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).

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.

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.