Got my first Milsurp!

H

heybert

CGN Regular
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MD of Foothills, Alberta
Okay, I lied. I have an M1 carbine, a Garand and used to have a Russian SKS. But this is my first non semi-auto!

But this morning, Canada Post brought me a really nice M38. I know nothing about them. This one is made by Husqvarna (Husqvarna Vapenfabriks 1942) and the wood really looks good. Now, I need help from the experts. What is wrong
(if any) with this rifle? I just want to know if it's been altered in any way. Hopefully the pics are good enough to see any discrepancies. Also, do these come with a bayonet? All numbers seem to match.
 
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Send it to me and I'll do a detailed inspection and rigorous testing on it. :p

Looks fine to me, but what do I know. The rifle looks to be in nice shape. Tough to tell from the pics whether it has been "restored" or not.

Welcome to the bolt action side! :)
 
The best way to distinguish if the rifle has been mucked with is to check the stock at the tang and around the trigger guard. The stock should be slightly proud of the metal and have well defined lines. The links below were where I started, but there are several CGN members who are quite well versed in these rifles as well.

htt p://dutchman.rebooty.com/CG1905.html

htt p://dutchman.rebooty.com/wood_to_metal.html
 
I'm not aware of the swedes putting anything under the buttplate, what knuckles is thinking of is the soldier ID tag present under the buttplate of many Swiss rifles.
 
The original finish has been removed and the stock is sanded. The refinish, not by REMEs, is obvious by the color of the stock and the soft corners on the finger grips.

Still it looks good. If the serial numbers are matching that is a bonus.

The refinished stock does take away from its value.
 
bearhunter said:
The original finish has been removed and the stock is sanded. The refinish, not by REMEs, is obvious by the color of the stock and the soft corners on the finger grips.

Still it looks good. If the serial numbers are matching that is a bonus.

The refinished stock does take away from its value.
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Didn't really think that old surplus rifles had value other than what you pay for them
 
heybert said:
Didn't really think that old surplus rifles had value other than what you pay for them
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To show you what you're missing out on, That rifle was worth at least a couple of hundred dollars more before being refinished than it is now.

If the numbers of the parts all match and if the stock disc is original to the rifle it would have been valued in the $450 range. As is it's worth about $250 and has lost any collector value.

It should be a great shooter though.
 
heybert said:
Didn't really think that old surplus rifles had value other than what you pay for them
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A Long Branch sniper in unissued condition that sold for $79.95 in 1968, will now sell for 12 grand.
$275 M-1 rifles bring $1200 or more.
Yeah, they are worth what you pay for them, and the value changes. Alter one, and not so much.
 
nice rifle as said looks to have original finish removed ,maybe takes away some of its collector value but should be a good shooter.Enjoy it ,the 6.5 x55 is a awesome round and the m38 is a very nice rifle
 
I had one and my stock was darker remove the stock and verify that all serial numbers match If I remember correctly the one I had had a serial number on the stock
 
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