Swedish Mauser Model 1896 rifle………..SOLD
Created on November 6th 2012
Husqvarna M96 Rifle
An interesting rifle; correct in all ways except the serial number does not match the date by conventional research. It has a very low number which according to references would not have been used at the plant where it was produced. There is no evidence of numbers having been removed and all numbers match. The date and the serial number are on the same component so mixing parts up would be impossible.
The breech markings are as follows; “HUSQVARNA VAPENFABRIKS / AKTIEBOLAG / 1943”. On the side wall of the action, which is the same casting as the 1943, serial number is marked as 2889. Records for Husqvarna show production at the Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag lasting from 1941 to 1945 where serial numbers ranged from 600035 to 705969 the number 2889 would not have been included in production, but the date is correct for the location/maker. It was the established practice to include the complete serial number on the breech wall and the last three digits on all other components, so it is unlikely that any numbers have been omitted from the side wall number block. It is also apparent that there are no inspectors initials on the breech wall.
Very good full length beech stock with finger groves and hand-guard. The stock shows two cartouches impressed into the wrist behind the trigger guard. Bore condition disk let into RHS of the butt. The steel butt-plate has a good degree of colour in the blueing, matching number and Swedish crown inspectors mark on the tang. The trigger guard and magazine floor plate are correctly marked. Barrel band and fore-end cap/ bayonet fitting all numbered and finished in a matt armoury blue.
Straight handled bolt finished in the white. All bolt components with matching numbers and Swedish crowns. Blued bolt removal catch also numbered 889. Magazine follower finished in the white with bold Swedish inspectors crown in center clearly visible. Caliber 6.5 x 55. Overall length with screw-on muzzle break 51.1/8″. Barrel length 29.1/4″. Action excellent bore very good with no pitting or frosting and strong rifling.
The rear sights which are graduated from 3 to 600 meters when lying down and 700 to 2000 meters when upright is made up of several components, some of them quite small – all are individually marked with the 889 of the serial number. It also bears a strong Swedish crown in two places. The cleaning rod is numbered to another rifle, this is not unusual.
The quality of production and finish on these rifles is most fine for a military weapon. Small features such as the checkering on the safety flag and cocking piece are exactly right for the job they were designed for. The action and fit of the bolt are superb, just closing the bolt is part of the joy of shooting these accurate and elegant rifles.
This is a fairly late production Swedish Rifle with all the perfection of Swedish manufacture but also with a quirk which needs investigation.
Stock code; f 280
£ 775….SOLD
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