My Swedish m/38 Short Rifle in 6.5mm

[lithgow]

The Swedish m/38 is arguably the best made Mauser type with the hardest steel receiver of any military bolt action rifle. In the 1930s along with many other armies the growing number of specialist support troops in the Swedish forces who found the standard rifle too long and cumbersome resulted in the conversion of some 30,000 existing m/96 long rifles to the m/96-38 pattern with a new barrel shortened to 587mm from the m/96's 739mm. These proved popular in service so a contract for new build rifles designated m/38 was ordered from Husqvarna as the state Carl Gustaf factory was busy with other weapons as WW2 was in progress by 1941 when production began.
Some 60,000 were made 1941-44, early production such as my example being sighted for the original 'round nose' m/94 bullet while later ones had sights adjusted for the new higher velocity m/96-41 pointed 'torped' round. Both types were used in service so small plates or decals with range info were attached to the butt to allow the shooter to adjust the point of aim. Both types of ammunition are in the main picture along with a late drill round as well as the standard Swedish m/96 bayonet for the various rifles.

[packin9]

Looks in pretty good shape lithgow, bluing,wood etc. Ron