Mauser short 1942 M38 info needed

[riverboatman]

I'm new here and hope I'm in the right place to ask a few questions. I have what is supposed to be a Swedish Husqvarn Mauser Short (24" barrel) M38 that I bought 30 years ago and need some info on the weapon. I just took it out of the shipping box and now is the time to get it cleaned up. Yes, it's been in the closet all that time. It has crowns stamped all over it and is Ser# 646119. Stamp under the sight is GB. On the stock there is a round brass (two screws) emblem with the number I19 and No. 1675. It has 119 on the safety lever, butt plate and ball on the turned down bolt lever so it appears to have all the correct numbers. What I want to know is what does the No. 1675 mean and what ammo do I need to buy? I also had a 1896 Mauser (long barrel) that I gave to my son-in-law. I did buy some 6.5 x 55 ammo when I bought these weapons but it seems there are a lot of different types of ammo that is available for the Mauser and since I'm going to buy some ammo, I want to make sure I get the "right stuff"! Does the 1896 and 1942 use the same 6.5 x 55 ammo and if not, what do I look for?

 

[Shadow 7D]

google swede mauser
gunboards has an entire forum dedicated to them (well they actually fall into at least 4 forums)

Dutchman has a sight on them, LOTS of info
and besides, this post is useless without pictures

 

[NCsmitty]

I won't offer any information on the rifle itself as there are more qualified people here that can help you with that, but I will offer my opinion on ammo for it. Prvi-Partizan offers good, reliable, full power ammunition at reasonable prices, and being European, they have the proper case dimensions to match your rifle's chamber. Most commercial ammo made here is undersize, and I do not recommend it, especially if you plan to reload it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/12...swedish-mauser-139-grain-soft-point-box-of-20


NCsmitty

 

[Float Pilot]

In 1938 the Swedish Crown authorized the military to start cutting down and modifying Swedish m/96 Mauser rifles (29 in barrels) so they would be as handy as the German m/98K and British Enfield.
These cut-down rifles were called m/38s.

When WWII started to really spin up, the Swedes were afraid that they would be pulled into the mess, so they decided that they needed even more m/38 rifles but the Carl Gustafs factory at Eskilstuna was swamped with making machine guns and other weapons...

SO... The private firm of HUSQVARNA, which was already making military replacement parts under contract, was given the contract to make brand new m/38 rifles.

They made the following between 1941 and 1944.

1941= 28,672 rifles
1942= 38,781 rifles
1943= 14,156 rifles
1944 = @ 1,969 rifles.

Most Husqvarna made m/38 rifles have T marked rear sights that were calibrated from the m/41 139gr boat-tail bullet.


GB stamped on the sight base and by the serial number stands for Gustaf Bjorkenstam. Born 1893.
He was a Capt in the 3rd infantry who was an inspector at both the Carl Gustafs factory and at the Husqvarana factory for the acceptance of military rifles.

Your rifle has a 1 in 200mm Twist rate in the rifling of its 23.5 inch barrel.
It fires the standard 6.5x55mm Swedish ammunition.

If the front sight has not been replaced with a taller front sight, it will strike high at 100 yards.

PS:
Could you post a photo of the disk on your stock ?? It sounds like an odd disk for a m/38...

 

[303tom]

The Carl Gustaf swedes were 96/38`s. The Oberndorf Mausers were also 96/38`s. The Husqvarna m38`s were made as 38`s not cut down 96`s. Here is some stuff to read up on...............

http://dutchman.rebooty.com/

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

 

[riverboatman]

Thanks for the replies. From looking online it appears the I19 might be a designation for a 19th Infantry but not sure of that. It isn't the standard disc that shows the weapons condition.



I should have resized the image before posting it as it is very large but
is a really good view even for my old eyes.

Here is the emblem. The M38 metal is in very good condition but the lower stock and butt plate are looking like it has seen some usage. The butt plate is a pitted gray like it has sit in the dirt on many occasions.

I will be cleaning it up this weekend and hopefully fire it next week. Generally, do you guys consider this weapon to be a good candidate for use over 350 yds? I really want this as a long range weapon so I have entertained the idea of putting a scope on it if I can find someone that has already done that modification.

Thanks

 

[MikeJackmin]

If the numbers match it may have more value as a collectible than as a shooter; if you scope it, that value will be lost.

Might be worthwhile to post a few pics and let the more knowledgeable members see exactly what you have here before planning on modifications.

That said, the 6.5x55 would be fine for target work at 350 yards, and probably plenty for deer as well.

 

[Float Pilot]

the unit disc on yours means It was rifle number 1675 of the 19th INFANTRY Regiment
The disc says is a I 19. not 119

DOES IT HAVE A THREADED BARREL END OR A REGULAR MUZZLE END ?


While many Americans and importers call the cut down m/38s by the name 96/38s to denote that it was originally a m/96 rifle which was modified... the SWEDES NEVER DID. To them a m/38 was a m/38 no matter where or how it was made.

Putting a scope on that matching rifle would be a crime. There are many of us who collect Swede military rifles who would be more than willing to buy it from you so you could buy a scoped rifle.

I have grand-kids in high school, yet I still manage to win the occasional Mauser Match with my issued iron sighted Husqvarna m/38 rifle.

 

[riverboatman]

Ok guys, you have cleared that mystery up for me. At first I thought the disk had 119 on it also until I got out my magnifying glass and realized it was I19. What's the chances of the I19 on the disk and the serial #119 everywhere else? Fooled me. It sure looked like 119 with these old tired eyes.

The weapon does have the threaded tip on the barrel and also has a flash suppressor attached. I also got the old leather sling with it but it's in sad shape. That was 30 years ago. I think I've looked at all the places that the 119 digit would be. If there is anywhere else to look please let me know so I can.

It has a coating of Cosmo on the metal but not all thick and gunky. I'm going to get a gallon of Mineral Spirits and see if I can cut that mess off. I downloaded a PDF with instructions on how to dismantle the M38 so I'm going to give it a try.

Now that you guys have chimed in about the scope, I'll not mess with that. I'm a 65 yr old Army Chemical Corps. Vietnam vet so I'll just put on my glasses and do my best.

 

[Float Pilot]

A few of mine have threaded muzzles as well. They were threaded for a blank firing adapter. The Swedes had blanks that had a wooden bullet. The adapter shredded the wooden bullet. Initially they just told the troops not to aim directly at each other when they were up close, but as a fellow vet you can guess how well that worked.
So in the mid 1950s they re-barreled a bunch of them to take the blank adaptor.

Here is one for sale with a photo. I can't find the photos of mine...
http://www.buymilitaria.com/mauser_htm/swedish_mauser_blank_firing_adapter.htm

The Swedes had plastic thread protectors. There are after-market steel caps that thread over the muzzle and look much better than the plastic thread protectors.

The Swedes NEVER had flash suppressors on their rifles. Somebody screwed that on the muzzle over here in the USA. All that will do is screw up your accuracy.

 

[303tom]

So what is it a Carl Gustaf, or a Oberndorf Mauser, or a Husqvarna ?

 

[Baba Louie]

So what is it a Carl Gustaf, or a Oberndorf Mauser, or a Husqvarna ?

I believe riverboatman said in his initial post a Husqvarna and with a 646XXX serial that'd make it a '42 mfg I think which precludes a CG or an Obie in this case.

Clean that Swede up riverboatman and take it out for a spin. Even with old eyes it is a pretty fine shooter. Aim low at 100yds. Might want to look at one of these... in way of a non-invasive fix (keep the original rear T sight handy). Note mojo might need some fitting.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...ghost-ring-sight-swedish-mauser-38-steel-blue

 

[Float Pilot]

Plus there are some non-destructive scout scope mounts that can be mounted to the rear sight base. the Dutchman on the Swede Mauser collectors sight has made some nice ones.


I mounted a taller front sight blade on mine ( Brownells Mauser sight blade) and adjusted it so I could hold a 6 O'clock hold on standard NRA 100 yard targets. Our local Mauser match is only at 100 yards. Standing, knelling and prone..

I use either an m/38 or m/96.... My lovely bride of many years uses her Swedish Cavalry Carbine.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=162426&d=1333950987

 

[I6turbo]

That is a beautiful rifle!

 

[303tom]

I believe riverboatman said in his initial post a Husqvarna and with a 646XXX serial that'd make it a '42 mfg I think which precludes a CG or an Obie in this case.

Clean that Swede up riverboatman and take it out for a spin. Even with old eyes it is a pretty fine shooter. Aim low at 100yds. Might want to look at one of these... in way of a non-invasive fix (keep the original rear T sight handy). Note mojo might need some fitting.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/87...ghost-ring-sight-swedish-mauser-38-steel-blue

The Husqvarna M38 would have a stock disk like this one, not a 2 screw disk............

 

[riverboatman]

Here are some photos of the rifle if anyone is interested. I have an old digital camera so some of them aren't the greatest. I can't wait to take it out for a test firing. I really do appreciate the info you've given me as I would have probably not known about the collectibility of the weapon. I told my son-in-law where to look for the numbers on the M96 that I gave him and he was going to check it today to see if they are all correct on that one. I wish now that I'd have bought a few more of these when I had the opportunity. Especially for $65 a piece back then.

 

[303tom]

It is a Husqvarna alright, bet if you take that disk out you will find three holes...............