Fact Check: The Swedish cartridge 8x63 mm was created due to Sweden's lack of anti-tank guns.

The Claim: "The Swedish cartridge 8x63 mm was created due to Sweden's lack of anti-tank guns."

1. Introduction

The claim suggests that the 8x63 mm cartridge, known as the patron m/32, was developed in response to Sweden's deficiency in anti-tank weaponry. This assertion implies a direct correlation between military needs and the development of specific ammunition. To evaluate this claim, we will explore the historical context of the 8x63 mm cartridge, its intended uses, and the state of Sweden's military capabilities during the time of its introduction.

2. What We Know

The 8x63 mm patron m/32 was introduced in 1932 primarily for use in Swedish heavy and medium machine guns, such as the Kulspruta m/39 17. This cartridge was designed to fit in the Browning machine gun platform, which was already in use by the Swedish military. The 8x63 mm cartridge is characterized by its bottlenecked design and was intended for combat situations rather than training 4.

Historically, Sweden faced significant military challenges in the interwar period, particularly as tensions rose in Europe. The country did not possess a dedicated anti-tank gun until the late 1930s, relying instead on other forms of weaponry, including machine guns that could potentially serve in an anti-tank role 3. The Kulspruta m/39, which utilized the 8x63 mm cartridge, was versatile and could be adapted for various combat scenarios, including anti-aircraft operations 2.

3. Analysis

The claim that the 8x63 mm cartridge was created specifically due to a lack of anti-tank guns requires careful scrutiny. While it is true that Sweden did not have dedicated anti-tank guns at the time, the development of the 8x63 mm cartridge appears to be more closely related to the need for a powerful round for machine guns rather than a direct response to anti-tank deficiencies.

1. Source Reliability:

   • The Wikipedia entry on the 8x63 mm patron m/32 provides a broad overview of the cartridge's specifications and historical context but may lack comprehensive citations and expert verification, which can lead to potential biases or inaccuracies 1.
   • The Kulspruta m/39 article also offers insights into the military applications of the cartridge but does not explicitly link its creation to anti-tank needs 2.
   • Gotavapen.se, a site dedicated to Swedish firearms history, discusses the military's procurement strategies and the use of various rifles, including the K98k, but does not provide a definitive connection between the cartridge and anti-tank capabilities 3.

2. Conflicting Information:

   • Some sources suggest that the 8x63 mm cartridge was primarily developed for machine guns and not specifically for anti-tank purposes 57. This indicates that while the cartridge could be used in an anti-tank role, its primary design intention was not for that purpose.
   • Other discussions, such as those found in forums, mention that Sweden's military strategy included adapting existing weaponry for various roles, which complicates the narrative that the cartridge was solely a response to a lack of anti-tank guns 68.

3. Methodological Concerns:

   • The claim lacks specific historical documentation or military records that directly link the development of the 8x63 mm cartridge to the absence of anti-tank guns. Additional primary sources, such as military archives or official documents from the Swedish military, would be beneficial to substantiate or refute this claim.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that the 8x63 mm cartridge was created due to Sweden's lack of anti-tank guns is partially true. Evidence indicates that while Sweden did not have dedicated anti-tank guns at the time of the cartridge's introduction, the primary purpose of the 8x63 mm was for use in machine guns rather than as a direct response to anti-tank deficiencies. The cartridge's design was influenced by the need for a powerful round suitable for various combat scenarios, including potential anti-tank applications.

However, the lack of definitive historical documentation linking the cartridge's development specifically to anti-tank needs introduces uncertainty. The available sources do not provide a clear consensus, and the narrative is complicated by Sweden's military strategy of adapting existing weaponry for multiple roles.

Readers should remain cautious and critically evaluate information regarding military history, as interpretations can vary based on the sources consulted and the context in which claims are made.

5. Sources

1. 8×63mm patron m/32 - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8%C3%9763mm_patron_m/32
2. Kulspruta m/39 - Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulspruta_m/39
3. Swedish rifles - Gev m/39 and m/40 - gotavapen.se. Retrieved from http://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/gev39_40.htm
4. The Swedish Military Ammunition Site - amkat.se. Retrieved from https://www.amkat.se/index.php?Env=Ammo&Menu_A=30&Menu_B=110&Menu_C=10&Menu_Value_A=8x63&Menu_Value_B=Ball&Menu_Name=Ball
5. 8×63mm patron m/32 | Military Wiki | Fandom. Retrieved from https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/8%C3%9763mm_patron_m/32
6. A rare Swedish 98K in 8x63 - Gunboards Forums. Retrieved from https://www.gunboards.com/threads/a-rare-swedish-98k-in-8x63.1245270/
7. 8 x 63 : [S] ; 8 mm Swedish M1932 - Imperial War Museums. Retrieved from https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30026381
8. 8X63 Swedish? - Gunboards Forums. Retrieved from https://www.gunboards.com/threads/8x63-swedish.316990/
9. 8×63mm patron m/32 | Vietnam War | Fandom. Retrieved from https://vietnamwar.fandom.com/wiki/8%C3%9763mm_patron_m/32
10. Gev m/39 and m/40. The Swedish K98 Rifles. Retrieved from http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/gev40/g39g40.htm