Lahti-Saloranta M/26

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	Weapon: Lahti-Saloranta M/26 Type: Light Machine Gun Country of Origin: Finland Year Adopted: 1926 Caliber: 7.62x53mmR Action: Fully Automatic - Recoil Overall Length (mm): 1000.0 Weight (kg): 12.00 Effective Range (m): 1500

The Lahti-Saloranta M/26 Light Machine Gun was designed by Finnish firearms engineer Aimo Lahti in collaboration with Lieutenant Saloranta in the mid-1920s. Intended as the primary automatic support weapon for the Finnish Army, the M/26 was chambered in 7.62x54mmR, the standard caliber for Finland at the time. The weapon featured a short-recoil operation with a tilting bolt mechanism and utilized a 20-round detachable box magazine. Though innovative, its complex machining and heavy weight for a light machine gun (around 9 kg unloaded) made it challenging to handle in prolonged engagements.

Production of the M/26 began in 1927 at the state-owned Tikkakoski factory, with approximately 5,000 units manufactured by the outbreak of the Winter War in 1939. While it was the standard light machine gun of the Finnish Army, its production was relatively low due to high manufacturing costs and time-consuming assembly. In combat, the M/26 faced criticism for its tendency to jam under adverse conditions, particularly in Finland's harsh winter environment, despite its sturdy construction and accurate fire.

The Lahti-Saloranta M/26 saw extensive service during the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944) against the Soviet Union. Its notoriety stemmed from its dual reputation: on one hand, it was praised for its precision when well-maintained, but on the other, it was often maligned by soldiers for its unreliability and heavy weight. Over time, the M/26 was phased out in favor of other light machine guns, such as the captured Soviet DP-27, which proved more dependable in Finnish service. Despite its flaws, the M/26 remains a notable chapter in Finland's early efforts to develop domestic military technology.