9x20

9x20

9x20 or 9mm Browning Long was used for Pistol m/07 and submachine gun m/37. The
cartridge was originally developed by Browning for their new pistol Browning m/03. The
pistol was initially made by Fabrique Nationale d’arms de guerre (FN) in Herstal,
Belgium from 1907 until 1914 when the German Army occupied the factory. A total of
58,442 pistols were made by FN. Cut off from FN by the war, licensed production was
shifted to Husqvarna Vapenfabrik where during 1917-1942 an additional 89,231 were
manufactured for the Swedish military (not including civilian production).

m/1907 Pistol (Armémuseum AM.035534)


In 1937 the Swedish military adopted the highly successful Finnish KP/-31 “Suomi”
submachine gun as the Kpist m/37 in the 9x20mm caliber. The m/37 was used
for only a short period of time in the 9x20mm caliber before it was converted over to the
more universal 9x19mm Parabellum caliber for purposes of compatibility. The 9x19mm
cartridge is a bit stronger than the 9x20mm but not significantly so. Production of the m/37,
and the later m/37-39 9x19mm conversion, was by Husqvarna Vapenfabrik where
approximately 35,000 weapons were reportedly produced.

m/1937 Submachine Gun (Armémuseum AM.029753)


The evolution and history of the 9x20mm cartridge in Swedish service can be found in
four generations:


-The original ammunition production for the m/07 pistol after adoption was made under
contract with FN until production could be established in Sweden.


-As best as can understood from the evidence found today from cartridge headstamps
and boxes, Swedish manufacturing began at Marieberg in1910. While it appears that
the early Swedish ammunition was made to almost the same specification as that
of FN, some differences from the original may have existed in both the primers and
the powders.


-There were extensive attempts during the 1940’s to gain better accuracy with the m/07
pistol through changes of the barrel’s bore diameter as well as changes in projectile
design and diameters. Initial tests showed that changes in the bore dimensions
over-stressed the weapon and future testing was focused on projectile dimensions. The
testing showed that the bore dimensions in comparison to the projectiles diameter were a
critical factor. The best results in accuracy were not with brand new barrels, but with used
barrels where the bore diameter had increased by 0,01-0,02 mm. As a result of these
tests, ammunition manufactured after 1947 has been found to have much better accuracy
than the older ammunition.


-In the late 1960’s or early 1970’s (the exact time has not been established) finally, there
was an update to the cartridge specification with the adoption of non-corrosive primers.
The boxes for this late production are easily recognized as being modern.

Overall, the 9x20 ammunition boxes may be found in two basic designs as well as many
label variations. The only thing in common with the boxes are that they are all packed with
28 rounds in 4 rows of 7 cartridges. The capacity of the m/07 pistols magazine is 7 rounds
so this allows for the filling of 4 magazines.


In bulk quantities,105 of the old style 28 round boxes were packed in a m/98 ammunition
crate (Ptrlåda m/98) for a total of 2940 rounds. In later service, 28 of the modern brown
boxes with white plastic inserts are packed in a soft plastic carrier (battle pack). Two
carriers are fitted in the 907 ammunition container (Ptrlåda 907) for a total of 840
rounds

While the m/07 pistol was replaced in 1940 by the m/40 pistol, the m/07 remained in
service as a substitute standard issue for many support and reserve units. When the
m/40 was removed from service for safety reasons in January 1991, some m/07 pistols
still remaining in inventory were reissued to replace the m/40 until the newly adopted P88
(Glock 17) pistol was available. The pistol m/07 and ammunition was finally declared
obsolete in1996 after almost 90 years in Swedish service.