I agree with the other poster that condition does dictate the price, but I'll add that the retail prices on the Swedes has almost doubled here in the Northeast due to lack of availibility. A 96/38 Swedish Mauser with all matching numbers and a bore condition of "1" [check the marking disk on the stock] is probably worth more than that - provided that the rest of the rifle is in good/very good+ shape too.
A true Model "96/38" will have a straight bolt, like the original Model 96 & the barrel is about 24" long (23.6" on the Model 38 with the turned-down bolt, made from 1941 to 1944). Most Swede's will show minor to major handling nicks, marks or dents on the wood stocks, but the barrels are usually very good. IMHO a Swede barrel graded as "3" on the stock disk, which would typically mean "scheduled for replacement", is better than your average Mauser barrel. The Swedish steel has a high copper content, so parts like the bolt, follower and butt plate which were left "in the white" will usually show very little corrosion, if any.
Most 96/38's will not have all matching numbers, since the parts got all mixed around when the 96's were in process of being converted to the shorter Model 38 "Short Rifle" configuration. Compare prices by looking at the Samco website at "www.samcoglobal.com".
The 6.5 Swede is an exceptionally accurate cartridge, yet the mild recoil hides its true potential as a game-getter. It is an excellent deer & antelope round. Some noted firearm authorities have commented that the long slender bullets have a high sectional density, making the 140 grain Swede bullet the equivalent of a 220 grain .30 caliber in terms of penetration and performance.
Hard to believe? Perhaps -- but the 10,000+ moose harvested annually in Scandinavia by this classic 100-year-old cartridge don't seem to complain much about its ballistics on paper. Dead is dead, and with careful shot placement and stalking within 200 meters, most moose taken are one-shot kills.
The 6.5 Swede is an excellent handloading cartridge and the Model 96/38 is a lot handier at the bench or in the woods than the longer Model 96. Most shooters buy
one intending to eventually sporterize it, but many never do and they hunt with them just as they were originally made.
Do a search on Swedish Mausers on the net as there are some great didicated sites out there for these fine rifles!
Tight groups!
[This message has been edited by Lefty (edited April 26, 2000).]