Fact Check: The Swedish army's handgun used prior to the year 1900 was designated "Revolver m/1896".

The Claim: "The Swedish army's handgun used prior to the year 1900 was designated 'Revolver m/1896'."

Introduction

The assertion that the Swedish army's handgun used before 1900 was designated "Revolver m/1896" raises questions about the accuracy of historical firearm designations and the timeline of military equipment. This claim suggests a specific model designation that may not align with established historical records.

What We Know

1. Historical Context of Swedish Firearms: The Swedish military has a documented history of various firearms, including revolvers, prior to 1900. The Revolver m/1863 and the Revolver m/1884 are known models that were in use during this period. The m/1863 was based on a design by Casimir Lefaucheux, while the m/1884 was a solid-frame revolver adopted by the Swedish Navy 45.

2. The m/1896 Designation: The designation "m/1896" is primarily associated with the Swedish Mauser rifle, not a handgun. The Mauser m/1896 was adopted as a military rifle and is well-documented in various sources, including Wikipedia and firearm history blogs 17. There is no credible evidence or historical documentation indicating that a handgun was designated as "Revolver m/1896" prior to 1900.

3. List of Firearms Before 1900: A comprehensive list of firearms produced before the 20th century does not include a "Revolver m/1896" among the notable models, suggesting that such a designation may not exist in historical records 2.

Analysis

The claim that the Swedish army used a "Revolver m/1896" prior to 1900 lacks support from credible historical sources. The following points highlight the critical evaluation of the available evidence:

• Source Reliability: The sources consulted include Wikipedia entries and specialized firearm history websites. While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point, it is important to cross-reference with more authoritative sources. The site "gotavapen.se" is dedicated to Swedish firearms and provides detailed historical accounts, which do not mention a "Revolver m/1896" 4.

• Potential Bias: Some sources, such as blogs and forums, may contain personal opinions or anecdotal evidence rather than verified historical facts. For instance, the "Kommando Blog" focuses on military history but may not have the rigorous citation standards of academic or historical publications 7.

• Methodological Concerns: The absence of a documented "Revolver m/1896" in historical records raises questions about the methodology used to establish this claim. Without primary sources or official military records confirming the existence of such a handgun, the assertion remains unverified.

• Contradicting Evidence: The historical record clearly identifies the m/1863 and m/1884 revolvers as the primary handguns used by the Swedish military before 1900. This contradicts the claim regarding the m/1896 designation, further suggesting that the claim may be erroneous or based on confusion with the rifle designation.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the Swedish army's handgun used prior to 1900 was designated "Revolver m/1896" is false. Key evidence supporting this verdict includes the established historical context of Swedish firearms, which identifies the m/1863 and m/1884 as the primary revolvers in use during that period. Furthermore, the designation "m/1896" is associated with the Swedish Mauser rifle, not a handgun, and there is no credible documentation to support the existence of a "Revolver m/1896."

It is important to note that while the evidence is compelling, the investigation is limited to available historical records and sources. The absence of a documented "Revolver m/1896" suggests that the claim may stem from confusion or misinformation rather than a verified historical fact. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consult multiple sources when assessing historical claims.

Sources

1. Swedish Mauser - Wikipedia. Link
2. List of firearms before the 20th century - Wikipedia. Link
3. Nagant M1895 - Wikipedia. Link
4. Swedish military pistols and revolvers 1863 - 1988 - gotavapen.se. Link
5. PDF Swedish Military Pistols & Revolvers - V.g.c.a. Link
6. Swedish Militaria Archive. Link
7. The Swedish M/1896 Mauser - The Kommando Blog. Link
8. Catastrophic Failure - Swedish Mauser m/1896 - Cast Boolits. Link
9. History of WWI Primer 124: Swedish Mauser 1896 Documentary. Link
10. M96 production volume by dates - Gunboards Forums. Link