New M38 info needed!

SwifTst

SwifTst

Regular
Rating - 97%
32   1   0
Location
Port Perry
After years of lusting, I finally bought an M38. Just looking for some info on this rifle. It appears to be a full length m38 convert. The disc says the bore is crap but it looks pretty much mint to me, and it shoots well! The only that I can see that don't match it the wood top cover. Anyways I love this thing, but don't know much about them. There is a T on the front and rear sight, and on the front site it has a -075 I believe. What does this mean? Thanks guys




 
The "T" is "Torped", which is Swedish for "spritzer". It means the gun has sights installed that are calibrated for the M41 spitzer bullet, which is a good thing. Particularly since the sights are regulated for 100m, not 300m.

I would not put too much int othe stock disks. Many of the more recent imports were missing the disks and owners put in whatever disk they could grab off e-bay to make the rifles look complete. Often the disks no longer match the rifle for this reason, and it may well be the case with yours.
 
Thanks good to know! I had a feeling the disc is probably not accurate because the bore is beautiful. In fact the whole barrel looks mint barely a scratch on it. This spritzer ammunition they used, what's the weight that the swedes preferred? I figure if I get something close, or bang on it should be pretty accurate. I think I might start reloading soon.. The 6.5 is very pricey!
 
Talk to Buffdog, he's the main 6.5 X 55 swede guru that I'm aware of ( but I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of at the moment)
BTW, welcome to the gang. I've a Carl Gustaff M96 & I consider the Swede's to be THE undervalued rifle in Canada to date.
A polite PM will usually bring forth a wealth of knowledge I've found. Smellie is a great wealth of Milsurp knowledge but even he will say Buffdog is the Swede guy.
 
Last edited:
The M41 cartridge had a 140gn spitzer boat-tail bullet going 800 m/s (2,625 ft/s). You might want to look for "Crown Jewels" by Dana Jones - it is THE reference for these rifles.



 
Thanks for all the info folks and thanks for the warm welcome! I've had a few milsurps; enfields sks's etc, but nothing compares to sweenie mc swede! And that's a beauty you have there
 
SwifTst said:
Thanks good to know! I had a feeling the disc is probably not accurate because the bore is beautiful. In fact the whole barrel looks mint barely a scratch on it. This spritzer ammunition they used, what's the weight that the swedes preferred? I figure if I get something close, or bang on it should be pretty accurate. I think I might start reloading soon.. The 6.5 is very pricey!
Click to expand...

From looking at your pics, the whole stock has been refinished and likely replaced.

IMHO, someone put it back into full military garb. Not exactly a bad thing though as it looks great and is likely a good shooter that you aren't going to worry about devaluing by shooting it.

Great rifle, great cartridge and great buy.
 
Thanks yeah the stock is beautiful! The pictures don't do it justice. I think it was a good but at 300 bucks. Are there any websites that I can get info on where it was made, inspected by whom or anything like that ?
 
The Original conversion was done between 1938 and 1941. Your rifle was rebarreled after 1955 and the sights probably upgraded then, so I would tend to agree that the stock disk is not the right information for this rifle. By the looks of the pictures, it almost looks like you have an ELM stock on the rifle. The top handguard has been replaced as you noted. Elm stocked rifles are not common, as they were only made in 1915 and 1916, when the Swedes were looking at alternate wood to the Walnut they had difficulty in getting due to WWI.

There should be some stamps in the wood at the wrist area, on the bottom of the stock. A good clear picture of them would help as they can give a bit more history on your rifle.

The threads on the end of the muzzle are for a blank firing attachment. The Swedes used a plastic "ring" to protect these threads.

The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge is an excellent one, with moderate recoil, excellent ballistics, and is very accurate. Reloading will bring out the best of your rifle, and help defray your costs. The LEE Deluxe three die set is a good one, as it gives you a full length sizing die, a seating die, and a neck sizing die. If you are going to use the cases in only one rifle, neck sizing will generally give you much better accuracy.
 
SwifTst said:
Thanks yeah the stock is beautiful! The pictures don't do it justice. I think it was a good but at 300 bucks. Are there any websites that I can get info on where it was made, inspected by whom or anything like that ?
Click to expand...

Made by the Carl Gustafs State Arms Factory. Inspected by Helge Gustaf Ludvig Kothoff, who was commissioned as an Officer on December 16, 1901. Inspection Officer at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori from April 1, 1912 to February 28, 1923. Rank of Lieutenant, parent regiment 6th. Artillery.

1916 Serial numbers range from 371177 to 401598. (Yes, I know the "Crown Jewel" says they start at 371495 but I have seen rifle 371177.) We have learned a lot since "Crown Jewels" was written. Your rifle, by the serial number on it, was probably built in December, of 1916.

There are also two types of stock disks. The stock disk on your rifle is the older type, and would be appropriate for a 1916 rifle. If this rifle was rebarreled or reworked after 1955, then it would likely have a late type stock disk on it.

Check out the "House of Karlina" on the Internet. $300 was a good price.

Not a criticism here but a photographic TIP. Try to keep the long axis of your photos of rifles either straight up or horizontal. Also, when showing markings, such as the serial number picture, keep it horizontal and right side up. It is not only better and easier to see, but when we see something as it should be, anything odd stands out.

A while ago, we had a guy posting pictures of rifles with the serial numbers and markings upside down. At 72 years old, and having nicely organized my center of gravity for upright conditions, I find that trying to stand on my head to read something overbalances my butt, and I tend to fall over.:D And what do you guys mean, "I am out of shape!" Round and Pear are shapes.:)
 
Last edited:
Nice pick up! I agree with Swedish Mausers being given undervalued for their quality and accuracy. I own a CG m96 and a Husqvarna m38. Difference with Husqvarna m38's were made with bent bolt. Whenever I go to the range, all my pals want me to bring the Swedes. If you reload you can afford to shoot the Swede more cost effectively. Reloading components are very plentiful. Once you have the brass, the rest is easy. Buf and claven are sure to have pet loads. Enjoy your new Swede.
 
Shamefully, I am set up to load and yet never have because I wisely laid away beaucoup surplus when it was available. Almost out though...
 
Thanks for all your input guys. And yeah I'm not a very good photographer lol. I just noticed when I shined my led light in the muzzle that there is some orange rust in the rifling. Trying to get it all out.. Filled the barrel with hoppes 9 and am going to let it sit and soak for a bit. Tried scrubbing it out with g96, patches and a brush but it didn't do much
 
OMG, small world. That converted CG 1938 used to be my rifle. Lol, I thought it looked familiar. I traded it back to Jeff for the current Huskie m38 with bent bolt I have. The handguard is beechwood. Your stock was in rough shape so I used tung oil finish on it. The stock is the original stock and is made of elm I believe! I didn't think the stock disc was original as it is a great shooter! Enjoy, I am glad she went to a good home!
 
samsplacci71 said:
OMG, small world. That converted CG 1938 used to be my rifle. Lol, I thought it looked familiar. I traded it back to Jeff for the current Huskie m38 with bent bolt I have. The handguard is beechwood. Your stock was in rough shape so I used tung oil finish on it. The stock is the original stock and is made of elm I believe! I didn't think the stock disc was original as it is a great shooter! Enjoy, I am glad she went to a good home!
Click to expand...

I absolutely love it! Small world indeed lol I havent really had a chance to do some range work yet, minus shooting at a Tim bit box on a stick. What kind of accuracy were you getting out of her, and what loads does she like?
 
I hadn't run too much but she likes 140 grain hornady sp interlocks. I was a bit high on my load but i had IMR 4350 at 42gr. I wasn't crimping them and loaded to the cannulure of the bullet. I suppose you can try seating them a bit longer as the Swedes have long throats. at 42gr, it was a pretty hot load but I was getting about 1.5 to 2.5 inch groups with iron sights. Remington factory ammo runs fine in it and it's pretty accurate, as is PRVI.

I have tried 40gr of hybrid 100v by Hodgdon in my huskie m38 (over 140gr. Hornady interlocks). I have to fine tune the load a bit though as I was getting about 3-4 inch groups. I'm glad you like the rifle. I wanted a m38 as I am going to make my own sniper short rifle instead of a m41b. I have a correct repro scope mount. I simply need to find a vintage looking scope. I am leaving my m96 untouched. I absolutely love the Swede Mausers.
 
my huskie m38 has the benefit of coming with a bent bolt. See, now you're hooked. Now you need a M96!!! See if you can't find a M96 with diopter sights. Long barrel with accurate target sights, you'll be punching 1 inch groups for sure. Trade ex has them. Enjoy the rifle, I know I did.
Oh and check the front end of the stock. There may be a retaining pin that is loose, where the front band with bayonet lug has a metal spacer to provide tension to the barrel and the cleaning rod inserts into.
 
"...Swedish for "spritzer"...." White wine and soda? Girlyman. snicker.
"...disc says..." As Claven says, it might and likely isn't original. Swedish Mausers are well known as good shooters. Some of 'em are great shooters. How well it shoots is the important part.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom