Lahti-Saloranta M/26
Finnish light machine gun known for accuracy but also for jamming and complexity.
The Lahti-Saloranta M/26, also known as the LS/26, is a light machine gun created by designers Aimo Lahti and Arvo Saloranta in 1926. It could fire in both fully automatic and semi-automatic modes. While both 20-round box magazines and 75-round drum magazines were manufactured, the Finnish Army appears to have only used the smaller 20-round version. During the Winter War, each platoon had two squads tasked with providing covering fire for two ten-man rifle squads. Within each of these support squads, one soldier operated the M/26, another served as his assistant, and the rest carried rifles. Soldiers discovered the weapon would jam if the magazine was loaded to its full capacity, so they often removed one round and hoped an officer would not notice.
The M/26 won a Finnish Army competition in 1925, securing its role as the army’s primary light machine gun. Production started in 1927 at the Valtion kivääritehdas (VKT), or State Rifle Factory, and continued until 1942, with over 5,000 units built. In 1937, China ordered 30,000 M/26s chambered for 7.92×57mm Mauser, but only 1,200 were delivered because of Japanese diplomatic pressure.
On the battlefield, the Lahti-Saloranta M/26 was considered heavy, difficult to clean due to its 188 parts, and limited by its magazine capacity. It earned the nickname *Kootut virheet*, meaning "assorted mistakes." However, skilled gunners appreciated its exceptional accuracy, and when oiled properly for winter conditions, the weapon proved very reliable. Because of the problems Finnish troops initially faced, they often preferred the captured Soviet Degtyarev light machine gun, using thousands of them against their former owners. By the summer of 1944, only 3,400 M/26s were at the front, compared to over 9,000 Degtyarevs.
Quick Facts
- Service
- 1930–1970s
- Wars
- Winter War / Second Sino-Japanese War / Continuation War / Lapland War
- Designer
- Aimo Lahti & Arvo Saloranta
- Number
- > 6200
- Length
- 1,109 mm
- Action
- Short-recoil operation
- Origin
- Finland
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Manufacturer
- Valtion kivääritehdas
- Design Date
- 1925
- Cartridge
- 7.62×53mmR & / 7.92×57mm
- Rate
- 450 to 550 round/min
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The M/26 won a Finnish Army competition in 1925 and was adopted as the main light machine gun. Production ran from 1927 to 1942 at the State Rifle Factory, with over 5,000 weapons made. China ordered 30,000 M/26s chambered for 7.92×57mm Mauser in 1937, but only 1,200 were delivered due to Japanese diplomatic pressure.
On the battlefield, the weapon was found to be heavy, hard to clean due to its 188 parts, and lacking in magazine capacity. It was nicknamed 'Kootut virheet' ('assorted mistakes'). However, proficient gunners valued its exceptional accuracy, and with oiling adapted for winter, it proved very reliable. Soldiers discovered it would jam when the magazine was loaded to capacity, so they often removed one round and hoped an officer did not inspect it.
During the Winter War, each platoon had two squads providing covering fire for two ten-man rifle squads. Each squad included one M/26 gunner, one assistant, and the rest carrying rifles. Due to early problems, Finnish troops often preferred the Degtyarev light machine gun when thousands were captured from the Soviets. By summer 1944, only 3,400 M/26s were at the front, compared to over 9,000 Degtyarevs.
Reader's Guide
The Lahti-Saloranta M/26 holds a complex legacy in Finnish military history. It was selected as the army's main light machine gun after winning a 1925 competition, and production spanned 1927 to 1942, yielding over 5,000 units. Despite its official adoption, the weapon faced significant criticism on the battlefield. Soldiers found it heavy, difficult to clean due to its 188 parts, and limited by its magazine capacity. The nickname 'Kootut virheet' ('assorted mistakes') reflected widespread dissatisfaction. A notable reliability issue was jamming when the magazine was loaded to capacity, leading troops to remove one round to avoid malfunctions.
Yet the M/26 was not without merit. Proficient gunners appreciated its exceptional accuracy, and when oiled for winter conditions, it became very reliable. Its role in the Winter War saw it used in squads providing covering fire, with one gunner and an assistant per squad. The weapon's shortcomings, however, led Finnish troops to favor captured Soviet Degtyarev light machine guns whenever possible. By summer 1944, only 3,400 M/26s remained at the front, compared to over 9,000 Degtyarevs. The M/26 also saw limited export: China ordered 30,000 in 1937 but received only 1,200 due to Japanese diplomatic pressure. Overall, the M/26 represents a Finnish design that was accurate but ultimately overshadowed by more practical captured alternatives.
Did You Know?
- The M/26 was nicknamed 'Kootut virheet', meaning 'assorted mistakes'.
- Soldiers often removed one round from the magazine to prevent jamming.
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