Any more specifics on the condition?
Like the wood, is it cracked, dinged, chopped down, etc.
Was it sporterized? Is the barrel the original 29"? Or was it a 96/38, shortened by the Swedes on purpose? Maybe it was an original 38 Swede, which came from the factory in a shorter form.
Do the numbers match? (For $200, I doubt it, and wouldn't sweat it, anyway)
What's the name and date on the forward receiver ring, Carl Gustaf, Husqvarna, Oberndorf?
The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is a low-pressure round, dating back to the 94 Swedish Mauser Carbine, running about the same pressures as the earlier 7x57 and 7.65 Mausers. It's a phenomenal cartridge in it's own right, the 6.5mm bore diameter tends to give bullets unbelievably good ballistics, even with the non-magnum velocities as delivered by the 94 and 96 Swedish Mauser rifles.
The 96 Swedish Mauser is a thing of beauty, you won't find many rifles so well-crafted for such a low price in this day and age. The 96 Mauser action was very similar to the 93 and 95 Mausers, to the point of having two locking lugs on the front of the bolt, cock-on-closing for the striker, and a smaller-diameter forward receiver ring. These earlier Mausers are referred to as "Small Ring" Mausers. They're not really optimum for cartridges that develop more pressure than their original 7.65, 7x57, and 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser rounds. (.257 Roberts and 6mm Remington, non +P loads, seem to be ok, but they're both based on the 7mm Mauser, anyway)
One thing is certain. A Swedish Mauser in good condition is surprisingly accurate, even with the tiny V-notch rear sight and barleycorn front. Recoil isn't a factor, the heaviest bullets are all of 160 grains, and they move at a rather sedate velocity compared to more powerful rounds like the .30-06.
The next step in the evolution of the Mauser bolt action family was the 98 Mauser. This action had a larger receiver ring, different metallurgy, a third safety lug towards the rear of the bolt, different gas breeching system, and cock-on-opening for the striker. The 98 Mauser is referred to as the "Large Ring" Mauser. The action was considerably stronger, being designed for the higher-pressure 8x57 Mauser round, and as such, is entirely suitable for similar rounds like the .30-06, .308 Winchester, and cartridges that run in the same pressure range. Many 98 Mauser actions found their way into belted magnums, like the .308 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, etc. Mauser also made commercial versions of the 98 Mauser rifle, they are some of the more sought-after fine sporting arms, I'd give parts of my anatomy to have an early Square-Bridge Magnum Mauser in something like .416 Rigby. (But we all can dream, can't we?)
Go back and take another look at that 96 Swede. The blueing isn't the greatest, but even that wouldn't dissuade me from grabbing it at $200, if everything else is intact and in good shape. Let us know how it checked out. Everybody really should have a 96 Swedish Mauser in their collection.
