Swedish M38 questions Added more pics
- Thread starter kman300
- Start date
Would need more pics to estimate value but you can read the disk your self (and learn more about Swedish rifles) here:
http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/faq_se_rifles.htm
http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/rifles_se/faq_se_rifles.htm
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
no, 6.50
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
From that disc it looks like a new barrel was installed the last time at the arsenal. Hard to say mow many rounds were fired after that, but with most Swedes, barrel bores are usually in top condition. 42 Husky's are quite common and go from $250 and up per condition of course.
The disc indicates a 6.50 bore in top condition, BUT, is it the original disc for that rifle? Many discs have been replaced after having gone missing. Only way to know what YOUR rifle's barrel condition may be is to slug it for size and to give it a good cleaning and inspect for pits, etc. As noted by "lejarretnoir", how many rounds have passed through the barrel since that original measurement, if that disc is original to that rifle?
Husky's aren't that uncommon yet.
Husky's aren't that uncommon yet.
This disk also tells you that the sighting difference in point of impact at 100 yards between the 156 grain m/94 round and the 139 grain m/41 Torped round is approximately one Streck, or about 3.6 inches.
Post some pictures of the top of the receiver ring. Also, the disk WILL NOT indicate that it has had a new barrel at the Arsenal. Looking at markings on the barrel, and stamped markings underneath the rifle at the wrist can indicate a new barrel.
If this is a m/96 that has been shortened to m/38 standards, it will probably say Carl Gustafs or Mauser on the receiver ring. Husqvarna rifles are marked as such, on the receiver ring. Husqvarna metalwork also has "tilted" crowns on it instead of aligned straight crowns.
When you lift the rear sight, are there any letters stamped on the rear sight base? Are there numbers on the barrel bands or barrel band keepers?
It might be the light, but the Husqvarna stocks tend to be a bit more red in colour. This stock almost looks like Elm, but again, it could be the light. A full length picture might be in order, and a true colour of a picture is better taken outdoors.
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Post some pictures of the top of the receiver ring. Also, the disk WILL NOT indicate that it has had a new barrel at the Arsenal. Looking at markings on the barrel, and stamped markings underneath the rifle at the wrist can indicate a new barrel.
If this is a m/96 that has been shortened to m/38 standards, it will probably say Carl Gustafs or Mauser on the receiver ring. Husqvarna rifles are marked as such, on the receiver ring. Husqvarna metalwork also has "tilted" crowns on it instead of aligned straight crowns.
When you lift the rear sight, are there any letters stamped on the rear sight base? Are there numbers on the barrel bands or barrel band keepers?
It might be the light, but the Husqvarna stocks tend to be a bit more red in colour. This stock almost looks like Elm, but again, it could be the light. A full length picture might be in order, and a true colour of a picture is better taken outdoors.
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Crown over C = new barrel at Carlsborg Arsenal.
Also, Husqvarna-made gun should have a turned-down bolt handle. Original Carl Gustav m/96, like mine, retain the straight bolt. mine.
To cheer you up a bit more, I recently paid over $650 for mine.
...but then again, I live in UK. :=(
tac
Also, Husqvarna-made gun should have a turned-down bolt handle. Original Carl Gustav m/96, like mine, retain the straight bolt. mine.
To cheer you up a bit more, I recently paid over $650 for mine.
...but then again, I live in UK. :=(
tac
You have a rifle made of mixed parts; Husqvarna-made M/38 rifles have the acceptance crown on an slight angle (see floorplate) and CG-made (see swivel barrel band retainer and sight spring) part have the crown standing upright. The stock is not original to a Husqvarna, as they used their own stocks, and this one is a Carl Gustav one. So, as for many M96 and M/38, the disc may likely not be original, hence may not give indication on the real barrel condtion.
It's not uncommon for these rifles to not completely match, or showing up with mixed parts. HVA made a bunch of CG M/96 into what is often referred to as M/96-38 but they usually have a Carl Gustav receiver.
If this rifle was factory-modified by HVA to a so-called M/96-38, you should also find a "T" stamped on the top of the rear sight.
It's not uncommon for these rifles to not completely match, or showing up with mixed parts. HVA made a bunch of CG M/96 into what is often referred to as M/96-38 but they usually have a Carl Gustav receiver.
If this rifle was factory-modified by HVA to a so-called M/96-38, you should also find a "T" stamped on the top of the rear sight.
Mine, an 1898 CG action, has mis-matched barrel bands, floor-plate and butt-plate. But the barrel is pristine.....
If I could start over, I'd make these fine Swedish guns the backbone of my collection.
tac
It amazes me to no end that German Wehrmacht mausers with Waffenampt stamps are worth double what swedish mausers are.
The Swedish guns are beautifully built, comparing a wartime German 98 to them is futile IMO.
History is worth the extra I suppose.
The Swedish guns are beautifully built, comparing a wartime German 98 to them is futile IMO.
History is worth the extra I suppose.
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I would say that this rifle is a Husqvarna made m/38 and not a remodeled m/96. The 1942 date and the "SS" stamped on the rear sight base are typical. "SS" is for Sten Waldemar Stenmo, who was the Inspection Officer at both Husqvarna and Carl Gustafs from October 1, 1942 to March 31, 1946. He was the last Inspection Officer and the Swedes discontinued the position after that. The Husqvarna receivers were hardened, and it was found that the Inspectors initials could not be stamped in the usual place, that being on the left side of the receiver near the serial number. This also indicates new Husqvarna m/38 production. When Husqvarna started production of purpose built m/38 rifles in 1940, they did use straight bolts, but were allowed to change to a bent bolt handle in 1941 to 1944. The 18,000 m/96 rifles Husqvarna built for the FSR had straight bolt handles.
The "Crown C" on the wrist of the stock does not necessarily indicate a new barrel was installed. It does indicate that the rifle was Inspected or possibly repaired, not at Carlsborg (which used a Crown CB) but rather at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarfaktori in Eskilstuna.
As noted, there is a mixture of Carl Gustafs straight crown stamped and Husqvarna tilted crown stamped parts. The stock appears to be Beech, also correct for the period. The serial number should be stamped inside under the top handguard and on the barrel channel of the stock.
The "T" sight is correct for a Husqvarna m/38 built rifle. It is calibrated for 139 grain m/41 ammunition and stands for "Torped" spitzer ammunition rather than the m/94 round nosed 156 grain bullet.
With the additional pictures you provided, I would say that this rifle is an original m/38 Short Rifle made by Husqvarna, and not a modified m/96. Husqvarna m/38 serial numbers in 1942 ran from 628822 to 667603, for a total of 38,781 rifles produced during that year.
If your rifle has a serial number within this range, you have a m/38 Short Rifle.
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I would say that this rifle is a Husqvarna made m/38 and not a remodeled m/96. The 1942 date and the "SS" stamped on the rear sight base are typical. "SS" is for Sten Waldemar Stenmo, who was the Inspection Officer at both Husqvarna and Carl Gustafs from October 1, 1942 to March 31, 1946. He was the last Inspection Officer and the Swedes discontinued the position after that. The Husqvarna receivers were hardened, and it was found that the Inspectors initials could not be stamped in the usual place, that being on the left side of the receiver near the serial number. This also indicates new Husqvarna m/38 production. When Husqvarna started production of purpose built m/38 rifles in 1940, they did use straight bolts, but were allowed to change to a bent bolt handle in 1941 to 1944. The 18,000 m/96 rifles Husqvarna built for the FSR had straight bolt handles.
The "Crown C" on the wrist of the stock does not necessarily indicate a new barrel was installed. It does indicate that the rifle was Inspected or possibly repaired, not at Carlsborg (which used a Crown CB) but rather at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarfaktori in Eskilstuna.
As noted, there is a mixture of Carl Gustafs straight crown stamped and Husqvarna tilted crown stamped parts. The stock appears to be Beech, also correct for the period. The serial number should be stamped inside under the top handguard and on the barrel channel of the stock.
The "T" sight is correct for a Husqvarna m/38 built rifle. It is calibrated for 139 grain m/41 ammunition and stands for "Torped" spitzer ammunition rather than the m/94 round nosed 156 grain bullet.
With the additional pictures you provided, I would say that this rifle is an original m/38 Short Rifle made by Husqvarna, and not a modified m/96. Husqvarna m/38 serial numbers in 1942 ran from 628822 to 667603, for a total of 38,781 rifles produced during that year.
If your rifle has a serial number within this range, you have a m/38 Short Rifle.
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The barrel with the Crown C is a replacement barrel made by Carl Gustafs. It was probably put on the Husqvarna receiver when the rifle was inspected.
What is a bit perplexing is the numbers inside the stock. If you have blanked out the last three digits, then the number would be 23643###. The Swedes did not run to 23 Million rifles, but rather under 700,000 rifles . From this, it is probable that the stock is not the original one, but has been replaced, and the last three digits added later. If the 23643 is the rifle it came off, then that would indicate 1908 production. If you notice the "rays" on the left side wood near the cheekpiece of the buttstock, they are typical of a Beech stock. However, in 1908, ample Walnut was available for stocks, and the shortage of Walnut did not happen until WWI. If this is a Beech stock, it might have been a replacement stock for rifle 23643 before it was put on this rifle.
One thing to look at is the style of Font used in the numbers to see if it is the same, or has been added later.
The numbers stamped on the bottom flat of the receiver are generally recognized to be Workers or assembly numbers.
Does the serial number of your rifle run between 62882 and 667603 ? If you are concerned about the serial number a simple "Yes or No" will suffice.
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What is a bit perplexing is the numbers inside the stock. If you have blanked out the last three digits, then the number would be 23643###. The Swedes did not run to 23 Million rifles, but rather under 700,000 rifles . From this, it is probable that the stock is not the original one, but has been replaced, and the last three digits added later. If the 23643 is the rifle it came off, then that would indicate 1908 production. If you notice the "rays" on the left side wood near the cheekpiece of the buttstock, they are typical of a Beech stock. However, in 1908, ample Walnut was available for stocks, and the shortage of Walnut did not happen until WWI. If this is a Beech stock, it might have been a replacement stock for rifle 23643 before it was put on this rifle.
One thing to look at is the style of Font used in the numbers to see if it is the same, or has been added later.
The numbers stamped on the bottom flat of the receiver are generally recognized to be Workers or assembly numbers.
Does the serial number of your rifle run between 62882 and 667603 ? If you are concerned about the serial number a simple "Yes or No" will suffice.
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