Fine M1896 Carl Gustafs Mauser Rifle…..(f 603) SOLD

 A very good Model 1896 Swedish Mauser by Carl Gustafs Stads

This is one of the earliest Swedish produced M96 rifles I have seen for a long time, in apparently original condition.  The serial number 170983 puts production in 1905 which concurs with the receiver marking which clearly states the same date.  The receiver is marked with the “Swedish Crown over the CG monogram / CARL GUSTAFS STADS / 1905”.  This is further susatntiated by the inspectors initials marked beside the serial number on the action wall of “J.V.”  These belong to Captain Paul Virgin cheif inspector from October 1905 to September 31st 1911.  Nicely, this narrows down production to the last three months of 1905.  It is rare that one can be so precise with these rifles, but in this case we can.

All numbers match on this rifle, with the exception of the cleaning rod.  All components of the highly polished steel bolt display the last three numbers of the serial number, as does the bolt release, the floor plate of the magazine and the tang of the white metal butt-plate.  The stock fittings also fall in accordingly.  Every part of the ladder sight is marked individually with the matching last three digits. The flat spring which acts upon the ladder has a vivid nitre-blue all over and a clear Carl Gustafs acceptance crown which, is all very pleasing to the eye.  There are numerous Swedish Crown acceptance stamps applied horizontally for production at the Carl Gustafs factory.

The wood to metal fit is excellent and shows no hints of disturbance. This is a strong indication that the rifle has not been seperated from its stock in a very long time.  The  strong grained walnut stock is finished in a semi-matt polish which does seem to have found its way onto some of the metal components, but this is oftenthe case on older rifles.  All the blued components are in their original blue which is strong in some areas but thining on the high points.  The bolt is finished in the white and contrasts nicely with the blued action.  The excellent stock, devoid of any serious faults and untampered look give this rifle a strong feeling of originality.

Overall the rifle is 49.1/2″ in length.  The round blued barrel is 29″ in long with a step-down at the muzzle to accomodate the issued, all steel bayonet. (not included) When the bayonet is fixed the protruding protion of the full length cleaning rod is designed to dissappear inside the handle of the knife.  The trigger pull to center is 13.7/8″.  The fine european walnut stock has a handguard over the barrel which ceases just beyond the mid-barrel band and the lower forend has finger grooves which are 7.1/4″ in length.  The rifle is chambered in the standard Swedish Military caliber 6.5 x 55mm which is deadly accurrate and a pleasure to shoot with its mild recoil.

The rear ladder sight is graduated from 3 to 600 meters in the down position and 7 to 2000 meters when upright.  There is a simple, flat-topped blade front sight and an open “U-notch” rear sight picture, when the sight is laying down.  When slightly more precision is required for the longer distance, the rear sight picture is to an open “V-notch” type.  Both are easy to use ( even for an old duffer like myself.)  The internal five shot magazine can be stripper-clip loaded from above and the thumb recess in the side-wall of the action, allows the rounds to be driven all the way home for positive charging.  The straight handled bolt has the normal ( but extremely well produced ) positive action and flag safety to the rear.  Both the cocking piece and the flag safety have a superb chequered pattern machiened into the contact surfaces for improved purchace.  The rifle has two sling swivels and the floor plate of the magazine is also numbered to the rifle. There is the normal brass bore condition disk set into the side of the but-stock.

In short, this is the rifle I should really keep myself but, “Needs Must…  ..” and all that!  Your choice. I can’t see any faults with it.  Bore is very good with no visible problems, clean & bright.  Action very smooth.

Stock No’  f 603

£ 745.00.   SOLD

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