Fact Check: Swedish army trials showed that using the 6.5x55 mm cartridge in machine guns would require a change in machine gun doctrine.

The Claim: "Swedish army trials showed that using the 6.5x55 mm cartridge in machine guns would require a change in machine gun doctrine."

1. Introduction

The claim suggests that trials conducted by the Swedish army indicated a need to alter machine gun doctrine due to the use of the 6.5x55 mm cartridge. This assertion raises questions about the historical context, the nature of the trials, and the implications for military doctrine.

2. What We Know

The 6.5x55 mm cartridge, also known as the 6.5 mm patron m/94, was adopted by the Swedish military in the late 19th century. It is a smokeless powder, rimless bottleneck cartridge that has been used in various firearms, including rifles and machine guns 1.

Historically, the Swedish army transitioned from the 6.5x55 mm cartridge to the NATO-standard 7.62x51 mm cartridge, driven by a desire for standardization with other NATO forces 3. This transition reflects broader trends in military logistics and interoperability rather than a direct result of trials indicating a need for doctrinal change.

The trials involving the 6.5x55 mm cartridge included extensive testing of rifles, such as the Krag Jørgensen, which were subjected to rigorous conditions to assess their performance 2. However, specific references to trials that directly led to a change in machine gun doctrine are not clearly documented in the available sources.

3. Analysis

The sources available provide a mixed picture regarding the claim.

• Source Evaluation:

  • Wikipedia 1 is generally a good starting point for information but should be approached with caution due to its collaborative nature, which can lead to inaccuracies. It does provide a foundational understanding of the cartridge's history.
  • Gunboards Forums 2 offers anecdotal evidence about trials but lacks rigorous sourcing and may reflect personal opinions rather than established facts.
  • Gotavapen.se 358 is a specialized site focusing on Swedish military firearms and provides detailed historical context. However, it may have a bias towards promoting Swedish military history and technology, which could color its presentation of facts.
  • Forgotten Weapons 47 is a reputable source for historical firearms information, but its articles often focus on specific weapons rather than broader military doctrine, which may limit its relevance to the claim.

• Methodological Concerns: The claim lacks specific details about the trials that purportedly led to a doctrinal change. Without concrete evidence or documentation of such trials, it is difficult to assess the validity of the claim. Additionally, the transition from the 6.5x55 mm cartridge to the 7.62 NATO standard suggests that logistical and operational considerations may have played a more significant role than doctrinal changes based on trial outcomes.

• Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those focused on promoting specific firearms or military history, may have inherent biases that affect their objectivity. For instance, sites dedicated to Swedish military history may emphasize the strengths of the 6.5x55 mm cartridge without adequately addressing its limitations or the reasons behind the transition to NATO standards.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that Swedish army trials indicated a need to change machine gun doctrine due to the use of the 6.5x55 mm cartridge remains unverified. The evidence reviewed suggests that while the 6.5x55 mm cartridge was historically significant, there is insufficient documentation to support the assertion that trials specifically necessitated a doctrinal change in machine guns.

The available sources provide a mix of historical context and anecdotal evidence, but they do not conclusively link trial outcomes to changes in military doctrine. Furthermore, the transition to the NATO-standard 7.62x51 mm cartridge appears to be driven more by logistical considerations than by the results of any specific trials.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the evidence at hand, as the lack of concrete documentation regarding the trials leaves room for uncertainty. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate the information presented and consider the context and potential biases of the sources consulted.

5. Sources

1. 6.5×55mm Swedish - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5%C3%9755mm_Swedish
2. The evolution of the 6,5x55 cartridge | Gunboards Forums. https://www.gunboards.com/threads/the-evolution-of-the-6-5x55-cartridge.1253220/
3. Swedish military assault rifles 1945 - 1990, Ak4 and Ak 5. https://gotavapen.se/gota/ak/ak4_5/ak5_history.htm
4. The Swedish m/21 BAR in 6.5x55mm - Forgotten Weapons. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/the-swedish-m-21-bar-in-6-5x55mm/
5. The Swedish BAR light machineguns - gotavapen.se. https://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/kg/swedish_kg2.htm
6. Mussolini Gives A Damn About The Quality Of His Military. https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/mussolini-gives-a-damn-about-the-quality-of-his-military.310525/post-8931010
7. Ask Ian – What Was the Best WW2 Rifle Cartridge? https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ask-ian-what-was-the-best-ww2-rifle-cartridge/
8. The Light Machine Guns of Sweden. - gotavapen.se. https://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/kg/swedish_kg1.htm
9. The Swedish Military Ammunition Site - amkat.se. https://www.amkat.se/index.php?Env=Text-2&Menu_A=30&Menu_B=60&Menu_C=0&Menu_Value_A=6,5x55
10. Replacing the British Army rifle | Page 2. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/replacing-the-british-army-rifle.33451/page-2