Drum-Fed LMG for Chinese Warlords: the Finnish LS-26/31

Duration: 10:12

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After the Finnish Defense Forces adopted the LS26 light machine gun, Aimo Lahti and the Tikkakoski factory continued to work on further developing it. They designed a 75-round drum for antiaircraft use, and built 50 trials examples in 1931. The design used a specially cut receiver of fit the drums, but also had an adapter to allow use of the original LS26 box magazines.

The Finnish military turned down the new design, but there was export interest from Lithuania and China. China actually placed an order for 30,000, chambered for the 8mm Mauser cartridge. Only about 1,200 were shipped before the Japanese government persuaded the Finnish government to cut off exports, as Japan was fighting in China at the time.

There was actually some use of the LS26/31 in the Winter War. About 30 of the trials guns remained at Tikkakoski in 1939, and they were pressed into service following the Soviet invasion. They were used until the available drum magazines were all lost or destroyed, and then had their box magazine adapters permanently attached and continued in service as standard LS26 guns.