6.5 Swede m/38 at last

[Dave DeLaurant]

While I didn't have any particular model in mind (but I do prefer carbines), I have been watching and waiting quite awhile for a nice example of a military Swedish Mauser to appear on the LGS market. When I spotted this nice m/38 short rifle, I jumped despite the rather high tariff of $850+etc.:



The rifle is in fantastically good condition, with a near perfect stock and a bore that appears unfired. The receiver ring is marked Husqvarna 1942, so it was new-made rather than converted. It came with a very clean leather sling, but it's not in the photo because I prefer to store leather goods separately.

I took the barrelled action out of the stock for inspection and CLP oiling and the rifle proved just as clean where it doesn't show.

Pity I didn't find one of these when the prices were more affordable, but my budget was much more limited back then. I can eat beans for a few weeks nowadays when I find something this nice.

I seem to have become a Swedeophile lately, with three service handguns, two milsurp rifles and five Husqvarna and Carl Gustav sporters. Probably need to get out more.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Beautiful.
Love those Swedes.

 

[eastbank]

out of all of the swedes i have owned this 1944 m-38 is my favorite.

 

[Riomouse911]

That is a true Swedish beauty, very nice pick up there, sir!

If you take it out and shoot it let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nice Swede, Dave!

Had lots of Mausers, but never a Swede. I DID have a Swiss K11 that someone had screwed an M38 barrel on, thus converting it to 6.5. Gun looked funky, but shot great.

My Dad has several nice Swedes, out of his 50-60 Mausers.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The M38s are some of the nicest milsurps out there.

 

[tark]

Fantastic find, Dave. The postal service is slow, haven't got it yet.

 

[eastbank]

if you can find N-560 powder, if not imr 4350 does very well in the swedes. i run nothing but 140 gr bullets at 2400-2500 fps in my swedish milsurps. in my rem 700 classic and my cz 550 i run pretty hot, 140,s at 2800+ fps.

 

[Speedo66]

Often the carbine versions of military guns are harsh because of the recoil in a lighter gun. The M-38 is an exception because the cartridge is not a punishing one. I had both the long and the short, preferred the carbine.

The Swedes seemed to have taken excellent care of their guns before they were surplussed, not unusual to find great examples such as yours.

OP, if you like all things Swedish, then you indeed need to get out more, especially to take a trip there. I’ve been 20+ times since meeting my Swedish wife there in 1970.

Many beautiful things to see, from the forests, mountains, beaches, lakes, castles, and art, to the exceptional beauty of the friendly people. Added attraction, almost everyone speaks perfect English. Just bring lots of krona because inexpensive it is not.

Good luck with your new gun!

 

[Slamfire]

They were called Cavalry carbines because the bolt handle was turned down. I don't know if that is just marketing or not. Straight bolt handles get hung up on everything, which is why the turned down bolt handle replaced it.

As if horse cavalry had a chance against Panzers! Sweden was building rifles and building upits defenses, because Nazi German had invaded Norway, Denmark and Poland. And the Russians were right across the Baltic. If Sweden had not been a "good supplier", it is likely the Germans would have occupied the country. You can imagine the real fear of a German invasion, the Germans had swept everyone before them, and no one wanted to be next on the list. Your rifle was made in a period when the future of Sweden was very precarious, the Swedes were rightly afraid of German, then Soviet invasion and occupation.

Luckily for the Swedes, they did not have to shoot your rifle in anger. But it was a near thing.

Sweden during World War II

 

[Gun-Reck]

While I didn't have any particular model in mind (but I do prefer carbines), I have been watching and waiting quite awhile for a nice example of a military Swedish Mauser to appear on the LGS market. When I spotted this nice m/38 short rifle, I jumped despite the rather high tariff of $850+etc.:

View attachment 1159968

The rifle is in fantastically good condition, with a near perfect stock and a bore that appears unfired. The receiver ring is marked Husqvarna 1942, so it was new-made rather than converted. It came with a very clean leather sling, but it's not in the photo because I prefer to store leather goods separately.

I took the barrelled action out of the stock for inspection and CLP oiling and the rifle proved just as clean where it doesn't show.

Pity I didn't find one of these when the prices were more affordable, but my budget was much more limited back then. I can eat beans for a few weeks nowadays when I find something this nice.

I seem to have become a Swedeophile lately, with three service handguns, two milsurp rifles and five Husqvarna and Carl Gustav sporters. Probably need to get out more.

Now that am in the cartridge, am in the market for exactly that.

Very nice find.

 

[HarryB]

Beautiful rifle! I've had several long rifles, kept one. Never seem to find a carbine when I have money... Enjoy!

 

[Chief TC]

Nice! I just got a M96 and very happy with it's condition and price ( at least today's prices). It is amazing how good some of these rifles look. Based on the way yours looks and the potentially unfired (how could you tell that exactly?) I think that is a great price.

 

[eastbank]

all were test fiired at the factory or when rebuilt. i think that alot were put into storage when the shift to semi auto rifles came about. while the swedes were not involved in ww-2, a volenteer unit did fight some with the finns against the russians. and did sell-give the finns arms. i have a 1896 with finn acceptence stamps(SA in a small box on the front reciever ring))

 

[theotherwaldo]

So far, I've picked up a Bubba'd M/94, an M/94/14, an M/96, a nicely sporterized M/96 and an M/38.
I've also gathered up a Ljungman AG-42.
-And I'm still looking... .

 

[Speedo66]

The guard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm changes costumes from time to time, and the dress and weapons change also.

When dressed in period uniforms, depending on the era, I’ve seen everything from 1894 Mausers, as seen in this photo, to Swedish K’s, and their latest battle rifles.

Here, in a photo from Wiki, an American ship commander is reviewing the guard.

 

[theotherwaldo]

View attachment 1160358
The guard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm changes costumes from time to time, and the dress and weapons change also.

When dressed in period uniforms, depending on the era, I’ve seen everything from 1894 Mausers, as seen in this photo, to Swedish K’s, and their latest battle rifles.

Here, in a photo from Wiki, an American ship commander is reviewing the guard.

Those are all M/94-14s, which are M/94 Cavalry Carbines that were built or modified to take a bayonet.
My understanding is that they were built for the Swedish Navy.
Mine has a sleeve pressed onto the muzzle, as it was just a tad too short to be imported back around 1959.
An exception has since been made for this particular model of rifle.