FM57 rifle
Encyclopedia
The FM1957 is a Swedish prototype
battle rifle
based on the Ljungman Ag m/42
semi-automatic rifle
. Along with the FN FAL
, M14
, Rk 60
and GRAM 63
, it was in competition to replace the bolt action Mausers
and the Ag m/42 rifles in Swedish service during the early 1960s but lost over the Heckler & Koch G3
(license built as the Ak 4 in Sweden). The FM57 therefore never entered serial production. The rifle was built in two calibers: the 6.5x55 mm (standard in the Swedish Armed Forces
at the time) and the 7.62x51mm NATO (which later replaced the 6.5 mm cartridge in Swedish service).
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
battle rifle
Battle rifle
A battle rifle is a military service rifle that fires a full power rifle cartridge, such as 7.62x51mm NATO. While the designation of battle rifle is usually given to post-World War II select fire infantry rifles such as the H&K G3, the FN FAL or the M14, this term can also apply to older military...
based on the Ljungman Ag m/42
Ag m/42
The Automatgevär m/42 is a Swedish semi-automatic rifle in limited use by the Swedish Army from 1942 until the 1960s.-History:...
semi-automatic rifle
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
. Along with the FN FAL
FN FAL
The Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
, M14
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
, Rk 60
Rk 62
The Rk 62 is an assault rifle manufactured by Valmet and Sako. It is the standard issue infantry weapon of the Finnish Defence Forces....
and GRAM 63
GRAM 63 battle rifle
The GRAM 63 is a prototype battle rifle that was in trials to replace the Ljungman Ag m/42 semi-automatic rifle in Swedish Army service and was manufactured by the Carl Gustav corporation...
, it was in competition to replace the bolt action Mausers
Swedish Mauser
"Swedish Mausers" are a family of bolt-action rifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5x55mm cartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden. These are the m/94 carbine, m/96 long rifle, m/38 short rifle and m/41 sniper...
and the Ag m/42 rifles in Swedish service during the early 1960s but lost over the Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
(license built as the Ak 4 in Sweden). The FM57 therefore never entered serial production. The rifle was built in two calibers: the 6.5x55 mm (standard in the Swedish Armed Forces
Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Armed Forces is a Swedish Government Agency responsible for the operation of the armed forces of the Realm. The primary task of the agency is to train, organize and to deploy military forces, domestically and abroad, while maintaining the long-term ability to defend the Realm in the...
at the time) and the 7.62x51mm NATO (which later replaced the 6.5 mm cartridge in Swedish service).