Mauser Built M96 Swedish Long Rifle…………SOLD

An early German built M96 Swedish Long Rifle.

Clearly a German built M96, the breech reading as follows; “WAFFENFABRIK / MAUSER / OBERNDORF A/N  / 1900”  These rifles were built by the Mauser factory at Oberndorf whilst the company was waiting to complete the installation of  manufacturing machinery in Sweden.  They were built to keep up with the order requirements of the Swedish army.

On the sidewall of the action is the serial number 52217, which places it in the last part of the year 1900. The inspectors initials “O.G” are stamped beside the serial number.  Olof Gibson was inspector in charge at the Carl Gustafs Stads Factory from May 1898 to March 1902.  It is presumed he must have passed the rifles when they arrived in Sweden from Germany.  He was a captain in the artillery.

The action has retained a 100% of its blued finish.  The straight handle bolt is finished in the white and has been polished to a high degree, as is quite normal with these weapons.  All the bolt components retain the last three digits of the serial number.  The safety and bolt head have the neat cross-hatched operating surfaces in fine condition.  The bolt release catch has a strong nitre-blued spring and is numbered on top “217”.

All other components retain the 217 of the serial number.  Overall the rifle is 49.1/2″ long.  The round blued barrel is 29″ long with a stepped muzzle to accept a bayonet.  The full length cleaning rod is present but numbered 009.  Two blued swing swivels.  The trigger guard and magazine floor plate retain 90% of their finish.  The steel butt plate has turned to silver grey from use.  Conventional military sights with all components numbered to the gun.

The main clue to the excellent condition of this rifle is found stamped into the stock behind the trigger guard. There is a small crown over the initials “Ch.”  This indicates inspection after rework at Kristianstad.  The RHS of the butt-stock has the later single screw brass bore condition disc giving in depth information on bores condition and performance.

The full length stock is in excellent condition but is one of the original French Walnut stocks made before the First World War stopped the free trade of such commodities as timber.  It carries a few small dents and dings but has lasted remarkably well, many of these stocks have been replaced and it is difficult to find them on these rifles.  This is a rare and matching Swedish Mauser (apart from cleaning rod) with a good bore and superb action.

Stock code: f 240
£825 …SOLD.

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