Do I have a 96 or a 38?

[CoryTheCowboy]

Hey,

I was just wondering if I have a Mauser 96 or 38. It was given to me as a 96, but when I was talking to a gunsmith, he said it was a 38. I just was wondering what I really had. I know it's a bubba whatever it is, but the barrel is pretty shot, and I saw Tradex has M38 barrels, and that was what got me ot thinking. Here's some pictures,

Thanks, and if more specific pictures would help, I'll do my best.

Cory

 

[eos]

Your action is that of the M96. An M38 barrel would be appropriate as many were converted to M38 configuration.

 

[Baribal]

Cory
It's not a M38 for sure, since these were only made by HVA (circa 1941-1944). Now, since you miss the bolt pics, it is impossible to tell you if it's a M94 or M96 (and it also can be a M96/38 retrofit)

Here are the major differences;
The M94 is the carbine type, short barreled (450mm), with bented bolt. Makers were both Oberndof and Carl Gustav)
The M96 is the long "infantry" rifle, long barreld (740mm), with straight bolt (makers Oberndof and Carl Gustav).
The M96/38 are rebarreled M96 (to 610mm), sometimes found with bented bolts (but most of the time, with straight bolts).
The M38 was the intermediate size barrel (610mm), bented bolt, only made by Husqvarna.

For the commercial Swedish Mausers, in it's early production (pre-WWII 1927-1937) HVA used Carl Gustav made M94 and for the later (1942-1943) they used their own made M38 actions. Later in 1944, they introduced their M38 action with solid wall (also called "commercial") for a couple of years only.

For your info, all the M94/96/38 used the same thread, means, Dia. 0.980" Dia X 0.645" deep X 12 TPI, 55 Deg Withwoth type.
The swap must be done by a competent gunsmith, because the headspace must be reajusted and the military sights (if used) re-sweat on the right position. You also can buy a commercial barrel and have it fitted to your receiver.

BTW it is really uncommon to find shot-out barrels in 6.5X55 SE....

Hope this helps.

 

[CoryTheCowboy]

Ok, so if all the barrels use the same threads, it should fit my rifle? I assumed that I'd need to go to a gunsmith for the switch. Thanks for the info

Cory

 

[sunray]

"...assumed that I'd need to go to a gunsmith for the switch..." Got the barrel vise, action wrench and headspace guages?

 

[Andy]

The receiver is from a m/94 Carbine. The M/38 barrel will "fit".

 

[polaris]

You got a heavily bubba'd/messed with 96...
good news: the 38 barrel will fit, however I am not convinced it would be worth the effort..