View Full Version : New Swedish M96
I recently won this M96 at an on-line auction. It looks to be in extremely good shape and these are becoming a little pricey here in California. Thought I better get it while the getting it is still good.
It is not "all matching", but isn't a total mix-master, either. The receiver, bolt, all bolt parts, buttplate and stock are all matching. The floor plate, bolt release, barrel bands are not. Stock disc is marked "1" in the barrel condition segment.
Did Swedish armories play "mix and match" with these rifles when they were in for service, or was this likely put together with non-matching parts after it was imported?
I'll try to get a bore picture posted.
Nice piece Calfed. I would like to find one already butchered up but in good condition to put into use as a hunting sporter.
Looks like a really nice piece! Good find.
Ed
Thanks, Ed and Bud
hoping to shoot it this week sometime.
If there was a forum for Swiss rifles on this website, I would post pics of the 3 Swiss rifles I also got at the auction.
Griff Murphey
08-15-2012, 08:19
Swiss rifles shoot too well and ought to be illegal in CMP competition for MILITARY rifles.... They never saw combat!
lol--so too then the Swede Mauser
milsurpman
08-16-2012, 04:27
'If there was a forum for Swiss rifles on this website, I would post pics of the 3 Swiss rifles I also got at the auction'
Post em up! would love to see them. Put them up on guntalk.
You're on!
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?31832-Swiss-rifles&p=249483#post249483
jon_norstog
08-16-2012, 06:34
Calfed,
The Swedes I've owned all had 100% matching numbers. The floor plate is something they definitely would have kept with it's original rifle, ditto the bolt release. Something happened. At the same time it looks like a rifle that never saw service. I've seen that finish on the stock before, most recently on my mint Ljungman that I sold like a fool.
Parts may have been robbed from your rifle and sent to field units ... and then when the '96es were finally sold off, your partial gun got whatever was available.
BTW, the Swedes were death on Norwegian resistance fighters. Even after the war, my grandmother was briefly a POW in a border incident. She told the story funny, but it was live ammo.
jn
Highpower
08-17-2012, 08:11
I feel your pain. I have a very nice M96 that is matching except for the bolt (which matches itself) and the buttplate. It also has a "1" bore and is drilled and tapped for the Swedish target sight.
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-KJqnSfT/0/L/IMG1424-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-tvx6mQL/0/L/IMG1418-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-TL5zQpT/0/L/IMG1419-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-JdDW8j8/0/L/IMG1421-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-STDNPNW/0/L/IMG1422-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-MWmW39S/0/L/IMG1420-L.jpg
http://highpower.smugmug.com/Other/Swedish-M96/i-VZhncLJ/0/L/IMG1423-L.jpg
Calfed,
The Swedes I've owned all had 100% matching numbers. The floor plate is something they definitely would have kept with it's original rifle, ditto the bolt release. Something happened. At the same time it looks like a rifle that never saw service. I've seen that finish on the stock before, most recently on my mint Ljungman that I sold like a fool.
Parts may have been robbed from your rifle and sent to field units ... and then when the '96es were finally sold off, your partial gun got whatever was available.
BTW, the Swedes were death on Norwegian resistance fighters. Even after the war, my grandmother was briefly a POW in a border incident. She told the story funny, but it was live ammo.
jn
Jon, thanks for the feedback
Most of my Swedish Mausers are matching also. This one, while not matching, is in great shape and I believe it will be a good shooter.
I found an arsenal stamp on the underside of the stock, behind the trigger guard indicating that it underwent repair/rebuild at at the Tygstation (Army Armory workshop) in Östersund.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/Untitled-63.jpg
A number of posters on other sites have suggested that it may have received a new stock and other parts at the repair facility.
I'm planning on shooting in a vintage military silhouette match this weekend and may use this rifle. I took it to the range yesterday along with a few other rifles and tried a few rounds of different types of ammo. The group wasn't bad, especially considering that I was shooting 2 rounds each of three different types of ammo.
I know this doesn't prove much, but here is the target I shot with the M96 yesterday. two rounds each of Fiocci, Hornady and Prvi match ammo @ 100 yards. Main thing for me was to find out if the windage was on and to fire the thing and make sure it hit paper.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/targets/Untitled-16.jpg
Considering that it was three different brands and bullet weights, I was surprised that the group was as good as it was.
I'll see what I have left over after the match tomorrow and try for a real group.
I feel your pain. I have a very nice M96 that is matching except for the bolt (which matches itself) and the buttplate. It also has a "1" bore and is drilled and tapped for the Swedish target sight.
Nice looking M96, HP. How does it shoot?
jon_norstog
08-17-2012, 10:38
I know this doesn't prove much, but here is the target I shot with the M96 yesterday. two rounds each of Fiocci, Hornady and Prvi match ammo @ 100 yards........
Calfed,
That's a pretty typical group for a Swede. Every one I ever had strung shots vertically. But once the barrel heats up, then you start getting these one-ragged-hole groups. Too bad that kind of shooting burns up a barrel.
The basic rifle is more accurate than almost any modern sporting rifle you can buy, out of the box. I think the military stock and hardware are what cause vertical stringing as the barrel heats up. I've tried everything!
Good luck!
jn
Highpower
08-18-2012, 03:36
I don't know yet. I've only had it for a few days and so far, no time to go to the range. However, if it shoots as good as the one I let get away, It should be a tack driver.
Mine has the arsenal rework also.
A couple of posters on other boards have advised that a crown stamp on the stock, behind the trigger guard indicates that the rifle has received arsenal work. It is possible that the non-matching parts parts were installed in Sweden at the military arsenal.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/Untitled-63.jpg
Hard to get my cheap camera to show how nice the bore is.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/Untitled-67.jpghttp://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/Untitled-68.jpg
Went to the range last week and shot some new Swiss rifles and this Swede.
I only had a few minutes to kill, so was only able to shoot a few groups with each rifle. The Fiocci 142 gr rounds were kind of mediocre @ 100 yards
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/targets/Untitled-23.jpg
The Prvi 120 grain match @ 100 yards was better.
http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo32/grant729/targets/Untitled-19.jpg
I still haven't handloaded any 6.5 x 55 rounds yet. That is next on my reloading list. I'll also try a group with the Hornady match.
Swiss rifles shoot too well and ought to be illegal in CMP competition for MILITARY rifles.... They never saw combat!
lol--so too then the Swede Mauser
Swede Mausers were sent to Finland for the Winter & Continuation Wars so I guess they'd qualify.
Well, I'm not aware of any "combat" requirement for military rifles to be used in CMP military matches and there is no doubt that the Swiss rifles were military rifles. I think Griff tipped his hand with
Swiss rifles shoot too well ...!
Swiss rifles shoot too well and ought to be illegal in CMP competition for MILITARY rifles.... They never saw combat!
Actually, Swedish volunteers fought with m96 rifles against the Russians in the Winter War. The Swedes also gave some to the Finns. Later, the Swedes bought some of them back. Look for a "SA" in a box on the receiver.
I actually was aware of the Swedish Mauser's "combat pedigree" in Finland. My mother is Finnish-Swedish (Pomola) and told me that her grandparents took great pride in all the Russian ass the Finns kicked during the Winter war. There are references to the M96's use during that war in "Crown Jewels"
I've heard that some Swiss rifles were used by the Israelis during the late 40's and 50's in their various wars with the Arabs. If true, it might give a "combat pedigree" to the Swiss rifles.
However, as I said, I suspect Griff really objects to Swiss rifles because they are just so damn accurate (as are the Swedish rifles) :)
Here is the Swede I bought a while back for $240. All of the numbers match and the stock is very nice. I handload for it.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/001-86.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/015-27.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/016-25.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/013-29.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/019-16.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/021-10.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/014-29.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/Gutss/011-40.jpg
fredtheobviouspseudonym
02-22-2013, 11:54
IIRC the Finns in 1939-40 used the Swedish Mausers as sniper rifles.
Considering Finnish gunsmithing that's kind of like Enzo Ferrari borrowing a car because he wanted to go fast . . .
jon_norstog
02-23-2013, 08:17
Guts,
Years ago I ordered a Swede rifle stock from an outlet in Jersey. I called them up and asked if they could find me one in walnut. WHen it arrived, it was a beautiful red walnut with black striping like yours. I used it to build up a "Mexican Swede" on a '98 Mex action but with the Swede stock and hardware. It is the most beautiful milsurp wood I have ever seen. I thought it might be French walnut.
jn
GUTS, that is a very nice looking Swede...what is your pet handload for it?
I've got couple of M96's and M38's and am just starting to load 6.5 x 55.
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