Original Item: Only one Available. "Swedish Mausers" are a family of bolt-action rifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden. These are the m/94 (Model 1894) carbine, m/96 (Model 1896) long rifle, m/38 (Model 1938) short rifle and m/41 (Model 1941) sniper rifle. In 1898 production began at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

All Swedish Mausers were chambered for the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP). Swedish Mausers were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser AG in Oberndorf a/N in Germany and in Sweden by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper, and vanadium, a product then noted for its strength and corrosion resistance.

The Model 1896 rifle in 6.5×55mm (6,5 mm Gevär m/96) was adopted in 1896 for infantry use, replacing the Model 1867–1889 Remington rolling block rifle in 8×58mmR Danish Krag. Swedish production (under license) started in 1898 at Carl Gustafs, but additional rifles were produced by Mauser during 1899 and 1900 because of delays in shipping additional production machinery from Germany to Sweden. For this reason, only 1,200 were made during the first year of production, 1898, and only these 1,200 are Pre-1899 Antique Rifles, with all other m/1896 rifles made after this point.

Standard production at Carl Gustafs continued until 1925, but approximately 18,000 m/96 rifles were manufactured by Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB during World War II for civilian marksmanship training. Mauser produced 40,000 m/1896 long rifles between 1899 and 1900, Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori 475,000 m/1896 between 1896 and 1932 and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB 20,000 m/1896 between 1942 and 1944. Giving a total of 535,000 m/96 long rifles.

This is a great example of one of the first 1,200 Swedish m/1896 Long Rifles made in Sweden at Carl Gustafs, made in 1898 as indicated on the top front of the receiver:-

The left side of the receiver is marked with serial number 1195, while the bolt. firing pin holder, magazine floor plate, and butt plate are marked with shortened serial number 195. The barrel bands are however non-matching, as is the cleaning rod, so it does look to have had parts swapped out at arsenal for some reason. There is also an intact brass marking disk on the right side of the stock, however it does not appear to have a unit marking on it, and instead is marked with Torped (Torpedo) and Överslag (Overview) and a series of numbers in order. We think possibly this may have been used for some type of trials.

Condition of the rifle is very good, near excellent, with the metalwork still showing strong bluing on many components, though it does look like it may have had the finish touched up at some point at arsenal, as the rear sight is fully blued. We also noticed that the rear screw for the rear sight is missing, though the sight still functions perfectly. The bolt still retains the bright still finish and looks great. The stock is in excellent condition, looking almost like an arsenal spare and showing little to no wear.

The bolt cycles well with a crisp dry fire, and the magazine follower correctly pops up to obstruct the bolt when the magazine is empty. This made sure that the soldier would remember to load a new stripper clip into the internal magazine. The bolt removes easily, and still retains the firing pin and extractor. The "wing" safety is fully functional, preventing firing in the middle position, and locking the bolt closed when moved all the way to the right. This early revision can also engage the safety when the gun is not cocked as well, something usually not seen. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and does not look to have seen any major use during its life. There is just a bit of a primer ring on the bolt face.

Overall a fantastic example of a very hard to find Antique Swedish Mauser rifle, one of only 1,200 made prior to 1899 and therefore "Antique. In fantastic condition and ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber: 6.5×55mm Swedish Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29.1 Inches
Overall Length: 50 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.