Russian propagandists were actually quick to jump on social media and post how NATOs best tanks werent unstoppable.

Of course, no one claimed or even suggested that the Western tanks were invincible miracle weapons.

Tanks have always been vulnerable and always will be vulnerable to anti-tank weapons.

lahti l-39 in the winter war

The Finnish 20 mm anti-tank rifle Lahti L-39, also known as the “elephant gun,” on the front in September of 1941. Image: P. Kaario/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

Scaled down from the original grandiose concepts, the vehicles were still seen as a serious threat.

But then the German military essentially supersized its Mauser bolt-action rifle.

This resulted in the Tankgewehr M1918 (T-Gewehr), also known as the Mauser 13mm anti-tank rifle.

l-39 used as anti-aircraft gun

The 20mm anti-tank rifle L-39, also known as “Norsupyssy,” was also used for anti-aircraft use as shown here in the Continuation War. Image: V.Hollming/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

However, the ordnance from these weapons couldnt exactly keep up with the increased armor on the latest tanks.

It could hardly be described as easy as all had to fight for their independence.

It was determined, not surprisingly, that the 20mm rifle displayed better penetration power.

finish anti-tank crew with lahti l-39

A Finnish anti-tank team in position in the woods along a road during the Continuation War. They are armed with the 20mm Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle. Image: Zilliacus/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

It was put into production in early 1939 at the state-owned Valtion Kivaaritehdas (VKT) facility.

Once it was fully locked, the shooter could then pull the trigger to fire the gun.

It was a rather complicated system, but it proved reliable.

msgt heikki koho with l-39 anti-tank rifle

Master Sgt. Heikki Koho, awarded the tank destroyer badge, is shown with the Finnish L-39 anti-tank rifle in late 1944. Image: Lt .Pauli Myllymäki/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

Instead, it was fitted with a rotating crank lever that was used to pull the bolt back.

It was equipped with standard iron sights that could be calibrated between 200 and 1,400 meters.

Talks between Moscow and Helsinki broke down in November, which resulted in the Winter War.

lahti l-39 rifle demonstrated to command staff

A Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle is demonstrated to Lt. Col. Laaksonen in April 1942. Image: Vänrikki K. Borg/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

The L-39 was among the weapons in the Finnish arsenal that proved quite effective.

Its 20mm explosive projectile was well suited against bunkers and vehicles in supply convoys, and even low-flying aircraft.

In the field, it was typically operated by a two-man team due largely to its heavy weight.

lahti l-39 antitank rifle maintenance

A Finnish 20mm anti-tank rifle L-39 at the 12th Armament Repair Company in 1942. Image: Suvi, Pietilä/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

Both versions remained in use after the end of the war as an anti-helicopter weapon.

By the early stages of the Cold War, the L-39 and L39/44 were largely withdrawn from service.

Buy It for a Franklin?

estonian volunteers train with lahti l-39

In 1944, these Estonian volunteers crew a Finnish Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle. Here, it appears to have been used as an anti-aircraft weapon on a train. Image:SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

Interestingly, the Lahti L-39 was sold as surplus in great numbers in the United States.

l-39 recoil

The Lahti L-39 was a powerful gun that could produce a significant blast and recoil impulse. Here, an assistant gunner is covered with mud after a single shot. Image: Zilliacus/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

teaching finnish soldiers how to use the lahti l-39

Finnish soldiers are trained on the L-39 anti-tank rifle during the Continuation War against the Soviet Union. Image: U.Laukka/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

finnish panzerjager team

During 1941, a Finnish Panzerjäger team carries a Lahti L-39 through a village to set up an ambush for Soviet armor. Image: Borg/SA-Kuva(CC BY 4.0)

lahti-39

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