Lahti L-39

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Lahti L-39
A Lahti L-39 anti-tank rifle.
Type	Semi-automatic anti-tank rifle anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin	Finland
Service history
In service	1939–1960 (–1988)
Used by	Finland
Wars	Winter War Continuation War Lapland War
Production history
Designed	1939
Manufacturer	Valtion Kivääritehdas (VKT)
Produced	1939–1944
No. built	~1,906
Variants	L-39/44 anti-aircraft
Specifications
Mass	49.5 kg (109 lb)
Length	2,200 mm (87 in)
Barrel length	51.2 in (1,300 mm)
Cartridge	20×138mmB
Caliber	20 mm (0.79 in)
Action	Gas-operated
Rate of fire	Max. 30/min
Muzzle velocity	800 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
Feed system	10 round box magazine

The Lahti L-39 is a Finnish 20 mm anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It had excellent accuracy, penetration and range, but its size made transportation difficult. It was nicknamed "Norsupyssy" ("Elephant Gun"), and as tanks developed armor too thick for the Lahti to penetrate, its uses switched to long range sniping, tank harassment and with the L-39/44 fully automatic variant, employment as an improvised anti-aircraft weapon.