Bofors 75 mm Mountain Guns

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

This was a Krupp design taken over by Bofors in 1919 and later improved.

The first 75 mm L/20 Mountain Guns were bought in 1922 by KNIL in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia). After trials in 1923 a series of 28 guns were bought and delivered in 1925.

In 1928 Turkey bought 184 pcs of the 75 mm L/20 followed in 1932 by an order for 48 more. Turkey could however not pay for all and at least 72 of these guns werev sold to China where som were captured by the Japanese.

1932 also Persia (Iran) bought 120 pcs of an improded type L/22. In 1936 Persia ordered another 200 pcs of which 50 were delivered before outbreak of WW 2 and the rest in 1946-1950.

In 1932 also Switzerland bought 18 pcs L/22 and the licence rights. The Swiss produced these guns in Waffenfabrik Thun.

Finally Belgium in 1934 bought 20 or 24 pcs of a similar type labeld as Infantry Gun L/24.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

One of the Chinese ex-Turkish guns.

[Ivica]

I have info that Bulgaria also bought Bofors L/22 model. Can you check this?

(48 pieces; Bulgarian designation M.36)

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Originally posted by Ivica
I have info that Bulgaria also bought Bofors L/22 model. Can you check this?

(48 pieces; Bulgarian designation M.36)

Yes, You are right. At least one extant in museum. Different sources give the number 40 and 48 pcs.

Picture: Bulgarian 75 mm L/22 M/36 Bofors Mountain Gun.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Brazil bought 2 in 1926 for trials. No series delivery. Photo extant gun in Rio Arty Museum.

[nuyt]

Stellan, it's Copacabana Fortress...
With some time I'll trace the other one. There must be some depot in Rio.
Caption says they are L28 which must be wrong. L22ish would be more correct.
But what could be correct is designation field gun instead of mountain.

Cheers

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Bofors was not consequent but used L/20 and L/22 for those guns. The Brazil ones were made in 1926 and were most probably of the same type as the 75 mm L/22 KNIL guns.

I think they should be considered Mountain Guns or Pack Guns if they could be transported in parts. L/22 is rather short for a Field Gun.

[nuyt]

You are right, the Belgian field guns were l24 I believe.
What about the carriage, can you see if that's a Pack?

http://www.network54.com/Forum/33033...Rio+de+Janeiro

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

I see no signs of that this should be a pack gun. I however find differences compared with the KNIL guns. On the breech there is written Bofors etc but also - difficult to read - something that could be L/28 - in all cases ?/28. Normally the gun´s individual number should be there.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

I think it is a Field Gun L/28. Bofors made 75 mm guns m/02 for the Swedish Army and they were L/27.