Bofors 25 mm M/32

The Bofors 25 mm M/32 was a Swedish- designed and built light anti-aircraft gun that was used aboard ships of the Swedish Navy during the Second World War.

Bofors 25 mm M/32
Bofors 25 mm automatic cannon M/32 on a Swedish submarine.
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originSweden
Service history
Used bySweden
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerBofors
Designed1932
ManufacturerBofors
Produced1932–1945
VariantsM/38 25×187 mm R[1]
Specifications
MassSingle: 570 kg (1,260 lb)
Twin: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb)
Barrel length1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) L/64[2]
ShellFixed QF 25×205 mm R
Shell weight.25 kg (8.8 oz)
Caliber25 mm (0.98 in)[1]
ActionLong-recoil
RecoilHydro-spring
CarriageSingle or twin fixed pedestal mounts[2]
Elevation−5° to 90°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire160 rpm
Muzzle velocity850 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective firing range3.5 km (11,000 ft) AA ceiling
Maximum firing range5.6 km (18,000 ft) Horizontal range
Feed system6-round clips

History

The development of Bofors first automatic weapons began in 1925 when the Navy requested the development of a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. In 1928 the Navy requested a new 40 mm AA gun and a 25 mm AA gun which was produced in parallel and known as the M/32.[2]

Design
A twin M/32 mount aboard HSwMS Gävle

The M/32 was designed with a barrel 64 calibers in length, fired a 25×205mmR cartridge, at 160–180 rpm and with a muzzle velocity of 850 m/s. Later a shorter version firing a 25×187mmR cartridge was produced in limited numbers. The M/32 looked similar to its larger 40 mm sibling and used the same long-recoil operating system and hydro-spring recoil mechanism. Its feed mechanism consisted of 6-round clips which were held in a vertical frame above the gun breech. Two clips were mounted side by side so that continuous fire could be maintained without the need to pause and change magazines. The clips were in two halves, which split and fell away as the cartridges entered the frames.[2]

The gun was available in fixed single mount, fixed twin mount or on a mobile four-wheeled carriage with twin collapsible outriggers. In addition to fixed pedestal mounts, a retractable gun mount was designed for submarine use. Although available in land mounts it was primarily a naval weapon. At first the 40 mm gun was considered to be too heavy, so preference was given to single and twin mounts of the M/32 aboard ships of the Swedish navy.[2]

  • A single M/32 mount aboard HSwMS Malmö
    A single M/32 mount aboard HSwMS Malmö
  • A single M/32 mount at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.
    A single M/32 mount at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.
  • A twin M/32 at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.
    A twin M/32 at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.
  • A twin M/32 at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.
    A twin M/32 at Vaxholm Fortress, Sweden.

See also

Notes
  1. "21-29 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-04-07. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  2. "BOFORS AUTOMATIC CANNON". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-12-28. Retrieved 2017-09-20.

Bibliography
  • Gander, T 1990, The 40mm Bofors Gun, 2nd edn, Patrick Stephens, Wellingborough, Eng.
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