Return to site

Mauser Rifles Serial Numbers

broken image


Markings on Swedish mauser rifles. Text Mats Persson. How to read the markings on the Swedish m/94 Carbine and on the m/96 and m/38 Rifles. Manufacturing The name of the manufacturer and the year of manufacture are on the top of the receiver. The serial number is on the left side of the receiver.

  1. See Full List On Powerfuldia.netlify.app
  2. Mauser 98 Serial Number Database
  3. Mauser 98 Rifle Serial Numbers
Jump to navigationJump to search
Gevär m/96 (Model 1896 Rifle)
6,5 mm Gevär m/1896. Pattern, approved 20 March 1896.
TypeBolt-actionrifle
Place of originGerman Empire
Sweden
Service history
In service1895–Present
Used bySee Users
WarsEaster Rising,
Winter War,
Continuation War
Production history
DesignerPaul Mauser
Designed1893–1896
ManufacturerWaffenfabrik Mauser AG
Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori
Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB
Produced1895 to 1948
No. built750,000 of which 127,000 were m/94 carbines, 535,000 m/96 long rifles and 88,000 m/38 short rifles (converted m/38's not included)[1]
Variantsm/38 short rifle, m/41 sniper rifle, m/94 carbine.
Specifications
MassRifle: 4 kg (8.8 lb)
carbine: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
Lengthm/1896: 1,260 mm (50 in)
m/1938: 1,120 mm (44 in)
m/1894: 950 mm (37 in)
Barrel lengthm/1896: 739 mm (29.1 in)
m/1938: 610 mm (24 in)
m/1894: 450 mm (18 in)
Cartridge6.5×55mm Swedish
ActionBolt action
Muzzle velocityoriginal round nose bullet
rifle: 725 m/s (2,380 ft/s)
carbine: 655 m/s (2,150 ft/s)
Effective firing range600 m (656 yd) (m/1938) with iron sights
800 m (875 yd) with telescopic sight
Feed system5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
SightsSquare post front, U notch rear iron sights or telescopic sight
Mauser Rifles Serial Numbers

'Swedish Mausers' are a family of bolt-actionrifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mmcartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden.[2] These are the m/94 (Model 1894) carbine, m/96 (Model 1896) long rifle, m/38 (Model 1938) short rifle and m/41 (Model 1941) sniper rifle.[3] In 1898 production began at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Swedish Mauser - The Swedish chose the 6.5x55mm cartridge and the 1896. Serial number that corresponds to the Swedish M96 rifle serial number that the bayonet. The Swedish Mauser Rifles. Steve Kehaya. And Joe Poyer. Gustaf factory with receiver dates starting with 1898 and serial numbers beginning at '1' and ending in 1925 at circa serial number 517,277 or later. The Swedish government paid Mauser a royalty of 2,25 Kronor (Crowns) for each rifle (about US $0.612 at the time). Each bayonet and scabbard had either a 3 or 4 digit (early version) serial number that corresponds to the Swedish M96 rifle serial number that the bayonet was issued with. If you can find the earlier version of the Swedish bayonet with the Flat Stud or the 4 digit serial number it is worth more.

  • Also, serial numbers by year and manufacturer are listed and the myriad of inspection and proof marks are illustrated and deciphered. The Swedish Mauser Rifle and Carbine were first imported into the U.S., Canada and Germany in the mid-1950s. Swedish armories are long empty of the old rifles and carbines and virtually every variation has.
  • The M1916 Spanish Mauser was a short rifle developed from the M1893 Spanish Mauser rifle. It shares the same action, but features a shorter 21 3/4' barrel and bent bolt handle. The rear sight was a Lange Visier-type on the Pattern 1 rifles, and a simple tangent-leaf on the Pattern 2 rifles. Interestingly, the M1916 short rifle and M1893 long.

All Swedish Mausers were chambered for the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP).[4][5] Swedish Mausers were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser AG in Oberndorf a/N in Germany and in Sweden by Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper, and vanadium, a product then noted for its strength and corrosion resistance.

These rifles, like other pre-M 98 system Mauser rifles, lack the third safety locking lug at the rear of the bolt and feature 'cock-on-closing' (similar to the contemporary Lee–Enfield rifle) instead of the 'cock-on-opening' style found on the German Gewehr 98 and most subsequent bolt-action rifles. The rear sight was graduated for 6.5×55mm service cartridges from 300 to 2,000 m (328 to 2,187 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments.

m/1892 Rifle and Carbine[edit]

Submitted for Swedish trials were the M/1892 rifle and carbine based on elements of the m/1889 Belgian, m/1890 Turkish, and m/1891 Argentine Mauser rifles. One rifle is chambered in 8×58mmR Danish Krag caliber. One example exists in the Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland, US.[6]

m/1894 Carbine[edit]

6,5 mm Karbin m/1894 (m/1894-14 with bayonet mount)
Numbers

The m/1894 carbine was adopted in 1894 with the first 12,000 carbines being manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. This series of carbines were all manufactured in 1895, and a very few spare receivers dated 1895 were received from Mauser Oberndorf's manufacturers 'Ludwig Loewe & Company'. Some of these spare receivers have been found built as complete m/1896 rifles with serial numbers falling into the regular m/1896 rifle ranges. It is speculated that these were replacement receivers that were later given the same serial number as the replaced receivers, though this is not yet confirmed due to the extremely small number discovered so far.

How to Tell What Type of a Mauser .. - Your Adventure Awaits

Production in Sweden under license commenced in 1898. (The preparatory production development at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori found a place in history by being the event that caused Carl Edvard Johansson to invent gauge blocks.) Swedish production continued sporadically until 1918. Very limited numbers were later produced with receiver dates of 1929 and more so 1932. The highest 1918 serial number noted is 111,002. The m/94 carbines have a unique serial number sequence beginning with 1. The highest number so far noted is 113,150 dated 1932. There have been no carbines noted with receiver dates of 1902, 1905, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1913. It may be surmised that carbines produced from the end of regular production in 1918 until 1932 numbered about 2,150.

Mauser produced 12,000 m/1894 carbines between 1894 and 1896 and Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori 115,000 m/1894 carbines between 1895 and 1933, giving a total of 127,000 m/1894 carbines.[1]

Some carbines were lost from regular use by conversion to sub-caliber targeting & practice devices for artillery pieces.

Sub variants

m/1894-14 carbines have a steel nose piece, not dissimilar to the No.1 Mk3 Lee–Enfield, with a protruding stud under the muzzle for the bayonet ring. There were two bayonets intended for the 94-14 carbine. The most prevalent was the m/1914 long bayonet. The second minor bayonet was the very long bladed m/1915 navy bayonet with the edge facing upwards.

m/1894-67: This was an 1894 carbine modified to accept the m/1867 Yataghan blade saber bayonet. The modification involved a slot machined on the nose cap and a stud sleeve attached to the barrel. Numbers modified are unknown. Possibly only 100 or less. Several have shown up in the United States and one is known in the Netherlands.

Skolskjutningskarbin, (literally 'school shooting carbine'): This carbine was manufactured for Swedish civilian schools for student training. All of these school carbines carry the receiver date of 1901. This model deviates from the standard m/1894 carbine in several ways. The serial number is prefixed with S and runs S.1 to S.1161 and possibly a few more. The serial number appears as S.500 on the left side-rail of the receiver. The bolt handle is the same straight handle of the m/1896 rifle. The sling swivels are on the bottom of the stock just as on the m/1896 rifle. There is no bayonet attachment. Many of these carbines have been found rebuilt as standard m/1894-14 carbines and in one case as a Carl Gustaf m/63 target rifle (CG63).

Kammarkarbin: also known as 'gallery carbine'. Unique serial numbers prefixed by K. Total number produced is unknown, with the highest reported serial number being K.193 currently in a private collection in the United States. One has been reported in Switzerland. Carbine K.91 is in the Carl Gustaf factory museum in Sweden. Other differences from the standard m/1894 carbine include the stock being dyed black. The rifling rate of twist is about 4 times faster than the m/1894 carbine due to the unique bullet and much slower velocity of the special cartridge intended for this carbine. The only two receiver dates noted so far are 1898 and 1901.

1894/96 Fortress Carbine: Another variant produced in unknown numbers and unknown years of production. This carbine is very similar to the standard m/1894 except in the manner of sling attachment. This carbine uses a sling attachment identical to the skolskjutningskarbin as the sling swivels are on the bottom of the stock instead of the side. The lower sling swivel is placed much further up the buttstock nearer the triggerguard than the m/1896 rifle.

Weapons Officers Carbines: These standard m/1894 carbines were hand-built by weapons officers as part of their training. Instead of having serial numbers, the name of the weapons officer is the identifying 'serial' mark. Most of the parts are marked with the two letters of the officer's name and in some cases with a + sign. These carbines are among the most valuable of collectible m/1894 carbines.

The m/1894 carbine is still used today by the Royal Guards at Stockholm Palace.

m/1896 Long Rifle[edit]

Carl Gustav M96 rifle, bayonet, 2 different bayonet frogs and Swedish Cartridge Belt.

The Model 1896 rifle in 6.5×55mm (6,5 mm Gevär m/96) was adopted in 1896 for infantry use, replacing the Model 1867–1889 Remington rolling block rifle in 8×58mmR Danish Krag. Swedish production (under license) started in 1898 at Carl Gustafs, but additional rifles were produced by Mauser during 1899 and 1900 because of delays in shipping additional production machinery from Germany to Sweden.[7]

Standard production at Carl Gustafs continued until 1925, but approximately 18,000 m/96 rifles were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB during World War II for civilian marksmanship training.[8]

Mauser produced 40,000 m/1896 long rifles between 1899 and 1900, Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori 475,000 m/1896 between 1896 and 1932 and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB 20,000 m/1896 between 1942 and 1944. Giving a total of 535,000 m/96 long rifles.[1]

m/1938 Short Rifle[edit]

6,5 mm Gevär m/1938. Shortened rifle m/1896, rebuilt in 1938-1940.

The Model 1938 rifle (6,5 mm Gevär m/38) was adopted in 1938 as part of a worldwide trend (which began just before World War I) towards service rifles that were shorter in overall length than a standard infantry rifle, but longer than a cavalry carbine. Contemporary examples such as the Mauser Karabiner 98k, Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No I Mk III, MAS-36, and M1903 Springfield were all noticeably shorter than a standard late 19th century infantry rifle, and with another war on the horizon the Swedes felt it would be expedient to adopt a shorter rifle for use by mechanized troops and the Navy.

The original m/1938 rifles (Type I) were converted m/1896 rifles with barrels cut down by 5.5' (139mm) and almost always with the original straight bolt handles. These rifles are often referred to by collectors as 'm/96-38' rifles, but there was never an official designation for this conversion.[9] The majority of purpose-built m/1938s (Type II) had turned-down bolt handles and were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB, with production ending in 1944. However, the Swedish military made no distinction in service between the two types.[10]

Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori converted 55,080 m/1896 long rifles to m/1938 short rifles in 1938-1940. In addition to that Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB produced 88,150 new m/38 short rifles between 1942 and 1944. Giving a total of 143,230 m/1938 short rifles.[1]

m/1941 and m/1941B Sniper Rifles[edit]

Swedish Mauser Serial Numbers

The m/1941 and m/1941B sniper rifles were m/1896 rifles selected for accuracy and fitted with a telescopic sight, initially with the German AJACK 4× m/41 scope. Because of the deteriorating war situation Germany however stopped selling rifle scopes to Sweden, resulting in Swedish made AGA 3× m/42 and 3× m/44 rifle scopes (made by Svenska Ackumulatorfabriken Jungner) being used instead.[11]

Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori converted 5,300 specially selected m/1896 long rifles to m/1941 sniper rifles in 1941-1943.[1] The bolt handle of all m/1941 rifles was turned-down in order to provide clearance for unimpaired operation of the bolt handle or three-position safety catch lever with a telescopic sight mounted.

Model 1896 Swedish Mauser in Finnish service during WW II[edit]

Swedish volunteers by a destroyed Soviet tank in Finland during the Winter War. The soldier in the foreground carries a slung m/94 carbine.

M96 Swedish Mauser Serial Numbers

Rifles

In 1940, Finland bought 77,000 M1896 Mausers from Sweden in 6.5×55mm. They were mainly used by second line units.[12] Model 1896 rifles used by Finland in WW II can be recognized by a stamp with the letters SA (Suomen Armeija = Finnish Army) surrounded by a square with rounded corners. Most of the rifles were returned to Sweden after WW II but some remained in Finland.[13]

K98

'Swedish Mausers' are a family of bolt-actionrifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mmcartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden.[2] These are the m/94 (Model 1894) carbine, m/96 (Model 1896) long rifle, m/38 (Model 1938) short rifle and m/41 (Model 1941) sniper rifle.[3] In 1898 production began at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Swedish Mauser - The Swedish chose the 6.5x55mm cartridge and the 1896. Serial number that corresponds to the Swedish M96 rifle serial number that the bayonet. The Swedish Mauser Rifles. Steve Kehaya. And Joe Poyer. Gustaf factory with receiver dates starting with 1898 and serial numbers beginning at '1' and ending in 1925 at circa serial number 517,277 or later. The Swedish government paid Mauser a royalty of 2,25 Kronor (Crowns) for each rifle (about US $0.612 at the time). Each bayonet and scabbard had either a 3 or 4 digit (early version) serial number that corresponds to the Swedish M96 rifle serial number that the bayonet was issued with. If you can find the earlier version of the Swedish bayonet with the Flat Stud or the 4 digit serial number it is worth more.

  • Also, serial numbers by year and manufacturer are listed and the myriad of inspection and proof marks are illustrated and deciphered. The Swedish Mauser Rifle and Carbine were first imported into the U.S., Canada and Germany in the mid-1950s. Swedish armories are long empty of the old rifles and carbines and virtually every variation has.
  • The M1916 Spanish Mauser was a short rifle developed from the M1893 Spanish Mauser rifle. It shares the same action, but features a shorter 21 3/4' barrel and bent bolt handle. The rear sight was a Lange Visier-type on the Pattern 1 rifles, and a simple tangent-leaf on the Pattern 2 rifles. Interestingly, the M1916 short rifle and M1893 long.

All Swedish Mausers were chambered for the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP).[4][5] Swedish Mausers were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser AG in Oberndorf a/N in Germany and in Sweden by Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper, and vanadium, a product then noted for its strength and corrosion resistance.

These rifles, like other pre-M 98 system Mauser rifles, lack the third safety locking lug at the rear of the bolt and feature 'cock-on-closing' (similar to the contemporary Lee–Enfield rifle) instead of the 'cock-on-opening' style found on the German Gewehr 98 and most subsequent bolt-action rifles. The rear sight was graduated for 6.5×55mm service cartridges from 300 to 2,000 m (328 to 2,187 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments.

m/1892 Rifle and Carbine[edit]

Submitted for Swedish trials were the M/1892 rifle and carbine based on elements of the m/1889 Belgian, m/1890 Turkish, and m/1891 Argentine Mauser rifles. One rifle is chambered in 8×58mmR Danish Krag caliber. One example exists in the Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland, US.[6]

m/1894 Carbine[edit]

6,5 mm Karbin m/1894 (m/1894-14 with bayonet mount)

The m/1894 carbine was adopted in 1894 with the first 12,000 carbines being manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. This series of carbines were all manufactured in 1895, and a very few spare receivers dated 1895 were received from Mauser Oberndorf's manufacturers 'Ludwig Loewe & Company'. Some of these spare receivers have been found built as complete m/1896 rifles with serial numbers falling into the regular m/1896 rifle ranges. It is speculated that these were replacement receivers that were later given the same serial number as the replaced receivers, though this is not yet confirmed due to the extremely small number discovered so far.

Production in Sweden under license commenced in 1898. (The preparatory production development at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori found a place in history by being the event that caused Carl Edvard Johansson to invent gauge blocks.) Swedish production continued sporadically until 1918. Very limited numbers were later produced with receiver dates of 1929 and more so 1932. The highest 1918 serial number noted is 111,002. The m/94 carbines have a unique serial number sequence beginning with 1. The highest number so far noted is 113,150 dated 1932. There have been no carbines noted with receiver dates of 1902, 1905, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1913. It may be surmised that carbines produced from the end of regular production in 1918 until 1932 numbered about 2,150.

Mauser produced 12,000 m/1894 carbines between 1894 and 1896 and Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori 115,000 m/1894 carbines between 1895 and 1933, giving a total of 127,000 m/1894 carbines.[1]

Some carbines were lost from regular use by conversion to sub-caliber targeting & practice devices for artillery pieces.

Sub variants

m/1894-14 carbines have a steel nose piece, not dissimilar to the No.1 Mk3 Lee–Enfield, with a protruding stud under the muzzle for the bayonet ring. There were two bayonets intended for the 94-14 carbine. The most prevalent was the m/1914 long bayonet. The second minor bayonet was the very long bladed m/1915 navy bayonet with the edge facing upwards.

m/1894-67: This was an 1894 carbine modified to accept the m/1867 Yataghan blade saber bayonet. The modification involved a slot machined on the nose cap and a stud sleeve attached to the barrel. Numbers modified are unknown. Possibly only 100 or less. Several have shown up in the United States and one is known in the Netherlands.

Skolskjutningskarbin, (literally 'school shooting carbine'): This carbine was manufactured for Swedish civilian schools for student training. All of these school carbines carry the receiver date of 1901. This model deviates from the standard m/1894 carbine in several ways. The serial number is prefixed with S and runs S.1 to S.1161 and possibly a few more. The serial number appears as S.500 on the left side-rail of the receiver. The bolt handle is the same straight handle of the m/1896 rifle. The sling swivels are on the bottom of the stock just as on the m/1896 rifle. There is no bayonet attachment. Many of these carbines have been found rebuilt as standard m/1894-14 carbines and in one case as a Carl Gustaf m/63 target rifle (CG63).

Kammarkarbin: also known as 'gallery carbine'. Unique serial numbers prefixed by K. Total number produced is unknown, with the highest reported serial number being K.193 currently in a private collection in the United States. One has been reported in Switzerland. Carbine K.91 is in the Carl Gustaf factory museum in Sweden. Other differences from the standard m/1894 carbine include the stock being dyed black. The rifling rate of twist is about 4 times faster than the m/1894 carbine due to the unique bullet and much slower velocity of the special cartridge intended for this carbine. The only two receiver dates noted so far are 1898 and 1901.

1894/96 Fortress Carbine: Another variant produced in unknown numbers and unknown years of production. This carbine is very similar to the standard m/1894 except in the manner of sling attachment. This carbine uses a sling attachment identical to the skolskjutningskarbin as the sling swivels are on the bottom of the stock instead of the side. The lower sling swivel is placed much further up the buttstock nearer the triggerguard than the m/1896 rifle.

Weapons Officers Carbines: These standard m/1894 carbines were hand-built by weapons officers as part of their training. Instead of having serial numbers, the name of the weapons officer is the identifying 'serial' mark. Most of the parts are marked with the two letters of the officer's name and in some cases with a + sign. These carbines are among the most valuable of collectible m/1894 carbines.

The m/1894 carbine is still used today by the Royal Guards at Stockholm Palace.

m/1896 Long Rifle[edit]

Carl Gustav M96 rifle, bayonet, 2 different bayonet frogs and Swedish Cartridge Belt.

The Model 1896 rifle in 6.5×55mm (6,5 mm Gevär m/96) was adopted in 1896 for infantry use, replacing the Model 1867–1889 Remington rolling block rifle in 8×58mmR Danish Krag. Swedish production (under license) started in 1898 at Carl Gustafs, but additional rifles were produced by Mauser during 1899 and 1900 because of delays in shipping additional production machinery from Germany to Sweden.[7]

Standard production at Carl Gustafs continued until 1925, but approximately 18,000 m/96 rifles were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB during World War II for civilian marksmanship training.[8]

Mauser produced 40,000 m/1896 long rifles between 1899 and 1900, Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori 475,000 m/1896 between 1896 and 1932 and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB 20,000 m/1896 between 1942 and 1944. Giving a total of 535,000 m/96 long rifles.[1]

m/1938 Short Rifle[edit]

6,5 mm Gevär m/1938. Shortened rifle m/1896, rebuilt in 1938-1940.

The Model 1938 rifle (6,5 mm Gevär m/38) was adopted in 1938 as part of a worldwide trend (which began just before World War I) towards service rifles that were shorter in overall length than a standard infantry rifle, but longer than a cavalry carbine. Contemporary examples such as the Mauser Karabiner 98k, Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No I Mk III, MAS-36, and M1903 Springfield were all noticeably shorter than a standard late 19th century infantry rifle, and with another war on the horizon the Swedes felt it would be expedient to adopt a shorter rifle for use by mechanized troops and the Navy.

The original m/1938 rifles (Type I) were converted m/1896 rifles with barrels cut down by 5.5' (139mm) and almost always with the original straight bolt handles. These rifles are often referred to by collectors as 'm/96-38' rifles, but there was never an official designation for this conversion.[9] The majority of purpose-built m/1938s (Type II) had turned-down bolt handles and were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB, with production ending in 1944. However, the Swedish military made no distinction in service between the two types.[10]

Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori converted 55,080 m/1896 long rifles to m/1938 short rifles in 1938-1940. In addition to that Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB produced 88,150 new m/38 short rifles between 1942 and 1944. Giving a total of 143,230 m/1938 short rifles.[1]

m/1941 and m/1941B Sniper Rifles[edit]

Swedish Mauser Serial Numbers

The m/1941 and m/1941B sniper rifles were m/1896 rifles selected for accuracy and fitted with a telescopic sight, initially with the German AJACK 4× m/41 scope. Because of the deteriorating war situation Germany however stopped selling rifle scopes to Sweden, resulting in Swedish made AGA 3× m/42 and 3× m/44 rifle scopes (made by Svenska Ackumulatorfabriken Jungner) being used instead.[11]

Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori converted 5,300 specially selected m/1896 long rifles to m/1941 sniper rifles in 1941-1943.[1] The bolt handle of all m/1941 rifles was turned-down in order to provide clearance for unimpaired operation of the bolt handle or three-position safety catch lever with a telescopic sight mounted.

Model 1896 Swedish Mauser in Finnish service during WW II[edit]

Swedish volunteers by a destroyed Soviet tank in Finland during the Winter War. The soldier in the foreground carries a slung m/94 carbine.

M96 Swedish Mauser Serial Numbers

In 1940, Finland bought 77,000 M1896 Mausers from Sweden in 6.5×55mm. They were mainly used by second line units.[12] Model 1896 rifles used by Finland in WW II can be recognized by a stamp with the letters SA (Suomen Armeija = Finnish Army) surrounded by a square with rounded corners. Most of the rifles were returned to Sweden after WW II but some remained in Finland.[13]

End of service[edit]

The m/1894 carbine and the m/1896 and m/1938 rifles were gradually phased out of Swedish service starting in the 1950s, although the sniper variants continued in service until the early 1980s. They were succeeded by the Ag m/42semi-automatic rifle beginning in the late 1940s, followed by the Ak 4battle rifle starting in the 1960s. However, some rear echelon logistic units were still equipped with m/1896 as late as 1983. The last unit to use m/1941(B) sniper rifles were the Hemvärnet (Home Guard) that replaced their m/1941(B) sniper rifles in 1995 by Ak 4OR rifles with Hensoldt 4×24 telescopic sights. The m/1894 carbine is still used for ceremonial and guard purposes by the Royal Guards.

Civilian use[edit]

Both the m/1896 and m/1938 rifles are highly sought after by military rifle shooters and hunters. The 6.5×55mm is an ideal all-round hunting rifle cartridge, as it has a flat trajectory, low recoil, and high accuracy. The space game candystand free. Many rifles in the Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa have been sporterized to make deer (or similar game) hunting rifles, and many firearms manufacturers, including SAKO, Ruger and Winchester, produce new hunting rifles chambered in this cartridge.

Civilian rifles built on the Swedish Mauser action[edit]

When surplus Swedish Mausers became available after World War II many m/1896 and m/1938 rifles were successfully converted by Carl Gustafs and Norma into the CG 63 Competition/Target Rifle chambered in 6.5×55mm and 7.62×51mm NATO. A number of CG 63 match rifles were acquired by the Swedish Army, with their rifles colloquially known as Gevär 6 if in 6.5×55mm and Gevär 7 if in 7.62×51mm. These competition/target rifles were used by members of the Swedish Volunteer Sharpshooting Movement Frivilliga Skytterörelsen (FSR) and are known to be very accurate for their price. The FSR strived to keep the costs of participating in their shooting events reasonable, so the FSR rulings restricted the unchecked use of very expensive highly specialized target rifles, ammunition and other gear.The CG 63 rifle was built on a Swedish Mauser receiver, to which a new heavy, non-stepped free-floating target barrel was fitted. The vertical thumb piece was removed from the bolt to improve lock time. The triggers were adjusted and smoothed to match quality and the rifles got diopter and globe sighting lines (from several Swedish manufacturers) and target stocks.The CG 63 was further developed into the CG 73 / CG 74, also called m/74, and finally the CG 80 competition/target rifle.[14] The CG competition/target rifles complied and evolved with the technical and dimensional FSR rulings then imposed for FSR shooting events. Starting at the end of the 20th century the FSR allowed the use of competition/target rifles that are not based on the Swedish Mauser receiver.

Husqvarna also made commercial m/1894 and m/1896 versions available as sporting rifles called Model 46 and its variants (Models 46A, 46AN and 46B) in 6.5×55mm, 9.3×57mm and 9.3×62mm. After World War II they used m/96 and m/38 actions without thumb notch to create the Model 640 series (646 in 6.5×55mm, 648 in 8×57mm, 649 in 9.3×62mm). These are not to be confused with the late-production Model 640 using FN Herstal M98 actions. Stiga also made sporterized versions in popular calibers, which are very well finished and balanced.

Users[edit]

  • Sweden
  • Finland[13]
  • Luxembourg[15]
  • Denmark[16]
  • Norway[17]

Gallery[edit]

  • Karbin m/1894, original model without bayonet mount

  • Karbin m/1894-96 for the Corps of Engineers (no bayonet mount, rifle sling swivels)

  • Karbin m/1894 in (ceremonial) use by the Royal Guards in 2009.

  • Gevär m/1938 purpose-built m/1938 (Type II) equipped with a turned-down bolt handle

  • Blank Firing Attachment (BFA) for Swedish Mauser m/1896B and m/1938B

  • Rifle scope m/1941 (ZF Ajack 4×90) for m/1941 sniper rifle

  • Rifle scope m/1944 (AGA 3×65) for m/1941 sniper rifle

  • Knife bayonet m/1896 for m/1896 and m/1938 rifles (overall length 330 mm/13 in)

  • Knife bayonet m/1914 for m/1894-14 carbine (overall length 460 mm/18.1 in)

  • Knife bayonet m/1915 for m/1894-14 carbine, Royal Swedish Navy (overall length 635 mm/25 in)

  • Stripper clip loaded with Swedish 6.5×55mm surplus FMJ spitzer ammunition produced in 1976.

  • What the Swedish Mauser could have been. Mauser in 8×58mmR Danish Krag, the standard military rifle caliber in Sweden before the 6.5×55mm. Swedish rifle trials of 1892.

References[edit]

  1. ^ abcde'FAQ about Swedish Mauser m/1896, m/1938, Carbine m/1894 and the Ljungman Ag m/42'. www.gotavapen.se.
  2. ^'Mauser Bolt Rifles by Ludwig Olsen, 3rd edition, F. Brownell and Son, Publisher, p. 81
  3. ^Jones, D: Crown Jewels: The Mauser in Sweden, pp. 37, 59, 81, 93. Collector Grade Publications, 2003.
  4. ^de Haas, Frank, Bolt Action Rifles, Northfield, Illinois: DBI Books, Inc. (1984), ISBN0-910676-69-0, p. 31
  5. ^'6.5x55'. www.ballisticstudies.com.
  6. ^'Tale of 2 Swedish Trials rifles from 1892 & bore specs & twist rates'. castboolits.gunloads.com. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  7. ^Jones, p. 66
  8. ^Jones, p. 76
  9. ^Jones, p. 82
  10. ^Jones, p. 83
  11. ^Jones, pp. 95, 97
  12. ^Jowett, Philip; Snodgrass, Brent (5 July 2006). Finland at War 1939–45. Elite 141. Osprey Publishing. p. 48. ISBN9781841769691.
  13. ^ abSchinke, Carsten - Die leichten schwedischen Infanteriegewehre Armee und Heimwehr - Journal-Verlag Schwendt Gmbh (1990) - page 59
  14. ^'Swedish rifles 1963 to 1995'. www.gotavapen.se.
  15. ^Kehaya, Steve and Poyer, Joe, The Swedish Mauser Rifles, Tustin, California: North Cape Publications, Inc. (2011), ISBN978-188239126-4, p. 24
  16. ^Ibid, p. 26
  17. ^Ibid

Further reading[edit]

  • Jones, D (2003). Crown Jewels: The Mauser in Sweden, Collector Grade Publications.
  • Olsen, L (1976). Mauser Bolt Rifles, Brownell's Publishing.
  • Ball, R (1996). Military Mausers of the World (4th ed.), Krause Publications.
  • Kehaya, S & Poyer, J (2011). The Swedish Mauser Rifles (Rev., 3rd ed.), 'For Collectors Only' series, North Cape Publications.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swedish Mauser.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swedish Mauser bolt action.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swedish_Mauser&oldid=897878981'

See Full List On Powerfuldia.netlify.app

Greetings All! A couple of weeks ago I happened to pick up a Swedish Mauser at an estate auction. It is a very nice 1898 dated rifle with the serial number of 379. It is matching except for the floor plate (the magazine box is numbered correctly) and the rear sight leaf. Bluing is 50-60% with most of the thinning on the triggerguard and floor plate. Wood has the usual dings but no major cracks or chips. Both stock and handguard are matching. The bore is a bit frosty but strong. Comments would be appreciated especially concerning the stock. The wood appears to be walnut. Is it French Walnut? Any estimates on value would be appreciated. Below is a link to my Fototime site. http://www.fototime.com/inv/C1043D24859466E
Thanks all
Sam
FAQ about Swedish Mausers.

up dated 2009-10-17

Q: What was the muzzle thread used for?

A: It was used to attach the blank firing device. It is normally found on m/1938 and rarely on m/1896. It is never found on the sniper-version m/1941 or the carbine m/1894.

Q: I have seen a bag on the side on pictures?

A: The bag was used only for peace time exercises to collect spent brass after firing of blanks.

[Top of the page]

Mauser 98 Serial Number Database

Brass disk information.

The disks are positioned upside down on the right side of the stock, because when the soldier who normally is a right-handed shooter, looks at the disk he will have the disk in the right position.

Upside down is a disk from a g m/38;
read the explanation below.

Here we look at a disk from a Ag m/42B;
read the explanation below.

SwedishEnglish
TorpedBullet with boat tail (also means 'torpedo')
Överslag'Point of impact over line of sight' (also means 'estimate')
STR = StreckMills (1 Swedish mill = 1 meter at 1000 meters = 3,6' at 100 yds)
The largest sector is stamped with the calibre of the barrel.

The m/41 round had a much flatter trajectory than the older m/94. As most rifles were already manufactured with iron sights for the 'm/94 bullet', the aiming correction in mills (how much lower you had to aim to hit the target) was inscribed on the brass disc. This is the information in the second sector. It was usually 0,5 mill.

The last sector gives information on the level of bore pitting. 1 means pitting in the groves. 2 means pitting in the groves and on the side of the lands. 3 means pitting in the whole bore (= unserviceable). A rifle would never receive a 3, it would instead be turned in to a work shop, where the old barrel would be exchanged for a new one.

Brass disk with two wholes (courtesy of Mats Persson)

Used on the m/94 carbine, the m/96 and m/38 rifles as well as on LMGs and SMGs.

This type showed which unit the rifle belonged to.

Army

Often in the form of:
5
----- No.7
I.2
Which means; Rifle number 7, at the 5th Company,
at the 2nd Infantry Regiment.
The letter in front of the regiment number (beneath the horizontal line);

IInfanteri (I1 - I29) Infantry
KKavalleri (K1 - K9)Cavalry
AArtilleri (A1 - A9) Artillery
TTrängen (T1 - T4) Maintenance and Supply Troops
IKIngenjörskåren Engineer Corps

Sometimes there is a letter behind the regiment.
This is the notation for a detachment, the letter is the first letter
in the name of the place for the detachment.

Other army units;

KKSKungliga KrigsskolanThe Royal Military Collage (early code)
KSKrigsskolanThe Royal Military Collage
SSInfanteriskjutskolanThe Infantry Musketry School
SSÖInfanteriskjutskolans övningskompaniThe Exercise Company of the Infantry Musketry School
AUSArméns underofficersskolaThe Army Warrant Officers School
BF Fästningspolisen i BodenThe Fortress Police in Boden
K-g Volontärskolan i Karlsborg The Volunteer School in Karlsborg
N-gVolontärskolan i Norrköping The Volunteer School in Norrköping

There could be a letter instead of a figure above the horizontal line
(and sometimes no regiment):
S
----- No.124
I.16

SSkarpskjutningsvapen Weapons used for practice with live ammunition (aluminium disk)
LLösskjutningsvapen Weapons used for blank firing
KKammarvapen Weapons used for gallery shooting
UUtlåningsgevär Weapons that could be borrowed by civilian rifle organizations
DKompanigevär vid infanteriet Weapons that belongs to a certain company (only at Infantry regiments)
BBefälsvapen Weapons used by Officers for practice (no horizontal bar beneath the B)
KprKulsprutekompaniet The Machine gun company (only at Infantry regiments)

The disc could also look like:

L
----- No.72 No.5
I.19

Which means; Rifle number 5, at the 72nd Landstormen area,
attached to the 19th Infantry Regiment.
'Landstormen' was the name for the Swedish Teritorial Army.

Or:
VO
----- No.20
III AF

Which means; Rifle number 20, at the bicycle-dispatch unit
(velocipedordonans), at the 3rd Army Division (armefördelning).
Only on carbine m/94.

Some later codes or abbreviations for regiments or other army-units,
that may appear together with a number:

Tyg Fälttygkåren (Tyg1-Tyg3) Ordnance Corps
Int Intendenturkåren (Int1-Int4) Quartermaster Corps
Ing Ingenjörstrupperna (Ing1-Ing5) Engineer Troops

Even later also:

SSignaltrupperna (S1-S3)Signal Troops
LvLuftvärnet (Lv1-Lv7)Anti-aircraft Artillery
PPansartrupperna (P1-P7;P10;P18)Armoured Troops
AfArmeflyg (Af1;Af2)Army Air Corps

Some weapons stored in the Armys Supply Services Armourys

IFSIntendenturförådet i StockholmThe Stckholm Armoury
IFKIntendenturförådet i KarlsborgThe Karlsborg Armoury
IFBIntendenturförådet i BodenThe Boden Armoury


There was one exception from this kind of 'unit'-disk.
The m/41 snipers rifle had a disk with the text;
'G m/41 B'
Which reads 'Gevär m/41 B' ('Rifle model 41B').

Navy

The Swedish Navy often used;

Kgl flKungliga flottan the Royal Fleet

The Navy used to be organized in four districts;

MDO Ostkustens Marindistrikt Naval Command East
MDS Sydkustens Marindistrikt Naval Command South
MDN Norrlandskustens Marindistrikt Naval Command North
MDV Västkustens Marindistrikt Naval Command West

The Coast Artillery (that was a part of the Navy) sometimes used;

SKStockholms Kustartilleriförsvar (posted at KA1 in Vaxholm)the Coast Artillery at Stockholm
BKBlekinges Kustartilleriförsvar (posted at KA2 in Karlkrona)the Coast Artillery in Blekinge
GKGotlands Kustartilleriförsvar (posted at KA3 at Fårösund)the Coast Artillery on Gotland
GbKGöteborgs Kustartilleriförsvar (posted at KA4 in Göteborg)the Coast Artillery at Göteborg
HKHemsö Kustartilleriförsvar (posted at KA4H in Härnösand)the Coast Artillery at Hemsö

(HK was later changed to NK and KA4H was changed to KA5)

It seems like the Coast Artillery also used the KA1 - KA5 denotations.

The Navy also used numerous other markings, like:

ÖVG Örlogsvarvet Göteborg the Navy dockyard in Göteborg

Air Force

The Swedish Air Force used;

F Flygflottilj (F1 - F22) Air Force Station (Group)

[Top of the page]

Was there a special sniper rifle version of the m/96?

Yes, there was a special sniper rifle version of the m/96 designated rifle m/41 ('Gevär m/41'). These rifles were selected species of 'well shooting' m/96's. Prior to the modifications their bores were checked and the rifles were fired for accuracy. The modifications consisted of drilling and tapping the receiver on the left side of the receiver and to mount a telescopic sight with mount. These sniper rifles are now obsolete, and were replaced in 1991 with the modern 7,62 mm sniper rifle PSG 90.

This rifle had a a two whole brass disk, which reads:

'G m/41 B'
Translated - 'Gevär m/41 B' ('Rifle model 41B').

What does the 'turn down bolt handle' indicate?
A 'turn down bolt handle' on m/1938 rifles indicates that the rifle is a converted m/1896. All m/96 had straight bolt handles. Husqvarna made m/1938 were normally produced as m/38 with the handle down from the beginning (like the picture above). However there is a small number of HVA produced m/1896 (with straight handles).
Q: Why is there a lug on the cooking piece?
The soldiers were allowed to dry fire the rifles in training if they first put a piece of leather between the cooking piece and the bolt. That was the reason for the lug on the cooking piece. On the picture the mechanism is cocked and locked. Safe to the same side as the handle!

The reason for the checkering of the cooking piece is to make it easier to dismantle the bolt.

[Top of the page]

Q: What accessories were used?

The following accessories have been used over the years: Sony tv serials desi tv.

  • Leather sling (m/1938 with hook)
  • Oil can
  • Cleaning brush
  • Illuminating night sights
  • Bayonet >>>>>>>>>>>>> See article about bayonets
  • Blank firing device
  • Spent case collector
  • Cleaning cord (for the carbine, which did not have a cleaning rod)
  • Front sight adjustment tool (after 1950)
Illuminating night sights

Front sight adjustment vise

Different front sight adjustment vises were used. On top m/43G marked with instructions for adjusting the sight of the m/96 and m/38.

To the left another type of adjustment vise.

[Top of the page]

Q: Why is the cleaning rod so short?
There was an attachment that should have been used, but it was never issued for the field service - only for peace time cleaning in the barracks. It looked like this.

This Muzzle protection was normally used together with the cleaning rod.

Q: What was the purpose of the hole in the front barrel band?

It was used during rests when the soldiers connected their rifles together with a cleaning rod through this hole.

Bolt handles on Kar m/94, Rifle m/96 and m/38.

Mechanism of
Carbine m/94
Mechanism of
Short rifle m/38 type 2
Mechanism of
Long rifle m/96 and
Short rifle m/38 type 1
Mechanism of
Long rifle m/96

Production figures for the Swedish Army Rifles
m/1896, m/1938, m/1941 and Carbine m/1894.

WeaponManufacturer

Production

Quantity

Carbine m/94 ('Karbin m/94')Mauser

1894-1896

12.000

Carbine m/94 ('Karbin m/94')Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori

1895-1933

115.000

Rifle m/96 ('Gevär m/96')Mauser

1896-1899

40.000

Rifle m/96 ('Gevär m/96')Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori

1899-1936

475.000

Rifle m/96 ('Gevär m/96')Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB (HVA)

1942-1944

20.000

Rifle m/38 ('Gevär m/38')Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori

1938-1940

55.080 m/96 were converted to m/38

Rifle m/38 ('Gevär m/38')Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB (HVA)

1942-1944

88.150

Sniper rifle m/41 ('Gevär m/41')Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori

1941-1943

5.300 selected and modified m/96

Husqvarna Vapenfabrik AB

Serial Numbers/year

Rifle m/38 (Gev m/38)Low HighQuantity
194160003562871728 672
194262882266760338 781
194366978368393914 156
19447040007059691 969
Rifle m/96 (Gev m/96)Low HighQuantity
1942695810
19436890876978378 750
19446976417029695 328
1945698649

Mauser 98 Rifle Serial Numbers

[Top of the page]





broken image