I bought a Swedish Mauser

[95XL883]

I was at a small farm/moving auction today. I usually research before I buy something but the price seemed right ($150) so I bought it. The auctioneer looked really pained declaring it sold so I’m pretty sure I got a pretty good deal.

I don’t know much about these other than it is supposed to be a mild recoil, flat shooting, good deer gun. Deer hunting where the longest shot will probably be 200 yards by my recoil sensitive 15 year old is for what I intend to use it.

Although somewhat dirty, it appears to be in good shape. The stock has a few small dings but nothing that has broken the finish. The barrel has two small rust spots but the bluing is decent. The three digits on the bolt match the last three digits on the receiver. With the action open, the bolt is somewhat loose; with the action closed, the bolt is tight and moves only to open. The crown is unmarred but dirty. The trigger seems neither light nor heavy with virtually no movement before a clean break. I haven’t been able to really inspect the rifling but my guess is it is good but need a cleaning. It has iron sights and would have to be drilled for a scope. I’ll have a smith look at it on Monday. I really like the way it feels when shouldered, substantial, steady and capable. I think my boys and I are going to really like this gun.

I know very little about bolt guns and Swedish Mausers. Please tell me if I made a mistake getting this as a woods deer gun for my recoil sensitive 15 year old. Other than giving it a cleaning and oiling and having the smith check it, what should I know my new old Mauser.

(I’ll post a pics when I get my photobucket account working.)

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[50 Shooter]

If you want to retain its value, don't drill the receiver for a scope mount!

You got a good deal, have a smith check it out, clean it up and have a good time shooting it. If you shoot surplus be sure to clean it ASAP as its more then likely corrosive.

 

[holdover]

there are a few different models of swedish mausers, the carbine is the model 94 & 94/14 (94/14 is a modified version of the 1894 carbine, the short rifle is the model 38 or the 38/96 ( shortened version of the 96, the full length rifle is the model 96. Caliber is 6.5 X 55 and extremely accurate. If it is a matching numbers rifle and still in military form it is well worth the price you paid. If it is a carbine it is worth alot more. Any modification will reduce its value if it is in good condition and original. please post pics and I can advise more

 

[95XL883]

Here are the pics.



50Shooter, thanks for the advice. I hear you on the no drilling. I was thinking of a little luminescent paint on the front bead, no scope, and maybe add a peep sight it drilling isn't required. (I've never had a peep sight, it just seems more in keeping with its old school look.) Thanks again.

 

[50 Shooter]

Great looking rifle! You'll have to post a range report, bet its a good shooter.

 

[kBob]

First do let us know if you find any 6.5x55 corrosive ammo as it will be a surprise to most of us.

That rifle has had its military front and rear sights replaced, the military stock and hardware replaced and the bolt handle bent or replaced.

Personally I do not think you are ruining any value by having it drilled and tapped for a scope if a scope is what you want as I believe it has little collector value at this point. On the other hand I'll bet a 15 year old set of eyes can get good use of iron sights.

For what it is, it looks like a nice rifle and maybe just what the doctor ordered for your 15 year old. You might consider reloading using some of the lighter bullets for that recoil problem.

-kBob

 

[LAGS]

Now that the rifle has been fully sporterized, you are not going to hurt the value by drilling and tapping it for a scope.
But I cant see the bolt handle fully, and if it will clear the low scope as it is right now, you may have to have that modified as well as the safety to use a scope that is directly over the receiver.
This rifle is a good gun for the ladies, or youngsters.
But please have it checked by a gunsmith and make sure it has not been rechambered, and the headspace is correct.
These receivers are good, but because of the age , and someone else modifying it previously, it is better tho be safe than sorry.
But you did get a good deal.
The Weaver Bases for the Small Ring Mauser fit this model, as will the Williams receiver sight, but it has to be drilled and tapped also.

 

[sayak]

That is a beautiful old sporterized Swede. I have one similar to it. Does it say "Interarms" below the crown marking? They brought a bunch of these over in the 50s and 60s. They are a cut above most military rifles.

 

[StrawHat]

You mentioned the bolt wobbles when it is open. That is normal. It should be rock solid when locked but plenty of room when unlocked to clear debris etc. It was built to be a war weapon and as such needed to work under a variety of conditions.

Also, many folks consider the 6.5x55 to be the equivalent of the 270 so you have a nice rifle for the boy.

If you want to learn a little about the Swedish Mauser, here is a bit of reading.

http://dutchman.rebooty.com/

 

[95XL883]

Thanks guys. I'll get it to the smith tomorrow. I really didn't know anything about Mauser's when I bought it but figured I couldn't go too wrong for $150. If it is safe to shoot, it should be a good deer gun.

It doesn't have interarms under GEVARSFAKTORI. Just has the year 1916.

I can see the Dutchman Rebooty website is going to take some of my time. Thanks for the link.

At this point, I do have one more question. Can I safely shoot the higher pressure Norma/Lapua/HSM loads in it? (Assuming the smith says it is generally safe to fire it.) My understanding is a lot of the current factory loads are lower pressure to allow safe shooting in some of the older guns. Thanks again.

 

[rust collector]

Yours would most likely be a model 96 small ring Mauser. These were well made and solid small ring (refers to the diameter of the front of the receiver) designs. The Swedes were very proud of their metallurgy, and the Mauser was a good strong action even before the fabled Model 98. If headspace checks out, there should be no problems from modern commercial ammunition.

There isn't a lot of surplus, corrosive ammunition around and you wouldn't want to use it to take game anyway. Just be sure to try it out before giving it away. These guns are accurate and really enjoyable to shoot.

 

[kiskicowboy]

Pay attention to the headspacing, as the gunsmith with be using SAAMI gauges, and will likely tell you it shows excess headspace. The Dutchman Rebooty has a page pertaining to this that is a must read.

 

[Baba Louie]

Looks like one of the early Interarms 94 carbines as sayak stated.

If so... really nice score for the bucks spent and your 15 year old should love shooting it.

 

[Agsalaska]

You got a great deal. I have not seen a 6.5Swede sell for below $300 no matter what the setup for several years. It is a very sought after caliber and rightfully so. It is very similar to the .260. It is a deer killer. Great buy.

 

[Pilot]

My next hunting rifle will be in either 6.5x55 or .260 Remington. As someone else said, they are very similar in ballistics, and are good for just about everything in the lower 48.

You got a great deal on a nice rifle in an excellent caliber. If you reload, you can really tailor some excellent rounds for your son.

 

[CB900F]

I'm a Swede guy & all I can say is a repeat of what you've already been informed of: Nice gun, great buy, etc, etc.

I gave a 6.5 Swede to my son as his first centerfire hunting rifle for his long-gone 16th birthday. He still has it & you don't want to try to take it away from him. I liked it so much I had a left hand 6.5 built for me. It cost a coupla bucks more than $150.00, but I'm a very happy camper regardless.

900F

 

[oneounceload]

Great gun, the one I had for 30 years was made in 1907 and was VERY accurate using Sierra 120s and 3031 for a mild recoiling load that was good to 300 yards

 

[95XL883]

Thanks again guy for the kind comments and the advice. It cleaned up real well. I printed the head space page from dutchman.rebooty.com and will give it to the smith tomorrow. Really I expect an all clear on it. Of course that will mean an immediate range trip and report.

PS. There are a couple of nice bucks and a couple of does showing on our trail cameras that hopefully will get to me King Carl in about three weeks.