A Swede Mauser oddity - to me!

[Potashminer]

I received a Swede 1894 Carbine barrel today - mostly was looking for the correct carbine sights. However, there is a "bell" shaped attachment forward of the front sight, shown in this picture:



At first I thought the front sight was attached to the barrel, but a few seconds with 4/0 steel wool revealed the front sight is on a band, just like on the 1896 Swede Mausers. However, that "bell" has got me stumped. The front end is larger than the barrel diameter. Looking into the end, the rifling appears to come all the way out to that recessed internal "muzzle", shown here:



I have a NOS Swede 94 barrel (thank you TradeEx) for comparison - with that "bell" the barrel measures 17 7/8" from end to end, so add 1/8" clearance for ejector, and it would be very close to 18" exactly from rim of bell to bolt face.



I had read that someone was importing these carbines into USA and because of the US law at the time (Gun Control Act of 1968), had to add some length to the barrel to import into USA. This barrel as none of the markings indicating import into USA like I have seen on other milsurp rifle barrels.

So, pretty certain this was not a Swede military thing, not real certain why it is smaller than the sight ring, then larger than the barrel diameter?? Does anyone know what it is and what is it's purpose? Is it simply soldered on place?

 

[kawicrash]

May have been a barrel extension. There were a few different ways the extensions were installed. Some were welded, some were counter bored and pressed in.
It sure looks like it's all machined as one piece though. Never seen anything quite like it.

 

[bob347]

It looks as if it may be a flash suppressor of on a smaller scale

 

[Northshore]

Probably a barrel extension like kawicrash said. When the model 94 Swedish Mausers were first imported into the United States the 17.7 inch carbine barrel was to short as the laws at the time dictated that rifle barrels had to be 18 inches or longer.

So they added barrel extensions to make the rifles legal to import into the States.

 

[b72471]

Haven't seen that before, had 3 94s still have one, I've never come across the barrel extensions, they are out there.
Appears to be remainder of an extension.

 

[Potashminer]

Managed to find a picture on p. 54 of "The Crown Jewels" by Dana Jones - two M94's - one with extension, one without. The extension shown in that book appears to be just about same diameter as barrel - larger than the reduced diameter of the muzzle / front sight section (?), or at least the joint is visible - extension is about the same length as the bayonet mount / front sight guard's width, so 5/8"(?) extension. No bell shape to it, however.

 

[Potashminer]

And, closer inspection - as shown in my very first two pictures above - the front sight has had someone's attention. Originals would have been the inverted "V" front sight (with flat top), later changed to M41 type rectangular front post when over-hauled. This one has evidence of file work on each side of the front sight, then a glob of silver / solder (?) to make a largish, sort of round, front "bead". At age 64, I can actually see it, so maybe a way to make it work for an older guy like me. Doubt a Swedish military armourer did so, in service.

 

[Potashminer]

So, unless I can find another, or hear of someone seeing something similar, I am going to guess the "bell" was someone's attempt to make the rifle "legal" under Canadian laws - seems to fit with the alterations done to the front sight - not a Swede military thing, I don't think.