The original m/94 carbines, (The first being built and issued in 1895) had turned down bolts and a 17.5 inch barrel.
They were issued to the cavalry, engineers, naval Infantry and the Navy.
The Swede cavalry was issued a neat leather jacket protector that was part of their equipment gear. It protected the carbine and their clothes when they rode horses with the carbines across their backs.
The cavalry had first issue because the Swede Infantry had received the last upgrade when they went to rolling-blocks.
When the m/96 full length rifles (29 inch barrels) came along, being first issued in 1898, they had a straight bolt. The thought being that the straight bolt was easier to man-handle if a bad round would not chamber or extract. Plus the older cock on closing small ring actions use the forward force of the bolt to cock the firing pin spring, as well as close the bolt.
In 1938, the Swede's decided to cut-down existing m/96 rifles so they would be similar in size to the German Kar-98s, British Enfields and 1903A3s. The last production m/96 rifles having left the royal CG factory back in 1925.
These rifles with a 23.5 inch barrel and originally had the straight bolt of the parent rifle.
However after the Swede became involved in the Finnish Winter War, they decided to ramp up rifle production. So Husqvarna, (who had already contracts for replacement parts) was contracted to make as-built m/38 rifles.
These were ordered with the more modern turn-down bolts as had been originally used on the m/94 carbines. Making it a good general purpose rifle.
Husqvarna also was contracted to make some special m/96 rifles during WW2 as well.
Husky made m/38s.
1941=28,672
1942=38,781
1943=14,156
1944= 1,969
