As Sweden began testing new rifles to replace the Mauser with a self-loader, the two main contenders were the FN FAL and H&K G3. However, there was a Swedish design in the competition as well, a continuation of a series of prototypes beginning with Ljungman modernization efforts from the mid-1950s.
The GRAM 61 is named for a mythical Norse sword, Gramr, used to slay the dragon Fafnir. Ituses a tilting bolt much like the FAL, and a short-stroke gas piston system. Examples were made in both 6.5x55mm and 7.62x51mm (this one is 7.62mm). Only ten examples were made in total, and in Army testing they showed problems with extraction and ejection. The Design was further iterated into the GRAM 63, and that video is coming later…
Many thanks to the Swedish Army Museum for bringing this example out of their reserve collection for me to film! If you are in Stockholm, stop by and see the museum:
Predecessors to the GRAM 61:
Fm/54 Prototype video: https://youtu.be/daQ7S9lAKV0
Fm/57 Prototype video: https://youtu.be/zplQTuttnCE
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