Luger & Lahti Similarity ?

The L-35 was designed by Aimo Lahti who has also designed the famous submachine gun SUOMI M-31.


It was designed in 1935 and it became the official pistol for the Finnish armed forces. The L-35 was originally planned in both 7.65 mm and 9.00 mm caliber, but the former remained a prototype.


The Lahti pistol gave a good service in the Winter War, when it was found to be reliable even in very low temperatures.


http://www.winterwar.com/Weapons/FinSmallArms/FinPistols.htm


At first look, the Lahti pistol does have a lot of resemblance to the Luger, but actually the mechanism is quite different. The L-35 fires from a closed breech, the bolt being unlocked after a brief rearward travel and going on to complete the usual cycle. The mechanism incorporates a bolt accelerator-, a curved arm which is designed to increase the rearward velocity of the bolt.


The L-35 was also used by the Swedish army, where it was called the M-40, and it was manufactured by Husqvarna in Sweden. The Finnish manufacturer was Valtion Kiv�¤�¤ritehdas VKT (State Rifle Factory) .