New M38 Swedish Mauser.

Mustang51 · April 15, 2013, 02:49 AM

I had some luck at an on-line auction tonight and scored several new rifles. One was this CG M38. Looks like it is in decent condition. Hard to tell how matching the parts are. Looks like the barrel bands may not be matching, but I understand that is normal for the CG M38's

Pictures aren't the greatest, description was worse. Price was good.

eastbank · April 15, 2013, 08:08 AM

its a arsenal modified 96 rifle to the 38 rifle. the numbers may match,but if they don,t it,s the the way they were assembled and no biggie. all things being equal the 96/38,s are as good a regular 38,s. i think less 96/38,s were made than regular 38,s. by the way a nice rifle. eastbank

303tom · April 15, 2013, 11:20 AM

Here maybe this will help with a little Info..............

http://dutchman.rebooty.com/

http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artikla.../rifles_se.htm

By the way looks pretty nice !..............

Float Pilot · April 15, 2013, 12:40 PM

Your rifle was made mid-way through the year of 1902 at the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori ( Govt arms factory) located at town of Eskilstuna, Sweden.

They made about 23,942 m/96 rifles that year.

The inspector was artillery Lt. Helge Gustaf Ludvig Kolthoff .

It is believed that approximately 55,000 m/96 rifles were converted to the m/38 configuration between 1938 and 1940.

Mustang51 · April 15, 2013, 10:20 PM

Thanks, guys.

I appreciate the background info on these rifles.

RUT · April 16, 2013, 08:12 AM

I've had a couple of these in the past, and they are the proverbial "tack driver".

Hokkmike · April 16, 2013, 08:35 AM

So, can you give us a ball park on the price? I have always been partial to the Swedes.

Recently bought a 24/47 (yes, I know. Not A Swede) because I could afford it.

eastbank · April 16, 2013, 11:37 AM

350-500 depending on overall condition,maybe more in a bidding war. eastbank.

Mustang51 · April 16, 2013, 11:58 AM

Thanks, eb

The pictures are not good and I can't tell how many parts are matching. It looks like the lower band does not match. I've heard that is common on the CG M38's and wonder if you can confirm that.

Thanks

cal30_sniper · April 16, 2013, 02:09 PM

Nice looking rifle. I picked up a pretty good condition 1899 Oberndorf 96/38 about a week ago. Definitely one of the best balanced military rifles with some of the best blade sights that I've ever used.

I managed to talk the store down to $425 on mine. A bit more than I wanted to pay for it, but it is an Obie and all the numbers match except the floorplate. It also had the micrometer rear sight and a pretty unusual Black Walnut stock on it too. I figured I paid at the high end of market value, but they can only go up in price, and I've always wanted one to go along with my CG M96.

Let us know how she shoots!

Float Pilot · April 16, 2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Nice looking rifle. I picked up a pretty good condition 1899 Oberndorf 96/38 about a week ago. Definitely one of the best balanced military rifles with some of the best blade sights that I've ever used.

I managed to talk the store down to $425 on mine. A bit more than I wanted to pay for it, but it is an Obie and all the numbers match except the floorplate. It also had the micrometer rear sight and a pretty unusual Black Walnut stock on it too. I figured I paid at the high end of market value, but they can only go up in price, and I've always wanted one to go along with my CG M96.

You did more than OK. 1899 Oberndorfs are fairly rare. The Mauser factory in Oberndorf on the Neckar river only made m/96s during 1899 and 1900 ( about 7% of the total ) And since only 55,000 m/96s were converted to m/38s, the chances of finding a 1899 Obie which was converted are pretty rare. Plus the Vastaras micrometer adjustable rear sight insert is worth $100 by itself... I would love to see that stock....

cal30_sniper · April 16, 2013, 04:02 PM

Float, I'll get some pictures up of it in a few days. I've been dying to get it cleaned up and photo worthy, but so far I've been too busy trying to wrap up my thesis. Should be able to get it done in the next few days though.

Mustang51 · April 16, 2013, 05:11 PM

I have a 1900 Obendorf M38 also.

Unfortunately, Bubba got to it...

Mustang51 · May 31, 2013, 10:39 PM

Finally picked up my rifles from the FFL, including this Swedish M38

Metal is in really good shape, wood is a little faded. Bore is what you would expect from a Swede Mauser.

The receiver, bolt and parts, and butt plate all match. The floor plate is unmarked, except for the crown proof. Barrel bands and bolt release do not match. I'm glad that the bolt matches the receiver.

I'll post a range report when I can.

Float Pilot · May 31, 2013, 11:00 PM

Is it a tilted crown on the floor-plate ?

the tilted crown and force match numbers on your cocking piece means that it is a Husqvarna made replacement part. You see a lot of those on m/38s.
My m/38s like different loads for match shooting compared to my m/96s.

303tom · May 31, 2013, 11:53 PM

That is a nice looking Carl Gustafs stads Gevarsfaktori 96/38, looking forward to hearing how she shoots...................

Mustang51 · June 1, 2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Is it a tilted crown on the floor-plate ?

the tilted crown and force match numbers on your cocking piece means that it is a Husqvarna made replacement part. You see a lot of those on m/38s.
My m/38s like different loads for match shooting compared to my m/96s.

I noticed that both the floor plate and the trigger guard have tilted crowns.

There is also a crown cartouche directly behind the trigger guard

Mustang51 · June 1, 2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

That is a nice looking Carl Gustafs stads Gevarsfaktori 96/38, looking forward to hearing how she shoots...

Thanks, Tom.

I'll try and get to the range next week.

Float Pilot · June 1, 2013, 10:20 PM

The stamped crown on the stock's wrist was put there when the rifle was inspected, test fired and sighted in.

A major repair would include the crown/letter stamp.

Government Arsenal at Eskiltuna
•crown/C " Carl Gustaf",

Army Depot repair stations:
•crown/S Stockholms Tygstation, Stockholm
•crown/K Karlsborg Tygstation, Karlsborg
•crown/CB Karlsborg Tygstation, Karlsborg (Carlsborg, old spelling)
•crown/B Bodens Tygstation, Boden
•crown/Gg A2:s Tygstation, Goteborg
•crown/Ch A3:s Tygstation, Christianstad (Kristianstad
•crown/O A4:s Tygstation, Ostersund
•crown/G A7:s Tygstation, Gotland

Mustang51 · June 6, 2013, 12:44 AM

Thanks, FP

I think you clued me to a stock cartouch on an m96 that I got last year and I should have remembered it.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=672665

hang fire · June 6, 2013, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Float Pilot

Is it a tilted crown on the floor-plate ?

the tilted crown and force match numbers on your cocking piece means that it is a Husqvarna made replacement part. You see a lot of those on m/38s.
My m/38s like different loads for match shooting compared to my m/96s.

My 1942 Husky M38 has a very short leade to the rifling and does not tolerate the longer heavy bullets without seating very deep past neck/shoulder junction.

Mustang51 · June 11, 2013, 02:55 PM

I made a quick trip to the range today and fired a few rounds through the new M38. The orange targets aren't ideal for my eyes, but here are 4 rounds of Prvi 120 gr "match" ammo (all I had left) at 100 yards.

I think I could do better with a different target and handloaded ammo.

1KPerDay · June 11, 2013, 03:26 PM

Wow... pretty. I've never seen a mauser with a straight grip. Looks (duh) like a 1903 Springfield.

Mustang51 · June 11, 2013, 03:42 PM

Thanks, 1K...most of the small ring Mausers (Argentine M1891, Chilean M1895 and Swede M1896) came with straight stocks.

1KPerDay · June 11, 2013, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm new to the Mauser world and only have one, a VZ-24.

April 15, 2013, 02:49 AM	#1
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	New M38 Swedish Mauser. I had some luck at an on-line auction tonight and scored several new rifles. One was this CG M38. Looks like it is in decent condition. Hard to tell how matching the parts are. Looks like the barrel bands may not be matching, but I understand that is normal for the CG M38's Pictures aren't the greatest, description was worse. Price was good.

April 15, 2013, 11:20 AM	#3
303tom Member Join Date: July 16, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,715	Here maybe this will help with a little Info.............. http://dutchman.rebooty.com/ http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artikla.../rifles_se.htm By the way looks pretty nice !.............. __________________ All in good time !

April 15, 2013, 12:40 PM	#4
Float Pilot Member Join Date: July 27, 2007 Location: Kachemak Bay Alaska Posts: 2,315	Your rifle was made mid-way through the year of 1902 at the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori ( Govt arms factory) located at town of Eskilstuna, Sweden. They made about 23,942 m/96 rifles that year. The inspector was artillery Lt. Helge Gustaf Ludvig Kolthoff . It is believed that approximately 55,000 m/96 rifles were converted to the m/38 configuration between 1938 and 1940. __________________ Experimental Hand-Loader, Wilderness photo guide, Float Plane,Tail Wheel and Firearms Instructor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drago...ref=ts&fref=ts

April 16, 2013, 08:12 AM	#6
RUT Member Join Date: March 29, 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 877	I've had a couple of these in the past, and they are the proverbial "tack driver". __________________ "Foreign Aid: The transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries."

April 16, 2013, 08:35 AM	#7
Hokkmike Member Join Date: February 28, 2006 Location: Sullivan County PA Posts: 1,918	So, can you give us a ball park on the price? I have always been partial to the Swedes. Recently bought a 24/47 (yes, I know. Not A Swede) because I could afford it. __________________ From the Constitution of the Commomwealth of Pennsylvania: The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.

April 15, 2013, 08:08 AM	#2
eastbank Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 873	its a arsenal modified 96 rifle to the 38 rifle. the numbers may match,but if they don,t it,s the the way they were assembled and no biggie. all things being equal the 96/38,s are as good a regular 38,s. i think less 96/38,s were made than regular 38,s. by the way a nice rifle. eastbank

April 15, 2013, 10:20 PM	#5
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	Thanks, guys. I appreciate the background info on these rifles.

April 16, 2013, 11:37 AM	#8
eastbank Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 873	350-500 depending on overall condition,maybe more in a bidding war. eastbank.

April 16, 2013, 11:58 AM	#9
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	Thanks, eb The pictures are not good and I can't tell how many parts are matching. It looks like the lower band does not match. I've heard that is common on the CG M38's and wonder if you can confirm that. Thanks

April 16, 2013, 02:09 PM	#10
cal30_sniper Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: TX Posts: 304	Nice looking rifle. I picked up a pretty good condition 1899 Oberndorf 96/38 about a week ago. Definitely one of the best balanced military rifles with some of the best blade sights that I've ever used. I managed to talk the store down to $425 on mine. A bit more than I wanted to pay for it, but it is an Obie and all the numbers match except the floorplate. It also had the micrometer rear sight and a pretty unusual Black Walnut stock on it too. I figured I paid at the high end of market value, but they can only go up in price, and I've always wanted one to go along with my CG M96. Let us know how she shoots! __________________ Non sibi sed patriae.

April 16, 2013, 04:02 PM	#12
cal30_sniper Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: TX Posts: 304	Float, I'll get some pictures up of it in a few days. I've been dying to get it cleaned up and photo worthy, but so far I've been too busy trying to wrap up my thesis. Should be able to get it done in the next few days though. __________________ Non sibi sed patriae.

April 16, 2013, 05:11 PM	#13
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	I have a 1900 Obendorf M38 also. Unfortunately, Bubba got to it...

May 31, 2013, 10:39 PM	#14
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	Finally picked up my rifles from the FFL, including this Swedish M38 Metal is in really good shape, wood is a little faded. Bore is what you would expect from a Swede Mauser. The receiver, bolt and parts, and butt plate all match. The floor plate is unmarked, except for the crown proof. Barrel bands and bolt release do not match. I'm glad that the bolt matches the receiver. I'll post a range report when I can.

May 31, 2013, 11:00 PM	#15
Float Pilot Member Join Date: July 27, 2007 Location: Kachemak Bay Alaska Posts: 2,315	Is it a tilted crown on the floor-plate ? the tilted crown and force match numbers on your cocking piece means that it is a Husqvarna made replacement part. You see a lot of those on m/38s. My m/38s like different loads for match shooting compared to my m/96s. __________________ Experimental Hand-Loader, Wilderness photo guide, Float Plane,Tail Wheel and Firearms Instructor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drago...ref=ts&fref=ts

May 31, 2013, 11:53 PM	#16
303tom Member Join Date: July 16, 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 3,715	That is a nice looking Carl Gustafs stads Gevarsfaktori 96/38, looking forward to hearing how she shoots................... __________________ All in good time !

June 1, 2013, 10:20 PM	#19
Float Pilot Member Join Date: July 27, 2007 Location: Kachemak Bay Alaska Posts: 2,315	The stamped crown on the stock's wrist was put there when the rifle was inspected, test fired and sighted in. A major repair would include the crown/letter stamp. Government Arsenal at Eskiltuna •crown/C " Carl Gustaf", Army Depot repair stations: •crown/S Stockholms Tygstation, Stockholm •crown/K Karlsborg Tygstation, Karlsborg •crown/CB Karlsborg Tygstation, Karlsborg (Carlsborg, old spelling) •crown/B Bodens Tygstation, Boden •crown/Gg A2:s Tygstation, Goteborg •crown/Ch A3:s Tygstation, Christianstad (Kristianstad •crown/O A4:s Tygstation, Ostersund •crown/G A7:s Tygstation, Gotland __________________ Experimental Hand-Loader, Wilderness photo guide, Float Plane,Tail Wheel and Firearms Instructor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Drago...ref=ts&fref=ts

June 6, 2013, 12:44 AM	#20
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	Thanks, FP I think you clued me to a stock cartouch on an m96 that I got last year and I should have remembered it. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=672665

June 11, 2013, 02:55 PM	#22
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	I made a quick trip to the range today and fired a few rounds through the new M38. The orange targets aren't ideal for my eyes, but here are 4 rounds of Prvi 120 gr "match" ammo (all I had left) at 100 yards. I think I could do better with a different target and handloaded ammo.

June 11, 2013, 03:26 PM	#23
1KPerDay Member Join Date: January 19, 2006 Location: Happy Valley, UT Posts: 8,695	Wow... pretty. I've never seen a mauser with a straight grip. Looks (duh) like a 1903 Springfield. __________________ Looking for clean Colt Python in Ultimate Stainless. PM me if you know of one for sale for a reasonable price.

June 11, 2013, 03:42 PM	#24
Mustang51 Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 417	Thanks, 1K...most of the small ring Mausers (Argentine M1891, Chilean M1895 and Swede M1896) came with straight stocks.

June 11, 2013, 03:48 PM	#25
1KPerDay Member Join Date: January 19, 2006 Location: Happy Valley, UT Posts: 8,695	Thanks for the info. I'm new to the Mauser world and only have one, a VZ-24. __________________ Looking for clean Colt Python in Ultimate Stainless. PM me if you know of one for sale for a reasonable price.