POTD: The Sledgehammer of Anti-Tank Rifles – The Solothurn S18-1000
Sam.S 04.29.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Solothurn S18-1000 was the pinnacle of anti-tank rifles developed between the two World Wars. Firing the potent 20x138mmB cartridge from a semiautomatic, recoil-operated action, this 118 lb Swiss beast could penetrate 35mm of armor at 300 meters. Adopted by Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, and others, it served on numerous fronts in WWII, notably in Dutch hands against German forces invading in 1940. The Italians deployed it widely in North Africa mounted on vehicles. Its immense power came at the cost of portability – though a two-wheeled carriage helped, crews struggled with its bulk. As tanks grew heavier armor, anti-tank rifles like the formidable S18-1000 became outmatched, leading to their obsolescence by 1943 in favor of lighter, more mobile anti-tank weapons. Still, the Solothurn’s hard-hitting performance made it the ultimate man-portable anti-armor weapon of its era.
“The weapon itself is just massive being almost 7 feet long. The Rheinmetall company was the original designer/ developer of this weapons in the early to mid 1930s. However due to the terms of the Versailles Treaty. Germany could not manufacture these weapons and so used the Solothurn factory in Switzerland to secretly manufacture them under their secret rearmament program. These were produced in 1939-1942 time frame. Eventually the Germans began to manufacture these weapons when they used them very effectively during WWII on both fighter aircraft and mounted on wheeled carriages. They were intended to be used as a light anti-tank gun, however as tank armor improved, their role shifted for use against light armored trucks and vehicles and fixed field guns. These weapons were beautifully machined and manufactured with all forged parts, that were 100% machined and fitted to exacting tolerances. They have an all blued metal finish with the complete bolt assembly left in the white. This specific weapon is rare as it still has its permanently mounted scope/sighting device mounted on the left side of the receiver. The telescopic sight assembly has a fully machined housing assembly that is actually integral with the receiver, directly over the opening for the box magazine with the optics fitted inside.”
Lot 293: Solothurn S-18/1000 Destructive Device 20 mm (Cannon) – Swiss Made Solothurn 20mm Cannon with a Rare Side Mounted Optical/Sniper Scope, Ammunition, Box Magazines and Cleaning Kit (Registered NFA Destructive Device). (n.d.-d). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved April 29, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/59/293/solothurn-s181000-destructive-device-20-mm-cannon.
