Well it finally happened.

skeet · #1 05-23-2010, 12:19 AM

I was at a yard sale today and bought an ol military rifle. It's a Swedish Mauser. Dated 1910 on the receiver ring and is or seems to be all matching numbers. This thing is in exc condition. Paid a bit much(150 bucks) but got 6 boxes of Norma ammo and a couple boxes of some surplus ammo. Bore is really good and since I don't really mess with military stuff too much..wondering why the darn thing is threaded at the end of the bbl. Any hints from you military guys?? Thing has a fairly long bbl of about 24 inches although that is a guess as I haven't even measured it yet. Gonna have to shoot it before it goes down the road. Them Swedes took care of their equipment.. I'll try to take a pic before I sell it..

Buckstopper · #2 05-23-2010, 01:24 PM

Hello, I'm an occasional visitor and rare poster to this forum, but I thought your post deserved a response. 150.00 for a Swedish 96 mauser in excellent condition is considered grand theft in many circles. They easily go for 3-4 times that much. They are known as one of the most accurate bolt action military rifles ever made. Remember the Swedes never went to war. They were mainly used for target shooting. I suspect the threaded muzzle was for some sort of recoil compensator. It is not uncommon in target competition to have a recoil compensator.

Adam Helmer · #3 05-23-2010, 01:42 PM

skeet,

I understand the threaded muzzle was for the blank firing adapter or to ensure the wooden training bullets were shredded upon firing; maybe both.

I have a M96 rifle and a M38 short rifle with threaded muzzles. I found a four-fluted muzzlebreak that screws on, covers the threads and looks really neat.

Adam

Gil Martin · #4 05-23-2010, 05:45 PM

You did very well. Is the rifle still in military condition with a 24 inch barrel, or has it been sporterized? The Model 1896 had a longer barrel. The Model 1938 had a shorter barrel of about 24 inches. Just curious. All the best...
Gil

Mr. 16 gauge · #5 05-23-2010, 09:25 PM

I had one that I bought back in the late 80's that I got for less than $100....thing shot a group that I could cover with a dime. Problem was, it was 9" high at 100 yards, and I couldn't make the sights go any lower. That, and the fact that ammo (Norma) was $56/20 rds caused me to sell the rifle......and I always kicked myself for doing that.

Later, in the early 90s I bought one from a guy that was going out of business.....had a table full of 'em at a gun show, so I picked the one with the best looking bore. Sporterized it (no, I have no regrets), and it has made a great hunting rifle ever since.....and ammo is more plentiful and cheaper now.
Doesn't shoot as accurately as the first one, but it is still quite accurate. Date on the rifle was 1909.
The threaded muzzle (I was told) was for a grenade adaptor......it was used with blank cartridges. There was someone out there who was selling 'caps' that screwed on to the threads to give it a bit better appeal.
That's my 2 cents, FWIW.........

skeet · #6 05-23-2010, 11:00 PM

The rifle is still in original military condition. I also mis spoke about the bbl length. It is the 29.6 inch one. I did a little checkin around and what Adam said about the threaded bbl was correct. It was for a bullet shredder for the wooden training rounds..so the guys couldn't put splinters in their officers. LOL. Looked in the vault for a bit and came up with a stripper clip loaded with those same wooden bullets. Always wondered what they fit. This is the 2nd Carl Gustaf I have now. The other one is a Carl Gustaf Model 1940. This rifle has Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfactori 1910 on the receiver ring... Has caartouches all over the place..stock included.. Seems to be all matching numbers... Guy is giving me the bayonet and scabbard too.

Adam Helmer · #7 05-24-2010, 12:45 PM

skeet,

You have a Model 1896 Rifle. I have some, but prefer the handier M1938 Short Rifle.

Adam

skeet · #8 05-24-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Helmer

skeet,

You have a Model 1896 Rifle. I have some, but prefer the handier M1938 Short Rifle.

Adam

I was pretty certain I had a 96.. I am just amazed that I actually bought the darn thing. I'm really not into military surplus arms. If I had to have one I am glad it is a Swede.. Well made and well taken care of. And a much nicer caliber than the 8 mm..in my opinion. Now if I can find a stock for the 03A4 I have..I'll have all I need.

As far as military that is

06shooter · #9 05-26-2010, 01:15 AM

Skeet

the Fulton-armory.com has some 03 stocks and hand guards listed.