Hey folks ..... 
There's been a lot of good threads about Swedish M38 short rifles on here lately, primarily Husqvarna's made in the 1940's. All have the traditional "bent bolts" of the short rifle series, but I thought I'd post a reference thread for Swede collectors, who might come across a straight bolt M38. Some early Husqvarna true M38's were manufactured that way (love to find one of those), but the majority of these straight bolt Swedish short rifles are the original M96 long rifles that were cut-down and shortened between 1938 and 1940, before Husqvarna began production. They often referred to as M96/38's but I understand the Swedish army really didn't differentiate between them and the regular bent bolt Husqvarna's.
I was fortunate to buy one of these old girls from another CGN member a few months ago. It's "all matching" right down to the firing pin ....
Besides it's unique straight bold configuration, the particular one I bought is also unusual, in that it was not originally manufactured as M96 rifle by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori. Rather it's one of the first year's 1899 production of M96's that was augmented by the German company, Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf a/N. They only made them under contract for Sweden for the first two years of M96 production, 1899 and 1900. They manufactured a total of 40,733, of which 16,246 were made in 1899. (Source is Jones' book "Crown Jewels").
The other unique thing about this particular M96/38, is that it was inspected by Inspector Gustaf Fredrik Valdemar Fredenberg, born Dec 19, 1862. First Officer's Commission: Oct 30, 1885. Besiktningofficer at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori from May 2, 1894 - Dec 31, 1902. He was the very first Inspection Officer in Sweden.
1899 M96/38 Swedish Short Rifle (Mfg by Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf a/N)
(Converted by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori 1938-1940)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
1899 M96/38 Swedish Short Rifle (lots more detailed pics ... click here)http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/swedishservicerifles/1899m9638serial23669
So, the next time you are walking the floor at a gun show and you see a short barrel Swedish Mauser with a straight bolt, don't assume there's something wrong with it. It just might be worth a more then the gun show seller realizes.
Regards,
Badger
There's been a lot of good threads about Swedish M38 short rifles on here lately, primarily Husqvarna's made in the 1940's. All have the traditional "bent bolts" of the short rifle series, but I thought I'd post a reference thread for Swede collectors, who might come across a straight bolt M38. Some early Husqvarna true M38's were manufactured that way (love to find one of those), but the majority of these straight bolt Swedish short rifles are the original M96 long rifles that were cut-down and shortened between 1938 and 1940, before Husqvarna began production. They often referred to as M96/38's but I understand the Swedish army really didn't differentiate between them and the regular bent bolt Husqvarna's.
I was fortunate to buy one of these old girls from another CGN member a few months ago. It's "all matching" right down to the firing pin ....
Besides it's unique straight bold configuration, the particular one I bought is also unusual, in that it was not originally manufactured as M96 rifle by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori. Rather it's one of the first year's 1899 production of M96's that was augmented by the German company, Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf a/N. They only made them under contract for Sweden for the first two years of M96 production, 1899 and 1900. They manufactured a total of 40,733, of which 16,246 were made in 1899. (Source is Jones' book "Crown Jewels").
The other unique thing about this particular M96/38, is that it was inspected by Inspector Gustaf Fredrik Valdemar Fredenberg, born Dec 19, 1862. First Officer's Commission: Oct 30, 1885. Besiktningofficer at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori from May 2, 1894 - Dec 31, 1902. He was the very first Inspection Officer in Sweden.
1899 M96/38 Swedish Short Rifle (Mfg by Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf a/N)
(Converted by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori 1938-1940)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
1899 M96/38 Swedish Short Rifle (lots more detailed pics ... click here)http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/swedishservicerifles/1899m9638serial23669
So, the next time you are walking the floor at a gun show and you see a short barrel Swedish Mauser with a straight bolt, don't assume there's something wrong with it. It just might be worth a more then the gun show seller realizes.
Regards,
Badger
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