Swede Mauser Question

[earlthegoat2]

I am searching for a Swedish Mauser and am fairly new to them. I found one locally that is a pristine 1916 Carl Gustafs M96. Matching numbers on bolt, receiver, sight, floorplate, etc. I would call it excellent but obviously restored condition.

Of course there is a caveat. Someone along the line decided this rifle would benefit from a screw on muzzle brake. Yeah I know, big WTFudge. The barrel was threaded on the outside.

Asking price was 599. Said they would take 480 out the door. I think it is still a little steep. They may come down some more. I know they just got it too.

I want a rifle to shoot so matching numbers and collectablity are not important to me. However I have no problem buying a good collectable rifle as long as I get what I pay for.

What do you guys think?

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Many Swedes have a threaded muzzle for a training device for a wooden bullet shredder. This is military original and not a bubba add on. Buy it.

 

[TAA_Model70]

I have a 6.5/55 custom that I built as a project that is exactly what you are interested in. The stock is exceptional. IT has original barrel with custom sights, Timney triger, etc..

This is an exceptional rifle. (I live in KY as well)

 

[earlthegoat2]

Did not know about the threaded barrel. Intresting.

Where are you located TAA

 

[Snowdog]

The above post is correct about the treads. My 1918 Carl Gustaf M96 had the same threads (with a brass thread protector).

I believe this attachment:



Was threaded on to allow the use of these wooden bullets:



Though you could always buy a flash suppressor (made for your M96) to protect the threads.




Photos from www.buymilitaria.com

 

[atblis]

That price is a bit high for a pretty standard model 96. $400 or less. $350 if it is really really nice.

 

[earlthegoat2]

That price is a bit high for a pretty standard model 96. $400 or less. $350 if it is really really nice.

Roger that,

I have a lead on another.

 

[Float Pilot]

As already pointed out, the threaded barrel makes it a m/96(b). The blank firing attachment shreaded the wooden bullets used in the Swedish blank ammo. Originally the Swedes and other countries just told their troops to hold the point of aim away from the opposing troops during exercises, but as you know boys will be boys and people shoot each other with the wooden bullets. So the Shreader (BFA) came along as the answer. The Swedes used plastic thread protectors which don't look so great. In the US you can buy blued steel thread caps that look OK.

$480 is rather steep for a m/96b made in 1916. Over 30,000 were made that year, making that particular year rather common. That is really a $350 rifle at most.

The Swedes rebuilt their rifles over and over, up until the 1980s, so many have brand new barrels and stocks.

I suggest you check out the for sale section of http://forums.gunboards.com/ and also go down to the bottom of the page and find the Swedish Military firearms collectors area...
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?49-Swedish-Military-Firearms-Forum

Tell them Float Pilot sent you...


The best book on Swedish Mausers is
"Crown Jewels - The Mauser in Sweden: A Century of Accuracy & Precision (Hardcover) By Dana Jones. S Sometimes folks on the Swede Rifle collectors site sell them as well as overpriced Amazon...

There are a couple other books not worth the paper they are written on...

You also need to look at this site, and at the photos to help you make an informed choice of your next Swede Mauser


http://dutchman.rebooty.com/index.html



I have been experimenting with various hand loads, both hunting and target, for the 6.5 Swede for a few years now, send me an e-mail when you start shooting yours,,,

 

[atblis]

What do you mean by restored by the way? Some of the Swedish Mausers are in such nice shape, you'd think they had been restored. If it has in fact been restored meaning stock sanded and refinished, or reblued, then $480 is definitely way too high. The brass disc on the stock should be recessed noticeably, if it is more or less flush, then the stock has been sanded.

If it happens to have a fantastic piece of wood, that also changes things.

 

[earlthegoat2]

What I mean is that I dont know a great deal about them and the finish looked too good to be original so I figured a restore had happened.

Now, since I found out the threaded barrel is genuine and the Swedes rebuilt them up until the 80s it could be a remnant of that.

 

[NCsmitty]

Take a look at gunbroker.com to see what the average Swede Mauser looks like and is going for.
The local deal in your first post sounds a bit high at $480. $350-400 sounds more like it.

I have an original M38 Husqvarna made in 1941. It has the threaded barrel with a flash hider. I also have the bayonet for it.

NCsmitty

 

[lopezni]

Cheek the bore condition. I'd offer him $400 in cash if it is any good.

 

[skidooman603]

I paid $375 for a pretty minty one a couple of months ago