Description
This Swedish Mauser has matching numbers on the bolt, barrel, receiver & butt plate. It was originally an M96 which was arsenal converted as part of the trend toward shorter service rifles. The Model 1938 rifle (6,5 mm Gevär m/38) was adopted in 1938 as part of a worldwide trend (which began just before WWI) towards service rifles that were shorter in overall length than a standard infantry rifle, but longer than a cavalry carbine. Contemporary examples such as the Mauser Karabiner 98k, Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No I Mk III, MAS-36 & M1903 Springfield were all noticeably shorter than a standard late 19th century infantry rifle & with another war on the horizon the Swedes felt it would be expedient to adopt a shorter rifle for use by mechanized troops & the Navy.
The original M/1938 rifles (Type I) were converted M/1896 (M96) rifles with barrels cut down by 5.5″ (139mm) & almost always with the original straight bolt handles as this has. These rifles are often referred to by collectors as “M96-38” rifles, but there was never an official designation for this conversion. Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori converted 55,080 M96 long rifles to M1938 short rifles in 1938-1940. This is one of these.
We know this because of the date & because the majority of purpose-built M1938’s (Type II) had turned-down bolt handles & were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB, with production ending in 1944.
This example was originally manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany in 1900 as seen stamped on the receiver. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper & vanadium, a product then noted for its strength & corrosion resistance.
These rifles were used by all arms of the Swedish military during WW2, along with the Finish Army in their war against the USSR.
It is in good overall condition as can be seen in the photos. The wood has the usual markings from service life which we believe adds character. The metal work is clean & has a nice even patina with the bolt still very clean & bright. Stock disc on these rifles provides details of the condition of the rifle according to the armourers. The disc on this rifle shows the bore is rated as Condition 1 & the wood as Condition 3.
This example is correctly fitted with the SM sikte F-Ram micrometer rear sight insert which M96 rifles which were converted to M38 specs were fitted with. The sight insert was needed because the original M96 rear sight was calibrated for a 29.1” barrel. The shorter sight radius & lost muzzle velocity of the 24.5” barrel negated the calibrations on the original M96 rear sight ladder. It was cheaper & more expedient for the Swede’s to replace the rear sight slide & lock with the insert. This is good because it confirms this is the original sight & not a replacement from an M96 as many M96-38’s rear sights are.
This is a very good example of these popular military surplus rifles which are known for their accuracy & as such are very popular for military service rifle comps plus ammunition is still commercially available for reasonable prices.
Comes complete with correct bayonet which is also in great unmolested condition.
Please view all of the photos carefully as they form the main description & override all others so feel free to ask for more as we have taken plenty.
