Can you identify this swede?
The price was right so I brought it home. The receiver is marked HUSQVARNA VAPENFABRIKS with AKTIEBOLAG under it and dated 1941. Serial #621###. All the numbers match and there are no import stamps. Caliber is 6.5x55. Barrel is 21.5" with a recessed crown. Has a very nice monte carlo stock but I don,t think it's original to the gun. Is this a commercial Husqvarna or military? Thanks in advance for any info!
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Dated 1941 it is most likely a military rifle converted to a sporter, very possibly by Husqvarna. 0 -
I am unaware of any commercial rifle production by Husqvarna prior to 1946. Husqvarna was a private firm as opposed to Carl Gustav and both of whom manufactured Mauser type rifles for Swedish armed forces prior to WWII. The first action used by Husqvarna sporting rifles was the standard 1896 Swedish Mauser action, though this was soon changed to a near copy of the FN Mle.24 action. Your rifle no doubt uses a surplus Swedish Mauser action and was probably made from a Model 1938 short rifle since the receiver is dated 1941.
Your new rifle could have been one of these early sporting rifles made by the firm in 1946...or someone else could have done the same conversion some where along the line. Since it has all matching numbers I'm betting it is a converted military rifle. The 1938 rifle had a 23-1/2" barrel, so your's has certianly been shortend, and had a turned down bolt handle which made them more popular for sporter conversions. It sounds like a nice rifle reguardless. Keep in mind that those Swedish Mauser actions, while strong, are still designed to handle only standard military chamber pressures of around 45,000 cup. So if you reload, don't push it!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Thanks for the info! Took it to the range and PMC 140grns shot a .85 group at 65 yds (was getting dark, couldn't see at 100)I thought I had a real gem untill I could not close the action! If I close the action and put the safety at 12 O'clock and the open the action the bolt shroud turns freely. Is this a broken or missing part? I don't like the idea of having to take the safety off to eject a loaded round. Please Help! 0 -
When you put the safety at 12:00 and open the bolt, it is supposed to unscrew. If you remove the bolt from the rifle you can now disassemble the bolt. Are you saying that after firing you cannot close the action on an empty chamber? I am not quite sure what you mean by this. Certainly you should not have to manipulate the safety after firing to eject. Having the safety at 3:00 is full safe. Nine O'clock is fire. Don't worry, we'll get it figured out. That .85 group is the mark of the Swede Mauser, one of my favorite rifles.
Edited by - allen griggs on 10/16/2002 20:17:440 -
Sorry..I didn't know that it was supposed to unscrew that easily. I grabbed one of my 98k mausers and it didn't do this. I realise this is the earlier action design, I'm just not familiar with it. Now..how bout some mods to this rifle. I want to drill and tap it for a scope as it now only has a peep sight and front sight. Should I use weaver bases or a one piece? How bout a different safety? Can I install a low side swing safety just like my scoped 98? Would a different trigger witha new safety be better? 0 -
Someone else will have to give you the scoop on adding the scope. In fact I have one like yours, which is the model 38, that is still in the original military configuration that I am going to sporterize next year. Jonk and Kimber and others know your answers. But, I bet once you put a scope on this bad boy it will outshoot the 98. Many regard the Swede as the most accurate Mauser of all. By the time this rifle went into full production, 1898, it had already been made obsolete by the Model 98. Yet the Swedes continued production for over 40 years 'cause they knew they had a good thing.
ps Would you mind saying what it cost?
ps2 Did you mean that when the magazine is empty you can't close the bolt? These guns were designed this way, so that a soldier in the excitement of combat would not close the bolt, thinking he had a loaded rifle. You can grind down that part of the magazine if you want to make it close on an empty chamber.
Edited by - allen griggs on 10/16/2002 22:09:57
Edited by - allen griggs on 10/16/2002 22:31:020 -
I had a 6.5x55 long ago made by winchester that I never should of sold, but ammo was hard to get at the time so I got rid of it. Now I got another one.
The bolt was not closing because the bolt shroud was turning and I did not notice it right away. The mag follower was already modified so it didn't catch the bolt. I will wait for some more advice on the right scope mounts. I took the williams peep sight off and will sell it. I have a 2-7 leupold just waiting for a home. All together, I got a great caliber in a very accurate and nice looking gun. My total investment in the gun is $295.00. I will wait till I get it scoped and some handloads ironed out to know for sure. All in all it already earned itself a place next to my 98s and contenders.0 -
Once you get back to the second page you have slipped through the cracks. If you would post this again, under the title "How do I put a scope on a Swede Mauser" or some such thing I bet you will get your answers. Meanwhile you can go to google and punch in "crufflestopheles". You want Mr. Crufflestopheles home page. He has sporterized two Swedes and he gives details. Also, chuckhawks.com has some interesting articles on your new gem, one on the 6.5 Swede cartridge and one on 6.5 rifles in general. He has reloading data and even tells why more Polar bears have been killed with this little cartridge than any other, strange as that may seem. Good luck. 0
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