Got my 1st Mausers looking for info (pics)

[NavyGuy]

I just picked up two Mausers, I'd like it if someone could give me some more information on what I picked up. I was looking more for Mauser actions, but these rifles are in good shape, and the Swede has matching numbers.

The Swede is a 6.5x?? with the following on the action
"HUSQVARNA VAPENFABRIKS AKTIEBOLAG 1942"
Serial#656474
(On the bolt) #474
Looks like it was imported by SAMCO out of Miami

The VZ24 is a 8mm with the following on the action
"CESKOSLOVENSKA ZBROJOVKA, A.S, BRNO VZ24"
Serial#4217H4
(On the bolt) #6597 with other weird tooling of numbers that can't be made out. The insignia is too worn to make out any dates.

Both barrels look so-so, you'll have to forgive me I'm used to looking at modern barrels.

I was originally looking to sporterize these, no bubba hack job, but I don't know, I really like these rifles and hate to think of them hacked up. I know about the cost involved for sporterizing, I want to do two identical rifles to pass down to my two boys. Something their dad did by hand. I might just have to find some crummy mausers at a gun show. What the hell am I talking about? I don't even know if their in good shape. Need some advice. I know the BRNO is strong enough for modern rounds, what about the Swede?

 

[Vaarok]

The Husqvarna Swedish M-38 carbine's worth about $450+, you can't sporterize it and not A) be desecrating history and B) losing money and performance. These are high-demand and high-quality rifles.

It is also a Mauser 96 action, and NOT safe for redoing to accept higher pressure modern rounds. Leave it be.

The Vz-24 is a more common gun, but rapidly growing ever rarer as people rape them for the CZ-made Mauser 98 action, which is generally considered superb quality. Generally about a $200 rifle, unless it's got interesting marks or certain crests, but better left alone than pipe-wrenched into components.

If you want a donor action for a sporter, lemme know and I'll see about rousting you a nice '98 action in trade for the swede.

 

[Cosmoline]

Both are strong enough for modern 6.5 Swede and 8x57JS, respectively. Don't hotrod 6.5 handloads out of the Swede. Factory commercial is fine. The VZ action is stronger than most modern rifles, and is a pattern 98. Those actions have been used extensively in custom rifles. However I would advise against cutting yours up. There are many home gunsmith projects off both Swedes and Czechs you can find on Gunbroker and pawn shops. Keep these intact for posterity.

I assume you already know the basics about the rifles (type, chambering, history). Getting more info from an SN search on European military rifles is often very tough, but someone might be able to do it for the Swede.

 

[NavyGuy]

I guess I got a good deal! $125 a piece!

What about the fact that some idiot put an aftermarket muzzle break on the Swede? You can just make it out on the first pic.

 

[Vaarok]

WHAT?!

Double your money on the Swede! Pleeeze?

And that brake is just to protect the threads. In the 1960s most all Swedish rifles had their muzzles threaded for blank adaptors, and there's a variety of things that've been sold to protect said threads. Brake sure might not be necessary, but it's better than leaving them exposed to get nicked and bumped.

 

[mike724]

I have a similar brake on my Swede, not for function, but to protect the threads on the barrel. You can easily twist it off, and I believe Sarco has a small "cap" to protect the thread without the "flash suppressor" look.

 

[Jake in TX]

Concerning yout Swede, please look around at:

http://www.milsurpshooter.net/forums/82/t/Swedish-Firearms-Forum.html

I think you might be a bit surprised. If you get to shoot it, and are bitten by the Swede bug, you will need a copy of "Crown Jewels, The Mauser in Sweden" by Dana Jones.