M38 Swedish Mauser
- Thread starter johnnyreb65
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I am travelling and do not have my "Crown Jewels" book - did Carl Gustaf arsenal in Sweden make any m38 rifles - or were they all m96-38 conversions? Somehow, I am thinking the only "m38" rifles were made by Husqvarna - but maybe Carl Gustaf armoury made a small number of them??
OP - that book has tables that will show - based on serial number and Inspector Initials - whether the rifle was originally built at CG as a m96 or as an m38 - that is presuming there is a CG crest and stamping across the top of the front receiver ring.
You asked about the value - I guess maybe a good example about what you know about it, and what the potential buyer would know about it, and what was truly produced in the past or not. I believe that CG produced circa 515,000 m96 over the years - I am not sure how many they converted, nor how many m38 were produced by Husqvarna - but those tables in the book will tell you that. And the Inspector Initials and serial number on your rifle will tell you where that one fits in.
OP - that book has tables that will show - based on serial number and Inspector Initials - whether the rifle was originally built at CG as a m96 or as an m38 - that is presuming there is a CG crest and stamping across the top of the front receiver ring.
You asked about the value - I guess maybe a good example about what you know about it, and what the potential buyer would know about it, and what was truly produced in the past or not. I believe that CG produced circa 515,000 m96 over the years - I am not sure how many they converted, nor how many m38 were produced by Husqvarna - but those tables in the book will tell you that. And the Inspector Initials and serial number on your rifle will tell you where that one fits in.
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I think you are right on for "asking Price"; selling price maybe a bit lower. If all matching, maybe a bit more, but rifles with every part matching are rare.
Not sure how a straight bolt conversion vs one built with a bent bolt would differ in vlaue. I waited a long time and finally got one for a good price; unfortunately, it had been professionally drilled and tapped for scope mounts, with the holes plugged with slot head set screws. It was wearing a BadAce no drill mount with a Bushnell long eye relief scout scope. The original tangent sight came with it, and I put it back on. Other than that, the rifle and the wood is in impeccable condition and really shoots. I wanted a nice shooter, and that is what I got. I still have the mount and the scope and have not decided if I want to build a scout rifle with one that has been "molested" or if I should sell the mount and scope. It's the one on the left, obviously, next to my M96
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- Location
- Western Manitoba
Maybe late - we are home now - as per that "Crown Jewels" book - page 148 - says that CG converted 55,080 of the m96 to the m38 - (that number is attributed to FFV, whomever they are??) - from 1938 to 1940. Between 1941 and 1944, Husqvarna built 65,588 m38 - in other sections of that book, it says that initial Husqvarna production of m38 may have used straight handle bolts from CG Armoury, until the "turned down" bolts, like on Husqvarna sporter rifles, were approved by the Swede military. That book also says that at no time did Swede military distinguish between a "made as" m38 (by Husqvarna) or an m96 that was converted to m38 standard (by CG Arsenal) - all were "m38" in so far as Swede military was concerned.
Thanks. I will take a look at my rifle more closely regarding date etc..
Ok so the rifle says Husqvarna Vapenfabrik Aktiebolag 1942 ser#643579... It's a mix of two or three rifle some crowns are tilted some are straight.
barrel wear indicator is in the 1,2,3 triangle.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
"barrel wear" - perhaps you do realize the last time a Swede military Armourer looked at that rifle might have been 1950's - like 70 + years ago - so what is stamped on that medallion may or may not mean much for what condition that bore is in today - I do believe the brass discs are or were sold on eBay as "blanks" - stamp what you want?
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
They were using some M96 rifles up into the 70s and their refurbishment program was actually top notch. Provided the rifle is as it left their arsenals the disk will be accurate. That being said most are not in the condition they left the arsenals in. Plus other than civilian wear/usage post service, there was some unscrupulous sellers who would do things like take the disks of a high grade bore rifle and put it on a poor grade bore rifle they got for less and re-sell it based off what the new bore disk said and still sell the high condition bore rifle for standard price due to them being able to simply show the barrel was in excellent shape.
Basically bore disks is a good place to look, but not the only thing to look at. Like always check the bore yourself and if they say you can likely just scrub it better, why wouldn't they do it themselves if it would make the bore in nicer shape to sell?
A lot of the rifles we saw towards the end, were from their Civilian Marksmanship Program and some seem to be from sporting clubs.
Many of those rifles were used because ammunition was supplied to the clubs by their government and they were used until they were not as accurate as they needed to be for competitions or when parts/repairs/ammo were no longer provided because there were new rifles, chambered for whichever cartridge the present rifle adopted by the country was issuing.
Just look at some of the offerings on Intersurplus.
They took over the Tradex stocks and might even be importing more stuff.
You don't see M38 rifes in their inventory but there certainly are a lot of M96 rifles, with all sorts of "upgrades" Some have discs, most don't.
Many of those rifles were used because ammunition was supplied to the clubs by their government and they were used until they were not as accurate as they needed to be for competitions or when parts/repairs/ammo were no longer provided because there were new rifles, chambered for whichever cartridge the present rifle adopted by the country was issuing.
Just look at some of the offerings on Intersurplus.
They took over the Tradex stocks and might even be importing more stuff.
You don't see M38 rifes in their inventory but there certainly are a lot of M96 rifles, with all sorts of "upgrades" Some have discs, most don't.
Yes of course I'm aware of that, all it means is that is what condition it was in last time the military inspected it. I merely added it as part of the description. Now who knows what the history of the rifle is. It could have been inspected , rebuilt and put into reserve storage. My understanding is that the military usually does this before storing them if they plan on using them again in an emergency. I have no idea how many hands it's changed since sold as surplus. I know I've owned it at least 10 yrs and maybe put 120 rounds or so through it. At the end of the day the buyer needs to check the barrel and decide for himself.
