Chicom 6.5X55?

[hnter]

By wifes brother has a 6.5 Sweed mil rifle battlefield pickup. He says he picked it up in Korea (1952?) off a Chinese soldier who wouldn't have need of it ever again.
It's in very nice shape & I'd like to know it's approx value for future refrence.
NO, It's not for sale
Hnter

[Adam Helmer]

Hnter,

There are lots of 6.5mm arms and I doubt a Swede was picked up in Korea in 1952. I think a 6.5mm Jap Arisaka, from WWII occupation may have entered Chinese hands. After we positively identify your brother-in-law's 6.5 arm, we can come up with a range of values. It is difficult to appraise arms that are not in hand.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

I agree with Adam, a 6.5x55mm Swede should not have been in Korea. All the best...
Gil

[hnter]

#1, my brother in law WOULD NOT LIE.

#2, I've seen it. It is a Swede 6.5X55 not an Arisaka.

#3, It has Chicom markings.
a, Having been in the firearms business for years I have some expertice with them and the ordinance stamps/markings appeared to be authentic when I was shown it a few years ago.

#4, His older brother who also was in Korea along with his younger brother unpacked the rifle together upon its arrival from the post office.

# 5, My wife remembers seeing it and the story associated with its liberation.

Maybe it shouldn't have been in Korea but it was.

So since u 2 are obviously mistaken about its origin, I can only assume it's a very rare piece of military history and could be of some importance to military & firearms historians.

As far as it's possible value is concerned, it would appear to be almost priceless.

Thanks for your help, it's appreciated.

Hnter

[Adam Helmer]

hnter,

Yes, I agree, and Gil will probably agree also, that a 6.5 Swede is indeed a rare find in 1952 Korea. Since you did not post any marking data, I assumed it was a 6.5 Arisaka, which would likely be in Chinese hands. Will you post the rifle's markings here along with a photo?

Imagine the supply problem for the quartermaster to stock ammo for a 6.5 Swede among all the 7.62x54R Mosins, 7.7 and 6.5mm Arisakas used by the Communist forces in Korea. Your Swede surely has an interesting story it could tell.

I have no doubt you have a great store of fireams knowledge, but rest assured many other posters here are also quite knowledgeable. I do not think anyone was "mistaken" about your gun's origin based on the information given.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

hnter,
I merely asked if you could post come pictures. True, strange things can and do happen in war. I have seen a Czech VZ-24 that my neighbor brought back from Vietnam. How it got there is a good question. A 6.5x55mm Swede in Korea would be another interesting story. That does not make me or Adam mistaken about the origin of a rifle that we have never seen and has not been verified. We just had some questions. All the best...
Gil

[hnter]

I saw the rifle 3 years ago while visiting that particular brother in law. I, my wifes oldest brother (the one who unpacked it when it arrived from Korea) & the son of the bro who picked it up, spoke about it over the past Thanksgiving holiday. He asked me for an idea as to its value, I said I'd try to assertaln same.

The rifles story is well known by many relatives & friends. You'll just have to take my word on it, as it is not, nor will be for sale.

My gunsmith who knows more than I'll ever know, wasn't one bit suprised, says stranger things have occured. You can also take a look at the article in the last issue of Rifle (I think) Mag about British SMLE sniper rifles not being made just by H&H.

He11, my wifes oldest bro says he carried a 1903 Springfield 30-06 in Korea. I can't find any record of those being used in that conflict but don't doubt his honesty at all ..... again, stranger things have happened and records aren't always accurate or complete, eh? Logistics nightmare or not the rifle was in use during that conflict

Pictures are not avaliable from me due to it's being many miles from here & have no plans to visit as I get sick when I venture east of the Mississippi River.

The Chi-com Swede's story will have to wait for another day.

Hnter

[BILLY D.]

I WOULD NOT DOUBT THAT ARM BEING THERE AT ALL. I SEEN SCHMEISSERS IN 'NAM. IT WAS ALSO RUMORED THAT MANY OF THE AAA GUNS WERE MOVED IN FROM THE EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES TO SUPPORT THE GROUND WAR. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY 23'S AND 37'S WERE FURNISHED BY THE RUSSIANS TO THE NORTH KOREANS, VIETNMESE.

THE COMMIES SCROUNGED ARMS FROM WHEREVER THEY COULD FIND THEM. THEY ARE NOT BIG SPENDERS WHEN IT COMES TO WAR MACHINERY. WHAT EVER IS AVAILABLE THEY WILL MAKE IT WORK.

ONE THING I ALWAYS ADMIRED ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE WAS THEIR ABILITY TO TURN CRAP INTO A CHOCOLATE BAR. THEY WERE VERY INGENIOUS AND CRAFTY.

[Adam Helmer]

hnter,

According to Bruce Canfield, in his book of US Infantry Weapons, the 1903 Springfield was used in Korea as the sniper version of that bolt gun, the 1903A4.

As for your 6.5 Swede, I would be interested to know if it is a Model 96, 38 or 96/38.

Adam

[Cal Sibley]

Wow, you sure made my day with that one. I have several older M96 Swedish mausers in 6.5x55. They're my favorite military rifle by far. I had no idea their distribution was that wide. I sure would like to know more about their history in Asia. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal