Question on Swedish 96 6.5 Mauser made in 1942

[Palehorseman]

Was in the gun shop today and they had a beautiful (like new) Swedish 96 Mauser made in 1942 for 350 bucks. Is that a decent price?

I was surprised the fit and finish was that good for a war time rifle, then realized that Sweden was a supposedly neutral country.

 

[Cosmoline]

That sounds like an M38 carbine. $350 is a good price if it's intact (no scope mounts, stock intact, no Bubbafication)

 

[Palehorseman]

That sounds like an M38 carbine. $350 is a good price if it's intact (no scope mounts, stock intact, no Bubbafication

Not a carbine. full sized rifle, same size as one marked 1902 right beside it on the rack. Clean as a whistle, no mickey mousing whatsoever, just looks new.

I am not that familar with the Swede 96, but If it sounds like a good deal, will call the shop and have them put it back for me to pick up next time in town. (about 40 miles way, don't get in that often, but know them and do deals.

 

[NCsmitty]

Here's a phrase from wikipedia.

Standard production at Carl Gustafs continued until 1925, but approximately 18,000 m/96 rifles were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB during World War II for civilian marksmanship training.

This is besides the production of the '38 short rifles being produced then.

If it is a Husqvarna '42 M96, I would grab that rifle in a heartbeat.



NCsmitty

 

[Float Pilot]

Yeap,, Husqvarna made M/96s during the WWII time period. There are also occasional rifles made from replacement receivers that will rarely pop up. And a few made by armorers as part of their graduation from the armory course. Those will often have odd later dates and are worth big bucks.

Just exactly where is this gun-shop??

then realized that Sweden was a supposedly neutral country.

They did increase production because they were not so sure they could stay out of it.
Plus they did have (Volunteer) troops fighting in Finland against the Russians until 1944.

 

[Palehorseman]

Just exactly where is this gun-shop??

In AZ.

See you are in AK, we lived seven years down by Moose Pass on the Kenai (Mile Post 36, Seward hwy) back in the 1970s, worked offshore over in Cook Inlet.

Thanks to all for the info on the Swedes. I will be looking for the best cast boolit loads, as the 6.5 is supposed to be very accurate with cast.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

watch what kind of loads you run thru it, they werent exactly made for reloads of today.

 

[blackwalnut]

I have a model 38 short rifle made in 1942 by Husqvarna. Mine has a turned down bolt handle which is suppossed to have been made for cavalry use? Mine is in beautiful condition and of course original. I have only used 140 and 160 grain jacketed bullets in it. The 160s are Hornady Roundnose softpoints and it is quite accurate at 100 yards with this bullet. I reload for mine and also a custom FN with a Douglas barrel. If you can get it go for it.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Sounds like a fair deal.

 

[Float Pilot]

Hmm, AZ, good place,, If I still had relatives living there I would be racing you to that rifle. Husky made M/96s are very desirable for Swede collectors. They used better workmanship on those than the general issue m/38s they were also making at the time.

All Husqvarna made m/38 rifles had turned down bolts. It has nothing to do with Cavalry use, since the m/94 carbines were still issued for that purpose. The turned down bolt was keeping up with the other bolt action rifles of the time. (Kar98, Springfield, Enfield etc.)
It keeps the bolt slightly out of your field of view when opened.
m/38s found with straight bolts are the ones made from modified m/96 rifles.
Husqvarna made, turn-down bolts, are also found as armorer replacement bolts.
More than a few shooting club m/96 rifles have shown up with Husky made turned down bolts.

My m/96 is a German made Oberndorf from 1900. It was rebuilt at the Carlsborg (now Karlsborg) armory and rebarreled in the 1970s. It was a shooting club rifle. See attached group photo

I would suggest buying the book (The Crown Jewels) by Dana Jones. The other popular book about Swede Mausers is garbage.

Then head over to the Swedish Military Rifle collectors site on Gun Boards.
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?49-Swedish-Military-Firearms-Forum

Then look over the website run by the Dutchman:
http://dutchman.rebooty.com/

 

[Cosmoline]

Oh wow, in that case grab it!

 

[Storm]

I have an M96 in beautiful original condition that I paid $260 for, and I just picked up a 1943 Husqvarna M38 that I also paid $260 for in beautiful original condition except for some dings in the walnut stock. I considered both prices to be excellent. Considering the desirability of the Swedish Mausers and the relative rarity of the one that you are considering I wouldn't hesitate to pay $350.

 

[jkingrph]

I have not been fortunate enough to find a Husky, other than a beautiful little modle 46 sporter. I have several standard mod 96's and one of the mod 38, a cut down oberndorf mauser, 1900 vintage with a two digit serial number.