What rifles for a WWII battle rifle collection?

[DMK]

It's my understanding that the Mosin-Nagant M38 and M44 are both considered carbines, not MBR's. Is that not correct?

Wheeler

I'd agree with that. However, they do shoot the same full power rifle cartridge as the 91/30 rifle unlike the U.S. carbine which shoots what is basically a hot pistol cartridge. And the M44 was a standard frontline issue weapon, replacing the 91/30 in issue. The M38 was a rear area carbine which is why the M44 has a bayonette and the M38 does not.

If you want to get technical, the 98K is a Karabiner(carbine) as is the Swiss K-31.

Maybe they are main battle carbines?

 

[cracked butt]

Gew-41
Gew-43
Vz-24

 

[cracked butt]

And the M44 was a standard frontline issue weapon, replacing the 91/30 in issue. The M38 was a rear area carbine which is why the M44 has a bayonette and the M38 does not.

The M38 was a rear area rifle as in 'political officer who shoots you in the back ' rifle for not charging off quickly enough to a heroic death for the Soviet Union.

 

[Gewehr98]

Heck, I'd consider both the M38 and M44 Mosin-Nagants as MBRs.

Massively Bruising Recoilers.

That 1903A4 was the rifle that Bubba almost totally destroyed, yes. Some would call it throwing good money after bad when I found that neglected receiver.

Here's a little-known carbine that served in WWII via the Pacific Theater:



And one shouldn't have a WWII collection without this little fellow:

 

[Cosmoline]

Nice Dutch boy! Shiny.

 

[Gabe]

Czech Mauser was captured and used by the Germans, it was also sold to China and used by both the Chinese and Japanese in that theater.

Belgian Mausers also saw use in Europe and Asia.

 

[jefnvk]

IIRC the M38's or 44's were issued to Artillery guys, among others.

 

[DMK]

Massively Bruising Recoilers.

That 1903A4 was the rifle that Bubba almost totally destroyed, yes. Some would call it throwing good money after bad when I found that neglected receiver.

I think it was money well spent. :^)

What is that Dutch carbine? Very interesting. It looks very handy.

Almost forgot about the JC No.5 too! I think I'm going to build me a replica from a badly bubba'd No.4 I have.

 

[Flyboy73]

I just added a Carcano, M1 Carbine and Mk 5 jungle carbine to my WWII collection.

Brion

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Don't forget the gun that helped keep the Germans out of Switzerland: Schmidt Rubin K31

"When the German Kaiser asked in 1912 what the quarter of a million Swiss militiamen would do if invaded by a half million German soldiers, a Swiss replied: shoot twice and go home."

 

[SMLE]

The 1903 saw much wider service in WWII than the '03A3, simply because there were a few million '03s in service or on hand when the balloon went up.
Of course one you get one, then you need to get one made by each of the other manufacturers too.

 

[Sharpdogs]

This is a great thread. I have started collecting WWII rifles. Unfortunately I ran out of room in the safe. Now I have to start collecting WWII pistols. They take up less room. I just wish the Lugers weren't so expensive.

 

[iamkris]

Here's my start on my WWII collection...and poor photography

 

[GunGoBoom]

Anyone mention Tommy Gun yet? And yeah, Gew, tell us more about the Dutch carbine please...

 

[Gewehr98]

That 6.5x53R Dutch Cavalry Carbine...

Was manufactured by Steyr in 1896, with a serial number of "106Z". It has one of the smoothest bolt actions I've ever cycled, very much on par with the U.S. Krag rifle from the same time period. The stock is asymmetrical, with the wood on the left (horsey) side extended down to cover the left side of the box magazine. A well-stamped cartouche on the stock indicates the gun was arsenal refurbished at Hembrug in 1939.

In the safe where this one is kept, I have a stablemate, a Dutch Artillery Carbine, with similar dimensions. I shoot both of them on a regular basis, using 1918 vintage brass that happens to be Boxer primed.

The third and fourth rounds from the left are 6.5x53R Dutch Mannlicher. The ballistically identical 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schonauer round is the fifth round from the left.



A couple carbines for sale here:

http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesMannlicher.html

From American Rifleman, April 1952:

50 Years Ago

DUTCH MANNLICHER CARBINE-The ideal low priced door gun

$22.50 Light, short, easy to handle and carry. Clip holds five rounds. Calibre 6.5x53. rimmed (.256 rimmed) Weight, 7 1/2 lbs. Overall length, approximately 37 1/2"; barrel length, 18 1/2" legal length with extension. Rear sight adjustable from 400 to 2,000 meters. Action, 88 Steyr Mannlicher Bolt Type, good condition complete with one clip. $22.50

DUTCH MANNLICHER RIFLE - Same calibre and action as carbine. Weight, 9 1/4 lbs., Overall length, 51". Barrel length, 31 1/4". Only $18.75

SPORTING AMMO for Dutch Mannlichers; 6.5 x 53 R soft-nosed, 160-grain bullet made by Kynoch Works, 20 rounds. $3.80

WINFIELD ARMS CORP.

Distributor for Western Arms Corp.

Western Arms CORP.

(April 1952)

The barrel length on my Dutch Model 1895 Cavalry Carbine above is a shade over 17". For a while, short carbines could only be imported if they had a permanent muzzle extension added to lengthen the barrel to 18.5", so one will find Dutch Mannlichers and Swedish M94 carbines so modified. I don't know when the Treasury Dept. or ATF successors changed the ruling, my carbine shows no evidence of the muzzle extension, nor does it have any import markings.

A short history on the use of these rifles and carbines during WWII:

http://users2.ev1.net/~lertsman/rifle3.html

 

[DMK]

DUTCH MANNLICHER CARBINE-The ideal low priced door gun

Not anymore!

This is a great thread. I have started collecting WWII rifles. Unfortunately I ran out of room in the safe.

I know the feeling. I've gotten very creative about stacking my rifles in the safe. If I take them all out, it takes me about a half hour to get them in right order again to fit them back in there.

Now I have to start collecting WWII pistols. They take up less room. I just wish the Lugers weren't so expensive.

I've been considering that too, but man, all the WWII pistols are so expensive with the exception of the Nagant.