folding Bipod, Monopod, Side Mounted Magazine, Iron Sights, Optional Telescopic Sight
Variants
- Solothurn S-18/1000 — Magnum Cartridge
- Solothurn S-18/1100 — Select Fire
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Army · adopted 1940 · as Tankbüchse 41
- Royal Hungarian Army · adopted 1936 · as 36M
- Royal Italian Army · adopted 1939 · as Fucile controcarro S Solothurn
- Netherlands Army
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1934-1940
Produced in limited numbers and exported to Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and others; later superseded by the S-18/1000.
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Rheinmetall / Waffenfabrik Solothurn
Discontinued: 1940
Notes
Solothurn served as Rheinmetall's foreign workshop to circumvent Treaty of Versailles arms restrictions. The S-18/100 was supplanted by the larger and more powerful S-18/1000 chambered in 20x138mmB.
Background
Because the Treaty of Versailles barred Germany from developing heavy weapons, Rheinmetall quietly acquired the Swiss firm Waffenfabrik Solothurn to design and build cannon and anti-tank weapons abroad, beyond the reach of Allied inspectors.