Help with a Swede Mauser.

fast-eddie · January 5, 2010, 10:15 PM

I just picked up a old Swede Mauser at the local GS, someone has sporterized it some. It's a carl Gustav 1903 and the serial is in the mid 17000's, the barrel is only 17.5 inches long too. It has a redfield peep and aperture but there is no indication of there ever being an open sight. I don't think it was cut down to 17'', and it has a walnut straight stock that has been refinished.

I'm just curious if it's a 94 or 96 and what kind of loads are safe to use in this rifle since it is around 100 years old. I figure it's perfect for my son as a beater deer rifle since it been sporterized already.

benogil · January 5, 2010, 10:44 PM

No expert, but I read a post like this earlier today on a milsurp forum. Sounds like a 94, the S/N will tell. If it has no headspace problems, it should be good with any 6.5x55 ammo. Obviously with that length you'll lose a little velocity, and pick up some noise. It probably will still have much of the accuracy, depending on how well the muzzle was crowned. American 6.5x55 is loaded mild compared to European. 140 grain will be most abundant, but 156 can be better for some rifles.

simonkenton · January 6, 2010, 08:41 AM

It sounds like the M94 carbine. They came from the factory with short barrels.
Intact, those are worth a lot of money, maybe $800 to $1,200.

You will be fine with any commercially available ammo. That would make a great deer rifle.

Can you post some pics?

PetahW · January 6, 2010, 10:57 AM

A 96 Swede can be distinguished from a 94 Swede by inspecting the left receiver wall and bolt.

The Swedes improved the 94, when the 96 was made, by making the thumb notch in the left receiver wall much deeper than on the 94, and added a guide rib to the bolt so the locking lug wouldn't catch on the new/bigger thumbcut.

In a side-by-side comparison, a 96 will have more gas escape holes than a 94.

However, some 94's, made after the introduction of the 96, will exhibit 96 features as above.

A 94 bolt handle is usually made curved down, and the 96 straight out - but folks modify bolt handles.

If the brass disc is still in the side of the buttstock, the markings should reveal the condition of the bore when it last left the factory/armory.

.

fast-eddie · January 6, 2010, 05:05 PM

It has a turned down bolt with a tiny crown like the one on the reciever on the back of the bolt, so I think it's original. I'll try and post pick today, I'm mnot very good at such things.

Oh, ther was no brass disk on the stock at all, I paid $160 for it.

After further review the number on the bolt matches the last three on the serial number, so it's the original bolt.

What baffles me is that there are no marking where the original rear sight was, may be someone put a new barrel on it, but I don't see the point in making an exact replica of the original barrel unless the rifle was in original condition.

oldgoat1911 · January 7, 2010, 07:20 PM

The little 94 is a sweetheart to shoot....very accurate with factory or reloads especially in with bullets of 120 to 160 grains. Mine is bubba'd but it is so neat and handy.....kills deer very well. Enjoy it!

oneounceload · January 7, 2010, 07:52 PM

Mine had all matching numbers, 1907 date on it and had a Williams receiver sight installed. Paid $55 for it back in 1983. Loves 3031 and Sierra 120 grain spitzers. Was told it was a 96 - shoots with less recoil than my Model 7 in 7-08 with a 18.5 inch barrel

simonkenton · January 8, 2010, 07:34 AM

I am intrigued by your little rifle, and I love Swede Mausers.
Email me the pics, and I will post them.

simonkenton · January 9, 2010, 08:19 AM

['

simonkenton · January 9, 2010, 08:51 AM

That serial number is correct for the M94.

PetahW · January 9, 2010, 09:39 AM

Yep - The action, etc, looks to be the 94 Swede, due to the issue-looking bent bolt handle, etc - sporterized via chopping the military stock and adding a commercial receiver peep sight.

It looks like a nice little deer rifle.

The original rear barrel sight could have been unsoldered/removed and the rifle reblued when spoterized many/many years ago - so the wear today looks "normal".

.

shooter_from_show-me · January 10, 2010, 07:47 PM

What happen to the photo's???

January 5, 2010, 10:15 PM	#1
fast-eddie Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2009 Location: Tigard Or, Posts: 342	Help with a Swede Mauser. I just picked up a old Swede Mauser at the local GS, someone has sporterized it some. It's a carl Gustav 1903 and the serial is in the mid 17000's, the barrel is only 17.5 inches long too. It has a redfield peep and aperture but there is no indication of there ever being an open sight. I don't think it was cut down to 17'', and it has a walnut straight stock that has been refinished. I'm just curious if it's a 94 or 96 and what kind of loads are safe to use in this rifle since it is around 100 years old. I figure it's perfect for my son as a beater deer rifle since it been sporterized already.

January 6, 2010, 10:57 AM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	A 96 Swede can be distinguished from a 94 Swede by inspecting the left receiver wall and bolt. The Swedes improved the 94, when the 96 was made, by making the thumb notch in the left receiver wall much deeper than on the 94, and added a guide rib to the bolt so the locking lug wouldn't catch on the new/bigger thumbcut. In a side-by-side comparison, a 96 will have more gas escape holes than a 94. However, some 94's, made after the introduction of the 96, will exhibit 96 features as above. A 94 bolt handle is usually made curved down, and the 96 straight out - but folks modify bolt handles. If the brass disc is still in the side of the buttstock, the markings should reveal the condition of the bore when it last left the factory/armory. . Last edited by PetahW; January 6, 2010 at 11:06 AM.

January 6, 2010, 05:05 PM	#5
fast-eddie Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2009 Location: Tigard Or, Posts: 342	It has a turned down bolt with a tiny crown like the one on the reciever on the back of the bolt, so I think it's original. I'll try and post pick today, I'm mnot very good at such things. Oh, ther was no brass disk on the stock at all, I paid $160 for it. After further review the number on the bolt matches the last three on the serial number, so it's the original bolt. What baffles me is that there are no marking where the original rear sight was, may be someone put a new barrel on it, but I don't see the point in making an exact replica of the original barrel unless the rifle was in original condition. Last edited by fast-eddie; January 7, 2010 at 06:35 PM.

January 7, 2010, 07:20 PM	#6
oldgoat1911 Junior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Posts: 8	great shooter The little 94 is a sweetheart to shoot....very accurate with factory or reloads especially in with bullets of 120 to 160 grains. Mine is bubba'd but it is so neat and handy.....kills deer very well. Enjoy it!

January 9, 2010, 08:19 AM	#9
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	[' Last edited by simonkenton; January 11, 2010 at 01:42 PM.

January 5, 2010, 10:44 PM	#2
benogil Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 131	No expert, but I read a post like this earlier today on a milsurp forum. Sounds like a 94, the S/N will tell. If it has no headspace problems, it should be good with any 6.5x55 ammo. Obviously with that length you'll lose a little velocity, and pick up some noise. It probably will still have much of the accuracy, depending on how well the muzzle was crowned. American 6.5x55 is loaded mild compared to European. 140 grain will be most abundant, but 156 can be better for some rifles.

January 6, 2010, 08:41 AM	#3
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	It sounds like the M94 carbine. They came from the factory with short barrels. Intact, those are worth a lot of money, maybe $800 to $1,200. You will be fine with any commercially available ammo. That would make a great deer rifle. Can you post some pics?

January 7, 2010, 07:52 PM	#7
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Mine had all matching numbers, 1907 date on it and had a Williams receiver sight installed. Paid $55 for it back in 1983. Loves 3031 and Sierra 120 grain spitzers. Was told it was a 96 - shoots with less recoil than my Model 7 in 7-08 with a 18.5 inch barrel

January 8, 2010, 07:34 AM	#8
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	I am intrigued by your little rifle, and I love Swede Mausers. Email me the pics, and I will post them.

January 9, 2010, 08:51 AM	#10
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	That serial number is correct for the M94.

January 9, 2010, 09:39 AM	#11
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Yep - The action, etc, looks to be the 94 Swede, due to the issue-looking bent bolt handle, etc - sporterized via chopping the military stock and adding a commercial receiver peep sight. It looks like a nice little deer rifle. The original rear barrel sight could have been unsoldered/removed and the rifle reblued when spoterized many/many years ago - so the wear today looks "normal". . Last edited by PetahW; January 9, 2010 at 09:50 AM.

January 10, 2010, 07:47 PM	#12
shooter_from_show-me Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 231	What happen to the photo's??? __________________ When the government fears the people, you have liberty. When the people fear the government, you have tyranny. ~ Thomas Jefferson NRA Life Member