POTD: The Husqvarna AK4

Eric B
by Eric B

If you’re ever in Sweden, you can visit the Husqvarna Museum with a collection of exhibits that spans over 300 years of production. If you’re not planning on going anytime soon, you can enjoy these images of the Husqvarna AK4 (Automatkarbin 4). This is a Swedish license-built version of the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. It was adopted by the Swedish Armed Forces in 1965 as their standard service rifle, replacing older rifles like the bolt-action m/96 Mauser.

The Ak4 has been in service from 1964 to the present, primarily with Sweden’s Hemvärnet (Home Guard) after being replaced as the main service rifle in 1985 by the AK5 (a licensed version of the FN FNC). The Swedish Ak4s recently got some new life injected, with the Spuhr upgrades.

The Ak4s made by the Husqvarna Vapenfabrik, between 1965 to 1970, are marked with "HVA" and month/year, e.g., HVA 5/68. The Ak4s made by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, between 1965 to 1985, are marked with a crowned "C" and month/year.

So what about the bikes, you may ask? The green one seen straight behind the soldiers and pictured below is the Husqvarna Model 281 (1953) 175 cc. This is a military prototype, one of just ten made.

Below is the Military Motorcycle model 256 A (1980). The museum has a large collection of motorcycles and historic firearms. I wasn’t aware that Husqvarna ever made a quad-bike, for instance.

If you want to visit the museum online, here’s how: https://husqvarnamuseum.se/en/home/ 


We’ll be back with some more interesting firearms you never knew Husqvarna made later on.


All images by the author

Eric B
Eric B

Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.

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 2 comments
  • Mik138591670 Mik138591670 on Sep 28, 2025

    I'm the proud owner of a Husqvarna 310A side by side shotgun, made in 1914. I'm going for a hunting trip next week, with the Husqvarna.

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  • IM IM on Oct 01, 2025

    Interresting. My girlfriend used to work as a guide at that museum, showing exactly this. We're looking forward to more articles on this topic.

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