Description
Mint, matching & RARE 1st Series with full rig!
Whilst many collectors may have never heard to the Lahti L-35, it’s probably because only around 9,000 pistols were ever made!
Many do know what these are & would sell their firstborn for one of these unique semi-automatic pistol designed by Aimo Lahti that was produced in Finland between 1935 & 1952. Designed to be manufactured autonomously in Finland, the pistol was used throughout the Winter War & Continuation War (WW2).
Being a Series 1, this pistol was made during WW2 & is one of the first actual production series finally delivered during Winter War. This production series included about 2,600 pistols & this was delivered by June of 1941 according to available records.
This 1st production series included serial numbers around 1100 – 3700 & are identifiable from slide structure which still has details needlessly machined for parts (slide recuperator) that were left out after improvements introduced after series O & the distinctive “curve” in top of the slide to the rear.
Following the independence of Finland from Russia in 1917 & the defeat of the Finnish Red Guard during the Finnish Civil War, Finland began the process of replacing its obsolete Russian armament. The efforts to modernize Finland’s arsenal included the replacement of Russian Nagant M1895 revolvers with the Spanish Ruby Pistols purchased from France in 1919 & later the German P08 Luger purchased from Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken in 1923.
Finland became intent on autonomously producing its own weaponry with the Finnish Volunteer Guards opening the arsenal, Suojeluskuntain ase- ja Konepaja Oy (SAKO) in 1921 & the Government of Finland opening the Valtion Kivääritehdas (VKT) in Jyväskylä in 1929. The Finnish Army soon called for a domestically produced pistol that could withstand Finland’s harsh winters so design began in 1929 under the supervision of Aimo Lahti & a patent was granted for the M1935 Lahti pistol in 1935.
The Lahti was originally designed to fire stockpiled 7.65×21mm Parabellum & 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition but was ultimately produced in 9mm only. The Lahti pistol became formally adopted in 1935 by the Finnish armed forces as the Pistooli L-35. Production was slow for widespread use with only 500 pistols completed before production was halted by the start of the Winter War. Production continued in 1941 with about 4,500 pistols manufactured before the production was interrupted again by the Continuation War.
Final production of Finnish Lahti pistols resumed again in 1946 with around just 9,000 completed before 1951.
The Lahti is a recoil operated, single-action, locked breech firearm fitted with a concealed hammer. The pistol itself is well sealed from dirt & ice but is heavy by modern standards. A manual safety was provided by a lever on the left-hand side of the pistol.
One of the unusual aspects of the Lahti was the bolt accelerator. The addition of a bolt accelerator to the Lahti pistol was to ensure the performance of the pistol in arctic conditions in Finland. Bolt accelerators are more commonly found in machine guns to increase the rate of fire. The bolt accelerator in the Lahti works by having a crank lever strike the bolt of the pistol as it unlocks from firing. This thrusts the bolt mechanically instead of relying on the momentum of firing alone to move the bolt back. The addition of the bolt accelerator was not just to assist with use in Arctic conditions but to allow for the use of the more powerful 9mm sub machine gun ammunition. This resulted in the pistol being significantly heavier than its counterparts which was one of the complaints from users.
A Swedish copy was manufactured under license by Sweden called the Husqvarna m/40 which saw extensive service with the Swedish military well until the 1980’s. These are excellent guns but worth a percentage of a genuine Lahti L-35.
This pistol is immaculate in every way & comes with the original Finish hardshell holster (not a cheap Swedish m/40 holster), complete with all tools plus it comes with both of the original 2 x magazines.
The holster itself is valuable & rare (especially with all tools) & in great condition.
These rarely come available for sale in Australia in this complete condition & if not sold prior, this will be sent to the US for auction & will no doubt be a popular item!
We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional & are happy for feedback from people who know more than we do.
We think we have described it accurately but please make your decision based on the photos as these form the main description & override all other.
Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an ‘as is’ basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.
We have a pretty unique refund policy on our collectable guns whereby we will refund your money if it is not as described when you receive it. Just let us know before you decide to send it back.
Standard shipping is $55 for all for metro shipping bar WA, otherwise call for a cost to your dealer.
