Mauser 96/38-Cut down or "New" barrel?

[mec]

I have a Swedish 96/38 with a 1908 receiver. The bolt does not match but headspace is just fine. The barrel, near the muzzle is marked 96/38 with no distinct date or serial number-making me wonder if the barrel was replaced rather than cut down during the modification. The Disc is triangled at "2" but there are no signs of throat erosion or any degradation of the bore that is visible from chamber or muzzle.

the sight on the left

 

[boom boom]

Depending on who imported them, some importers made up parts rifles. Very long barrels of the 96 version were not as desirable at that time. If your barrel or receiver has an importer Mark, then it was post 1968 import. Does your barrel have a crown stamping? Then it is a Swede barrel.

It is possible that the Swedes did the rebarrelling at some other as well but the disk could have been added later by others or that the stock was changed at some point. To check, the receiver serial number should be in the barrel channel.

 

[mec]

Thanks

 

[boom boom]

Mec,
I was in a hurry the other day and posted quickly. Checked my Swedish Mauser Rifle by Kehaya and Poyer for a few more details. "The Swedish Mauser" Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer 2nd ed. North Cape Publications 2003.

Rechecking this manual, I found some pertinent information that may be helpful.

Barrels should have the swedish crown marked on the bottom of the breech and remarked each time that the barrel was inspected. According to Kehaya, model 96 barrels were cut down about 6 inches for the 96/38. There are dimensional difference in the barrel steps between the later Husqvarna 38 model barrel and the cutdown model 96 barrels.

The 96/38 will have a cutdown model 96 stock--you can tell by looking inside the barrel channel where the one and 1/2 lightening cuts are filled at the end for strength and to attach the bayonet stud. You will also see them with the Carl Gustafs receivers dating about when you have them. According to Kehaya and Poyer, the 96/38 numbered about 30,000 conversions to the 24.5 inch barrel--you should also see either remnants of a decal with conversion tables for the new 139 grain bullet or four holes where a metal plate with the conversion information for the new round was removed. Factory mounting had them upside down. Some will have threaded barrels for a muzzle blank firing device.

You do have the correct 96/38 sights for the older 156 grain bullet (m/94 cartridge) with the refined sight adapter. Type 2 sights go from 250-600 m in 50m increments which I do not see here.

Re Stock Disc: You may have the Type 2 first variation stock disk which only designates throat erosion only. The type 2 2nd variation has both throat erosion and bore condition.

FYI Sarco and others had Swede military replacement barrels and unnumbered bolts until just recently that were like new. You also see surplus new old stock military replacement barrels from time to time for either the carbine or the model 38.

My best guess is that someone rebarrelled it with a model 38 barrel (model 96 barrels that were cut down will still have the serial number or the old xxx'd out marks. The new old stock military barrels that I have seen do not have serial numbers and likewise for new replacement bolts. It is possible that someone got sloppy and did not mark the serial number on the barrel as Kehaya and Poyer state.

For further information, there is a guy posting as Dutchman on both Gunboards and has his own website with copious notes and pictures of Swedish Mausers http://dutchman.rebooty.com

Hope this helps.

 

[mec]

Thanks.Good information. I haven't disassembled the rifle an the only visible markings are a century arms import line above M38 Sweden 6.5x55. Which must also come from the importer. Some suspicious markings on the stock next to the disc may be from the conversion table. This barrel is threaded for the wooden bullet thing.

The receiver is marked 1908

The one below is 1920 with the same type disc marked 1 in the small triangle and also marked at 0 on larger number scale has the sight with elevation steps in the lowered postion but even at the lowest setting shoots 13 inches high at 100 yards and looking at ballistic calculations must be signted in at 600 yards. (!) The swiss Torpid/Ball load does 2531 from the short barrel and 2650 from the long one. both group very well

 

[boom boom]

Beautiful rifles, here is how to read the disk information, it appears that you have the second type with three different items to track. http://dutchman.rebooty.com/disc.html
I ended up building a Model 38 using an old receiver with a brand new old stock Swede replacement barrel. Have a 96 and a 94 that unfortunately had been sporterized by cutting down the stock. I am guessing that you have a 96/38 based on the pictures if the bolt has not been replaced. The Model 38 generally have turned down bolt handles while the 96 and 96/38 conversions generally had straight bolts.