Fact Check: The Swedish army's latest handgun used prior to the year 1900 was designated "Revolver m/1889".

The Claim: "The Swedish army's latest handgun used prior to the year 1900 was designated 'Revolver m/1889.'"

Introduction

The assertion that the Swedish army's last handgun prior to 1900 was the "Revolver m/1889" invites scrutiny, particularly regarding the timeline and designation of Swedish military handguns. This claim suggests that the m/1889 was the final model in use before the turn of the century, which requires verification against historical records of Swedish military firearms.

What We Know

1. Revolver m/1887: The Swedish army adopted the Revolver m/1887, which was based on a design by Emile Nagant. This revolver was in service until 1907 when it was replaced by the m/1903 pistol, designed by John Browning and chambered in 9mm Browning Long 128.

2. Revolver m/1889: The m/1889 revolver is less documented in the available sources, but it is noted that the Swedish army did experiment with various revolver designs around this time. The m/1889 was reportedly a model that led to the development of the m/1892, which was produced in larger quantities 7.

3. Service Timeline: The m/1887 revolver remained the official sidearm until 1907, indicating that it was the primary handgun in use during the late 19th century. The m/1889, while recognized, does not appear to have been the last model in service before 1900 129.

4. Historical Context: The late 19th century was a period of transition for military firearms, with many countries, including Sweden, moving from revolvers to more modern semi-automatic pistols. The m/1887 was part of this evolution, and the m/1889 appears to be a transitional model that did not achieve the same level of adoption as its predecessor 3610.

Analysis

The claim regarding the m/1889 as the last handgun used by the Swedish army before 1900 raises several questions:

• Source Reliability: The sources consulted include historical documents, military archives, and firearms enthusiasts' sites. While some sources, such as the VGCA articles 12, are well-researched and provide detailed historical context, others, like forum posts 5, may lack rigorous verification and could reflect personal opinions rather than established facts.

• Conflicting Information: The m/1887 is consistently cited as the primary revolver in service until 1907, while the m/1889 is mentioned in a more ambiguous context. This discrepancy suggests that while the m/1889 may have been recognized, it did not replace the m/1887 as the standard issue revolver 469.

• Methodology Concerns: The historical documentation surrounding military firearms can often be incomplete or subject to interpretation. The lack of comprehensive records on the m/1889's adoption and service may indicate that it was not widely used or recognized as a primary model, which complicates the claim's validity.

• Need for Additional Information: To further assess the claim, it would be beneficial to access military procurement records from the late 19th century, detailed inventories of Swedish army equipment, and contemporary accounts from military personnel regarding the use of these revolvers.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The assertion that the "Revolver m/1889" was the last handgun used by the Swedish army prior to 1900 is not supported by the available evidence. The Revolver m/1887 is consistently documented as the official sidearm until 1907, while the m/1889 appears to have been a lesser-known model that did not achieve the same level of service or recognition.

While the m/1889 may have been part of the Swedish army's experimentation with revolver designs, it did not replace the m/1887 as the standard issue handgun. The historical context indicates a transition in military firearms during this period, but the evidence does not substantiate the claim regarding the m/1889's status.

It is important to note that historical documentation can be incomplete, and the lack of comprehensive records on the m/1889's service complicates the assessment of this claim. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the nuances of historical claims, as well as the limitations of the available evidence.

Sources

1. PDF THE SWEDISH m/1887 REVOLVER - V.G.C.A
2. PDF Swedish Military Pistols & Revolvers - V.g.c.a
3. Swedish military pistols and revolvers 1863 - 1988 - gotavapen.se
4. Gothia Arms Historical Society - gotavapen.se
5. O.T. - Swedish m/1887 Nagant production info - Gunboards Forums
6. The Swedish pistol m/1907 or Browning M1903 i 9 mm Browning Long
7. GAF M1889 Series Revolver Page - grandarmyofthefrontier.org
8. Swedish Nagant Revolver - NRA Museum
9. Rifleman Q&A: Swedish Nagant Revolvers
10. Swedish revolver m/1887 in 7.5 mm - gotavapen.se