Swedish Mauser?

[RUTTERSKIP]

Hello, I found this site while researching this particular gun. I did go to the new members section and posted I am hoping somebody may be familiar with this gun. I will list some of the markings on it!

CARL GUSTAFS STADS GEVARSFAKTORI 1900
OG 70559
559 Stamped on the bolt,both barrel clamps, and butt plate
On the brass round plate...Torpedam, Overslag has small triangles over some of the #'s
Has a paper chart embedded into the stock by the plate
Near the end of the barrel it has KBI INC HBG PA 6.5x55 SWEDEN M/38

Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[Jim Watson]

Carl Gustav Government Rifle Factory (made) 1900 AD
Serial number
Last three digits of serial number,. Matching is good, especially the bolt.
Disk shows correction for spitzer bullet with sights calibrated for roundnose, barrel bore diameter and condition.
I ASSUME the chart is detailed sight settings.
KBI importer, Harrisburg, PA. Caliber 6.5x55, made in Sweden. (Required on imported guns by BATF)
Model of 1938 (altered from Model 1896).

Edit to add. Read up at. http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/faq_se_rifles.htm

 

[boom boom]

It is probably a model 1896 Swedish Mauser (receiver was made in Sweden's Gustafs Arsenal) that was converted to the model 38 just before or early during WWII, the paper chart indicates the corrections for the rear sight setting depending on which of the two issued Swedish 6.5x55 mm ammo it used.

The Model 96 used a 29 inch barrel (close enough for inch conversion) with a long stock accompanying that barrel length and the 96/38 (Although I don't think the Swedes used that nomenclature) conversion used shorter 24 inch barrels (once again close enough) with a shorter stock. The triangles designate the barrel condition. From the way that you described it, the rifle might be in original military condition. If it is, whatever you do, don't sporterize it by cutting the barrel, drilling and tapping the receiver, chopping the stock and handguards, etc as you will lose quite a bit of value. Most Swedes' parts as issued were matched by receiver serial number (last three on some pieces like barrel bands and buttplate, complete serial number on other parts such as the stock barrel channel, etc. Unmonkeyed with rifles in issue condition start at around $500 and on up from a military collector depending on condition, matching serial numbers, rarity, etc. The KBI was Michael Kassner's import company at the time that later changed its name to Charles Daly (apparently went out of business in 2010) but imported quite a bit of arms from around the world.

Here is a good website to explore Swedish Mausers with pictures http://dutchman.rebooty.com/

 

[RUTTERSKIP]

Thanks for the info guys!! Lots of good info on both links!

 

[boom boom]

Thanks for the info guys!! Lots of good info on both links!

Oh, btw, don't hot rod it if you reload for it--keep within the parameters of the original military ammo and you'll be ok if the rifle is sound. The receiver is carbon steel and is inferior in gas-handling from a cartridge separation compared to the later 98 receiver. Hot loads can also cause receiver lug setback as those Mauser receivers have a soft center that is case hardened. These are also great rifles for shooting cast boolits in similar to the Krag's reputation--check out http://castboolits.gunloads.com and their military/cb loads subforum. Should find lots of info.

Slamfire (a THR commenter), the Dutchman (his website is above but he also comments on other forums), etc. have documented kabooms on those receivers if you look around on forums complete with pics. Swedish steel and workmanship are pretty good but the state of technology simply has advanced beyond the design.

Kimber (believe they were in Oregon at the time) emerging from bankruptcy bought a bunch of Swedish Mauser receivers to sporterize them into modern higher pressure cartridges. Did not work well for either Kimber's rep at the time or some of those customers buying them.

Here is an old THR thread,
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/mauser-96-38-cut-down-or-new-barrel.810767/
And this is for ammo
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/proper-ammo-for-a-mauser-m-96-in-6-5x55.468812/