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 was developed in response to Sweden's deficiency in anti-tank weaponry. This assertion implies a direct correlation between military needs and the creation of this specific cartridge. To evaluate this claim, we will explore the historical context of the 8x63 mm cartridge, its intended uses, and the military situation in Sweden during its development.

2. What We Know

The 8x63 mm cartridge, officially known as the 8 mm patron m/32, was introduced in the early 1930s. It was designed for use in Swedish heavy and medium machine guns, particularly the Kulspruta m/36 and m/39 models, which were adaptations of the Browning M1917 machine gun 12. The cartridge features a bottlenecked design and was intended to provide a more powerful alternative to the existing 6.5x55 mm cartridge used by the Swedish military at the time 4.

The Swedish military did face challenges regarding anti-tank capabilities during the interwar period and World War II. Reports indicate that Sweden acquired German K98k rifles in 7.9x58 mm, which were designated as anti-tank rifles (Pansargevar m/39) 3. However, the 8x63 mm cartridge was primarily developed for machine guns rather than as a direct response to a lack of anti-tank guns.

3. Analysis

Source Evaluation

• Wikipedia (Sources 1 and 4): While Wikipedia can provide a good starting point, it is important to note that the information is compiled from various contributors and may not always be rigorously verified. The references listed in the articles should be checked for reliability.

• Gotavapen.se (Source 3): This site specializes in Swedish military history and firearms, providing detailed historical context. However, it may have a bias towards promoting Swedish military heritage, which could influence the presentation of facts.

• Gunboards Forums (Source 5): This forum contains user-generated content, which can vary in reliability. The information presented may reflect personal opinions rather than established historical facts.

• The Swedish Military Ammunition Site (Sources 6 and 9): This site appears to be a dedicated resource for Swedish military ammunition, but the lack of author credentials raises questions about the accuracy and depth of the information provided.

• Forgotten Weapons (Source 8): This source is generally well-regarded for its focus on historical firearms, but it is still essential to cross-reference the information with primary sources or scholarly articles.

Methodology and Evidence

The claim that the 8x63 mm cartridge was created specifically due to a lack of anti-tank guns lacks direct evidence from primary military documents or historical analyses. While the cartridge was indeed used in anti-tank roles, it was primarily designed for machine guns. The historical context indicates that Sweden was exploring various military solutions during the interwar period, including the acquisition of foreign weaponry, rather than solely relying on the development of the 8x63 mm cartridge.

Conflicting Information

Some sources suggest that the 8x63 mm cartridge was a response to the need for more powerful ammunition, while others emphasize its role in machine guns rather than anti-tank applications. The existence of anti-tank rifles in other calibers during the same period complicates the narrative that the 8x63 mm was a direct solution to a lack of anti-tank capabilities.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly False

The claim that the 8x63 mm cartridge was created specifically due to Sweden's lack of anti-tank guns is mostly false. The evidence indicates that while the cartridge was indeed utilized in anti-tank roles, its primary design purpose was for use in machine guns. Historical records do not support a direct causal relationship between the development of this cartridge and a deficiency in anti-tank weaponry.

It is important to note that the Swedish military was actively seeking various solutions to enhance its capabilities during the interwar period, including the acquisition of foreign weapons. This context suggests a more complex military strategy rather than a singular response to a lack of anti-tank guns.

However, the available evidence is not exhaustive, and there may be nuances in military documentation that are not fully captured in the sources reviewed. The interpretation of historical events can vary, and some conflicting information exists regarding the cartridge's intended use.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple sources when assessing historical claims.

5. Sources

1. 8×63mm patron m/32 - Wikipedia. Link
2. Kulspruta m/39 - Wikipedia. Link
3. Swedish rifles - Gev m/39 and m/40 - gotavapen.se. Link
4. 8×63mm patron m/32 | Military Wiki. Link
5. A rare Swedish 98K in 8x63 - Gunboards Forums. Link
6. The Swedish Military Ammunition Site. Link
7. Swedens K98 Rifles - K98k Forum. Link
8. Swedish Kulspruta m/36 - Forgotten Weapons. Link
9. The Swedish Military Ammunition Site. Link
10. Hotchkiss machinegun and Schwarzlose Machine gun in Sweden - gotavapen.se. Link