Chilean Mauser.

[v/dBrink]

I especially like the 1895s marked OVS or Orange Free State for the Boer republic. Many of these can be found in nice condition, contracted rifles that didn't make it to South Africa in time for the conflict.

The OVS and Zuid Afrikan rifles are 1893 models.

And they made it in time but were turned back by British blockades. Returned to Germany and rollmarked with the Chilean crest and sent off to Chile.

[v/dBrink]

Between the 1895 Chilean and the 1896 Swede (1894 action) I would have to give the "edge" to the 1894/96 Swede as it had the bolt guide rib which allowed a smoother and more reliable action of the bolt.....

The 1893 (and 1895 Chilean) model Mauser has the bolt guide rib in the left-side wall of the receiver. In practice and in rapid fire the 1893 bolt guide design is superior to the m/1894 Swedish expedient design. The Swedish design eliminated the 1893 bolt guide rib. It was cheaper and easier to produce using a simple guide rib on top of the bolt body. It was not "better" than the 1893 design.

What makes it superior? With a straight handled bolt the impetus of thrust is straight down and forward in the loading & chambering operation. The Swedish guide rib is on top of the bolt and does nothing during this loading operation while the 1893 design does an excellent job of increasing smoothness during rapid loading/firing.

You have to actually do it (rapid fire) with both rifles and you'll feel the difference...

[v/dBrink]

Many people believe the 1895 Chilean Mauser, not the 1896 Swedish is the finest small ring Mauser. I think it is too close to call myself. But both rifles and both cartridges are fine indeed.

The problem with comparisons is those doing the comparisons are not looking at rifles from both mfgs in equal condition. You would be beyond fortunate to find a Swede in un-rebuilt condition as-manufactured that was unused, unissued, unfired. Generally they don't exist, especially in the American collecting community.

However, thousands of 1891 Argentine, 1893 OVS, 1895 Chileans, 1908 Brazilians and 1909 Argentines were imported into the US in "new" condition pre-1968. They were still in the 10-rifle wooden crates as they were when they left Germany. I owned 1893 OVS 8776 in 1968. Stone mint rifle.

Ludwig Loewe, IMO, had the highest quality control of anybody anywhere building any kind of military rifle. I've seen erroneous claims that the Czech Persian 98/29 are as fine as any of the German rifles. Not true. While the Czech rifles are "as good as" when it comes to metallurgy, strength, quality, they do not meet the same standard when it comes to fit and finish of the German or FN Mausers.

[SVT-40]

The problem with comparisons is those doing the comparisons are not looking at rifles from both mfgs in equal condition. You would be beyond fortunate to find a Swede in un-rebuilt condition as-manufactured that was unused, unissued, unfired. Generally they don't exist, especially in the American collecting community.

Swedish Mauser rifles in new un-rebuilt condition are uncommon, however there are a few examples here in the US. There are no "un-fired" examples of military Mauser rifles anywhere, as ALL Mauser rifles were test fired before leaving the factory......

A few pics of a un-rebuilt, as new M/96. A very late production rifle with a 1948 dated receiver.... Normal production ended in 1925






And a un-rebuilt, as new M/38. Also a late production rifle....

[Bobby Ricigliano]

And he continues to prove my theory!

[Emdawg]

Dang SVT! I picked up a M38 made in the same year and shape, but I sold it.

[Capybara]

Wow SVT. Truly a beautiful rifle, makes me want one very badly