M96 at the gun show....

[Redwagyu]

Went to the local gun show this weekend and ran across this Swede M96 at a table. The guy was a collector, I guess; he had a variety of C&R weapons: turks, mosins, enfields, yugos, etc (even a VZ 52 in good shape). He also had this:

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_001-med.jpg

It seems in good shape; the stock looks like it may have been sanded but I can't tell for sure, he didn't know. There is a very faint cartouche crown on the stock wrist but I can't get it to photograph well.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_003-med.jpg

Overall, very little wear on the wood

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_004-med.jpg

Sorry this is so dark, it's Carl Gustav 1908

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_011-med.jpg

Close up of the bolt...I got interested when I noted the curved bolt handle

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_008-med.jpg

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_010-med.jpg

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_007-med.jpg

All the serial numbers I have found match, I haven't found an import mark YET.http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_012-med.jpg

I took it to the range today using PMC 139 gr. FMJ. Very light recoil and I can't say I've ever seen a C&R rifle so accurate, even with a so-so shot like me. I know that Century (I think it was) was making repro snipers some years ago using stock M96 rifles and bending the bolt handles, but how could I tell it it was? Wouldn't it have an import mark or could it be hidden? Don't get me wrong, I'm plenty pleased with it-even talked the guy down a fair bit over 2 days. I really can't believe he didn't know what he had on the rack.:big:

[Schuetzenman]

Redwagyu,
Nice score! Century import marks should be on the barrel between the nose cap and the front sight, usually on the right side sometimes at 6:00 dead on the bottom of the barrel. They used to be very small and were commonly faint. If it's not there then this might be a pre 68 import before marks were required or they just screwed up and forgot to stamp that one. Lucky you if that's the case.

The bolt handle you have isn't bent enough for the sniper model IMO from what I see in your photos. It looks like it has a 1938 calvery model bolt in it. I've seen maybe a half dozen 96's with such a bent bolt over the years. I'm not sure of how they came to be.

If your cheeck side of the receiver has no plug holes for a scope base it's not a former sniper for sure.

On the accuracy of the 6.5X55 IMO given the roughly dozen examples I've seen shot on paper over the years I'd say they win for most accurate Mauser hands down. Many can shoot clover leafs with ammo they like. I've not seen an 8 mm Mauser ever come close to that. ;)

Recoil is light but then you must consider that the military ball loading from the Sweeds was only running about 2,600 fps. It's not all that fast but it is very accurate. They're my favorite for accuracy, just wish the ammo was cheaper.

[Redwagyu]

Schuetzenman,

Thanks for the info. I can't see any trace of import marks in those locations. Interesting about the bolt, I've read that the Swedes would change straight bolts with m38 bolts (on the Swede Forum). I thought it was funny that all the numbers on the bolt match the other numbers, but if the Swedes did it then it makes sense that they could restamp the bolt to match.

With regard to scope mount holes, this is what it has...
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/22817m96_017-med.jpg

I'm going on the assumption that its not real sniper; someone added the scope holes later to "make it" a sniper. That was the main reason I haggled over the price. I know what you mean about the cloverleafs!:D

[smittylite]

Damn, nice pick up. Looks like the holes for the Ajack mount to me. :up:

http://www.sarcoinc.com/spcollect79.html

Once you take it apart, check to see if the numbers on the wood match the receiver.

Now fork over the $$ and make it whole again. :D

[Schuetzenman]

Good find for that AJack scope pic Smittylite. It sure looks like he may have an ex sniper.

Oh and I forgot to mention about the small cartouches behind the trigger guard. Those are Crown stamps that indicate how many times the rifle went through the main arsenal for inspection or repairs.

[Redwagyu]

Damn, too late. I called sarco to ask about the scope. He said "Oh, that's still on the internet?" Oh well, I'll keep an eye out on auction sites and such.