Husqvarna Swedish M/40 M40 Lahti 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1941-1946 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2097
LSB#: 210929FW15
Make: Husqvarna
Model: Lahti Pistol Model M40
Serial Number: 24420
Year of Manufacture: 1941-1946
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the grip frame is marked “24420”. The left side of the barrel extension is marked “HUSQVARNA VAPENFABRIKS A. B. / 24420”. The top rear of the frame is marked with a crowned “S.S.” inspection mark. The top-rear of the bolt is marked “24420” and with a crown inspection mark. The crown inspection mark is also on the right of the barrel extension in front of the ejection port, the top of the barrel at the rear, the takedown lever, and the right of the trigger.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a vertical rear face that is dovetailed into a stepped, banded base on the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped “U” notch integral to the back of the barrel extension.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black checkered plastic with a crowned Husqvarna logo on both sides. The grips have a few light nicks and handling marks, the most notable nicks are on the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore and some stubborn fouling including copper fouling which should clear up with a patient cleaning.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There is finish wear at the leading edges of the barrel and frame, consistent with holster use. The grip areas show handling wear. The action has operational wear. The barrel extension’s left frame rail has a small, thin crack at the rear edge of the hole used for installing the accelerator. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol appears in Very Good condition but rates Fair due to the crack in the barrel extension’s frame rail.
Mechanics: The barrel extension’s left frame rail has a small, thin crack at the rear edge of the hole used for installing the accelerator. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a brown leather flap-holster, magazine load assist, cleaning rod, and a total of three 8-round magazines. The holster has moderate wear with scattered scuffing, scrapes, verdigris at metal fixtures and intact stitching, in about Good condition. The magazines have operational wear, infrequent minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and strong springs, showing scattered verdigris residue from the holster, in Very Good condition. One magazine has “383” hand-scribed on the right at the bottom.
Our Assessment: This is an interesting looking pistol with many Luger similarities, and is a direct descendant of the Bergmann-Bayard M1910 pistol. They were designed in Finland to work reliably in extreme cold weather. Husqvarna began production in 1941 after acquiring a license from the Finns, and produced a total run of about 80,000 pistols. This pistol is one of the 60,000 or so produced for the Swedish armed forces. The pistol is from early-mid production, having had the loaded chamber indicator on the top of its barrel extension removed and the hole for it filled in, but still having an accelerator, a design feature that was later dropped from this model. It appears in Very Good overall condition with about 85% of its original finish remaining, but rates Fair due to a crack in the left rail of the barrel extension, a fairly common problem on this model. The grips are checkered black plastic and show minor handling wear. The pistol also comes with a nice assortment of accessories. This pistol should have interest by military arms collectors, especially collectors of Swedish firearms. If you can repair or replace the barrel extension, it also should still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!