Help with a Swede Mauser.

F

fast-eddie

New member
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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.

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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.:D

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.
 
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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!
 
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
 
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".

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