Swedish Mauser - decided!

[SanDiego619]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing a Swedish Mauser 6.5x55

I see some older ones, 1904 with no bayonet, and then 1917 with a bayonet and leather sling. Which one is more valuable, or will be more likely to increase in value? I think it would be cool to have one with a bayonet and sling but I also like the idea of having an older one. They are pretty close in price when in similar condition with matching numbers.

I also see some 1899 conversions but I like the idea of having an original unconverted one.

Just wondering what would be more valuable in the future. Instinctively older seems rarer, thus more valuable, but a 1917 with bayonet and frog might be worth more with the accessories included.

I predict some will say buy what I want more, but I still would like some input as I have never purchased a C&R gun.

Thank you very much.

[Verdha603]

I'd suggest the 1917 with bayonet/sling. Unless you manage to snag one made before 1898 (aka an "antique") I don't think the extra couple years increases the value that much. The bayonet and sling in comparison do command some extra value.

[Donkeypunch0420]

Go with the one with the better bore, more matching parts, better overall condition. If all things are equal, and price is the same, then go for the 1917 with accessories. Huskies tend to bring a little more too. I personally like the 1917 year, just because it's a wartime made rifle and the world was in turmoil when that rifle was built. Obviously the Swedes stayed out of the conflict, but that doesn't mean the craftsman that made the rifle wasn't stressed out about Sweden's proximity to the war.

[SanDiego619]

I'd suggest the 1917 with bayonet/sling. Unless you manage to snag one made before 1898 (aka an "antique") I don't think the extra couple years increases the value that much. The bayonet and sling in comparison do command some extra value.

Thank you, I was thinking that might be the case. Another thing I noticed is the older ones have non-threaded muzzles. From my googling, they were originally non-threaded and threaded muzzles were likely modified to be threaded after manufacture. I wonder if a non-threaded muzzle would be worth more than a threaded muzzle with bayonet.

Maybe I should buy two, if only I was made of money. I really like the bayonet, but I also really like an unmodified gun. Tough to decide.

[SanDiego619]

Go with the one with the better bore, more matching parts, better overall condition. If all things are equal, and price is the same, then go for the 1917 with accessories. Huskies tend to bring a little more too. I personally like the 1917 year, just because it's a wartime made rifle and the world was in turmoil when that rifle was built. Obviously the Swedes stayed out of the conflict, but that doesn't mean the craftsman that made the rifle wasn't stressed out about Sweden's proximity to the war.

Another excellent point. I forgot 1917 was during ww1. Thank you for that, another vote for 1917.

[Danodog]

I owned two Swedish Mauser's. One was a long version the other was the 96/38. I still own the 96/38. It was factory refurbished with a new barrel. Both were incredible shooters and are just too fun to shoot. If you can find a 40's Husqvarna Model, you will be thrilled with the turned down bolt. I have seen some that look new and unissued. But they come with a big price tag.

Here is one of the beauties that I speak of.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878952003

[SanDiego619]

I owned two Swedish Mauser's. One was a long version the other was the 96/38. I still own the 96/38. It was factory refurbished with a new barrel. Both were incredible shooters and are just too fun to shoot. If you can find a 40's Husqvarna Model, you will be thrilled with the turned down bolt. I have seen some that look new and unissued. But they come with a big price tag.

Here is one of the beauties that I speak of.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878952003

Thanks, that looks like a nice gun, I wonder what it will end up selling for. Are the unconverted 29" guns more collectible since they are all original?

I might do what you did... buy one of each!

[Donkeypunch0420]

^unconverted m38's are the rarest. I've only seen a couple of them in the wild. Standard m96's seem to be the most common. Rest assured though, all are great shooters. My converted m96/38 can hang right there with my m96 in accuracy. I'm sure at distance you'll start to notice the difference, but at regular plinking range, they're both tack drivers.

One more thing is the stock disc. Armorers marked bore condition when the rifle was returned to them last. 0 or no mark for the best or a little triangle around 1, 2, 3 with 3 being the "worst". Don't put too much stock into it though, as these stick discs could easily be changed out. From a value standpoint though, buyers will look more favorably at a low number disc.

[Bainter1212]

I've got an m96, an m38 and an m94 (and a Ljungman). Simpsons LTD had a decent number of Swedes last time I checked. Pick the one in best condition that is all-matching. Accessories are nice too. Price on these doesn't seem to vary much by year or whether the muzzle is threaded or not.

[870classic]

Unless you manage to snag one made before 1898 (aka an "antique")

just to be clear... Unless you manage to snag one made before January 1, 1899.

In other words, as long as the firearm was manufactured on or before December 31, 1898 the firearm is considered an "antique" and therefore does not require an FFL for transfer.

Best regards,
870classic.

[Michael K]

I've forgotten exactly how many Swedish rifles I have, maybe half dozen or so. There's a Ljungman I bought from Dick Hobbs at the San Mateo show in 1992. I got a 1903 from the Cow Palace show in 1990 (also a Madsen and Finn m/28 from the same seller). I ordered a sniper (Ajack 4x90) from Samco in 1997. I forgot where I got a 1915 m/96 from, maybe from Dennis Kroh??? A m/38 Husqvarna from a man named Magruder at San Mateo in 1992. And two more m/38 from John Beale at one other show. There may be one or two others. That's all I can think of. By 1995 I was placing many orders by phone. I haven't been to a show in over a decade so I don't know how many of the old-time sellers are still about. Some were advanced in age, maybe older than I am now. I know John Butler passed years ago.

[SVT-40]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing a Swedish Mauser 6.5x55

I see some older ones, 1904 with no bayonet, and then 1917 with a bayonet and leather sling. Which one is more valuable, or will be more likely to increase in value? I think it would be cool to have one with a bayonet and sling but I also like the idea of having an older one. They are pretty close in price when in similar condition with matching numbers.

I also see some 1899 conversions but I like the idea of having an original unconverted one.

Just wondering what would be more valuable in the future. Instinctively older seems rarer, thus more valuable, but a 1917 with bayonet and frog might be worth more with the accessories included.

I predict some will say buy what I want more, but I still would like some input as I have never purchased a C&R gun.

Thank you very much.

When talking about Swedish Mauser rifles you need to use the proper terminology.

The first Swedish Mauser's were the m/94 carbines produced at the Mauser plant in Germany that started in 1895. Swedish m/94 production followed a few years later at Carl Gufstafs Stads "CG" in 1898. There are also sub types of the m/94 which had different bayonet mounts.

In 1899 m/96 long rifle production started at Mauser. Mauser production ended in 1900. "CG" production started in 1898 and ended in 1927.

Husqvarna also made a very few m/96 rifles in 1942, 1943 and 1944. These were for civilian shooting club use.

In 1937 m/38 rifle production began. with the conversion of M/96 rifles at "CG" Actual m/38 rifle production started in 1941 at Husqvarna and continued through 1944.

So you have three different models of Swedish Mauser's

There is no such thing as a "1899 conversion". Some m/96 rifles were converted into m/38 spec's, but the Swede's also called them m/38's.

There were also different sniper models of the m/96 produced. Later a good number of m/96's were converted for use as target rifles.

In addition a good number of all models were converted into Cg/63 target rifles..

If the m/38 or the m/96 had their muzzles threaded for the blank firing device those rifles had a "b" added to their model number to indicate that modification. "m/38b" or "m/96b".

1917 showed the most production of m/96 rifles. Being it would be the most common, it would be of less collector "value" than a year of lower production.


When buying a Swedish Mauser one must always consider it's condition as well as having all matching numbers. A "b" model would be of less value than a original.

Some pic's of various models.

m/38 1944 basically a new as issued rifle. Very very rare in this condition.






A extremely rare after production CG made rifle. Official production ended in 1927. This rifle was made in 1948 and has a "fractional" serial number. Only a few (less than10) of these exist. It is unknown why, and for what purpose they were made for.

[SanDiego619]

I ordered one!

Thanks for all the info, I ended up not buying one with the bayonet because I wanted to spend a little less, but I did find one with all matching numbers.

Is it unwise to post the serial number? I think if I post exactly what I got someone could probably find the one I bought and see the serial number. I don't do that with guns but it seems like people don't care with really old guns... any problem with posting the serial number?

Thank you

[SanDiego619]

When talking about Swedish Mauser rifles you need to use the proper terminology.

The first Swedish Mauser's were the m/94 carbines produced at the Mauser plant in Germany that started in 1895. Swedish m/94 production followed a few years later at Carl Gufstafs Stads "CG" in 1898. There are also sub types of the m/94 which had different bayonet mounts.

In 1899 m/96 long rifle production started at Mauser. Mauser production ended in 1900. "CG" production started in 1898 and ended in 1927.

Husqvarna also made a very few m/96 rifles in 1942, 1943 and 1944. These were for civilian shooting club use.

In 1937 m/38 rifle production began. with the conversion of M/96 rifles at "CG" Actual m/38 rifle production started in 1941 at Husqvarna and continued through 1944.

So you have three different models of Swedish Mauser's

There is no such thing as a "1899 conversion". Some m/96 rifles were converted into m/38 spec's, but the Swede's also called them m/38's.

There were also different sniper models of the m/96 produced. Later a good number of m/96's were converted for use as target rifles.

In addition a good number of all models were converted into Cg/63 target rifles..

If the m/38 or the m/96 had their muzzles threaded for the blank firing device those rifles had a "b" added to their model number to indicate that modification. "m/38b" or "m/96b".

1917 showed the most production of m/96 rifles. Being it would be the most common, it would be of less collector "value" than a year of lower production.


When buying a Swedish Mauser one must always consider it's condition as well as having all matching numbers. A "b" model would be of less value than a original.

Some pic's of various models.

m/38 1944 basically a new as issued rifle. Very very rare in this condition.

A extremely rare after production CG made rifle. Official production ended in 1927. This rifle was made in 1948 and has a "fractional" serial number. Only a few (less than10) of these exist. It is unknown why, and for what purpose they were made for.

Wow, those look brand new! Do you own those??

I did learn a tiny bit more and your post helps even more, now I know what the B means, and when they were made in Germany or Sweden. The one I bought was not very expensive, it is my "first" one, I am sure I will buy at least one more in the future.

[Mustang]

In my experience, there is not much difference in price between different years of the stock M96. A few collectors go for the low production years, but neither the 1904 nor the 1917 are low production years. In fact, more M96's were produced during 1917 than any other year.

As has been said...for collectibility, go for the all-matching. If both are all-matching, go for the one in overall better condition. If neither are all-matching, pick the one with the most matching parts...especially the bolt-receiver group.

Don't get too hung-up on the bayonet and sling...both are fairly common and neither is particularly expensive.