M38 Mauser question - something odd...

[Reaper of the apocalypse]

Happy Easter to all, I've got a question that hopefully someone knows the answer too.

This here is my M38, and all is good except... Look at the bolt handle. While it is bent, it doesn't appear to be machined that way as it should be, like on a typical M38. It looks like an M96 bolt that was heated and then bent.

Now I know this may have been done with some 96/38 conversions, however my rifle is an original, purpose built 1943 M38 Husqvarna.

But then, you might say that the bolt is simply mismatched, and is off an M96. However the numbers match the receiver, and it isn't force matched because there are no other scratched out markings of any kind on it.

Here's some pics:

 

[tiriaq]

Suspect that HVA just used up bolts that were on hand.

 

[buffdog]

.
The original M38 conversions from M96 rifles was being done by Carl Gustafs. However, with WWII starting, this was transferred to Husqvarna because Carl Gustafs started to be occupied and set up for machine guns and other weapons.

Husqvarna started to convert the M96 rifles but showed that the conversions cost was very close to the cost of a newly manufactured M38, and the Government agreed. Early Husqvarna M38 rifles had a straight bolt handle, but Husqvarna was set up for a "sporting" turned down type, so they got permission from the Government to make it a standard for the M38 rifles.

I suspect that TIRIAQ may have a point that Husqvarna used up bolts that were on hand.

 

[Lee Enfield]

Suspect that HVA just used up bolts that were on hand.

They also built a concurrent order for M.96 rifles, so why build 2 types of bolt?

 

[sail32]

Information here;

http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/rifles_se.htm#1938

 

[buffdog]

They also built a concurrent order for M.96 rifles, so why build 2 types of bolt?

Although they built the M38 and also the M96, the later production M96 HVA rifles were built more for Civilian use. However, the Government had the option of buying these rifles FROM their owners in case of War, so the M96 rifles were built to original specifications, including straight bolt handles. That way, any of these rifles that may have ended up in Military hands during an emergency was familiar to the soldier who might use it.