Help w/ Swedish (?) 1919 Mauser

**GIZMO8Z** · 09-29-2012, 05:49 PM

Hello, all!

A customer at the recycling facility offered me this rifle. It started out as "This thing is collecting dust in my closet and I want to get rid of it... Here you go!" but quickly turned into "What is the best you can offer me?" when another customer overheard out conversation and blurted out: "THAT THING COULD BE WORTH A FORTUNE!"

Good on the guy for trying to make some money... he has every right to make some money on it... BUT free would have been better for me!

So... I know the pictures that I quickly snapped are crappy... but... What exactly is this thing? Is it worth adding to my collection? and What would a reasonable offer be?

It appears to be numbers matching!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 09-29-2012, 08:31 PM

M1896 Long Rifle made by Carl Gustafs.

No idea on value. While well made, they don't really do it for me with Sweden being neutral in WW2. But a Finnish SA marked one would be more interesting as these did get used in anger.

Cheers, Ade.

**GIZMO8Z** · 09-29-2012, 08:41 PM

by Adrian Stevenson

M1896 Long Rifle made by Carl Gustafs.

No idea on value. While well made, they don't really do it for me with Sweden being neutral in WW2. But a Finnish SA marked one would be more interesting as these did get used in anger.

Cheers, Ade.

That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear, THANKS ADE!

I have already added so many new things recently, especially rifles... and I am quickly running out of space. I'll hold off on this rifle unless he decides to give it away again.

**paco** · 09-29-2012, 09:33 PM

I sold mine for 300€...
Nothing special

**theotherhomer** · 09-30-2012, 01:45 AM

200-500 from what I saw in Washington before I moved, haven't seen one for sale in Albuquerque yet, though, maybe less due to the bolt being turned down. Don't think they originally came with turned down bolts.

**GIZMO8Z** · 10-04-2012, 03:12 PM

Thanks, Paco and Homer. I really do appreciate your info!

**theotherhomer** · 10-04-2012, 09:55 PM

by GIZMO8Z

Thanks, Paco and Homer. I really do appreciate your info!

No problem, offer him around 210-225 if you're interested in the rifle, I hear they're tack drivers.

**lithgow** · 10-05-2012, 12:38 PM

These Mauser rifles are the best made of all the many types made by and for the various countries that used Mauser action rifles-Swedish armed neutrality in both world wars was guaranteed by the large numbers made in Sweden-numbers were sent to Finland and also carried there by Swedish volunteers for use against the Soviets-they are superb target rifles, snipers and straight up military surplus, having been highly maintained by a disciplined army-the use of turned down bolts was primarily for 2 later models: the converted m96/38 and the new made m38, however no distinction was made in replacing an m96 straight bolt with a replacement bent one in Swedish use. The Swedish civil Guard were reluctantly parted from their govt issued m96s in the 1980s finishing a service use of some 90 years.

**GIZMO8Z** · 10-05-2012, 03:39 PM

by lithgow

These Mauser rifles are the best made of all the many types made by and for the various countries that used Mauser action rifles-Swedish armed neutrality in both world wars was guaranteed by the large numbers made in Sweden-numbers were sent to Finland and also carried there by Swedish volunteers for use against the Soviets-they are superb target rifles, snipers and straight up military surplus, having been highly maintained by a disciplined army-the use of turned down bolts was primarily for 2 later models: the converted m96/38 and the new made m38, however no distinction was made in replacing an m96 straight bolt with a replacement bent one in Swedish use. The Swedish civil Guard were reluctantly parted from their govt issued m96s in the 1980s finishing a service use of some 90 years.

Amazingly informative, thanks Lithgow!