John,

I think the last one, #4, is not a 640 but instead the 146 & 246 which were FN 98 actions with Military style bent bolt handles. These were chambered in 9,3x57 and 9,3x62. I'm not aware of any prewar 98'a being used on any other model or chambering.

#1 can be broken down into two categories, the Earliest being built on what I call FN transition actions having the solid left sidewall but still retaining the stripper clip hump. The later models having eliminated the charger hump. As I recall these rifles came onto the market in 1948.

I think something that confuses a lot of folk is the fact that the 640 models used both the so-called "strengthened 96" action and the 98's.

good thread. i sure do miss the skydevabben site.

 

First z14, sorry a bit late in getting back here! Thanks for the clarification. The reference to the #4 Mod 98 was there in my memory banks. I never forget anything, but do sometimes lose the 'log in'; occasionally permanently! I think we're parallel concerning the others. My lament is the apparent nonsensical approach of the firm designating or 'suffering' others to do such a generic designation!
Thanks much for your clarification!!!
Best!
John

 

146..special steel Barrels ...if I remember correctly without looking it up. In my data?<>< dan

 

Dan,

the 46AN and 246 both had the "special steel" Antioxid barrels.

not being a true "Collector" the one Husqvarna model I would still go out of my way to acquire would be the M246. I have the 46AN, and several 640 variants in 9,3x62, and even a 1640 in 9,3x62. Despite the AN being produced in fewer numbers than the 246, I'd really like one because!



John, Yes the 640 line seems to be very confusing indeed.

The 1600/1640, etc., I think is very confusing mostly because the models intended for domestic consumption were designated differently than those made for export to places like the US where they were called something else. This is further compounded by the fact that none are stamped with a model number. I think people just refer to them by the action type and use either 1600 or 1640 just for simplicity. I know I do because functionally the are identical but I know little things like barrel length, checkering, Monte Carlo on the stock will lead to it being referred to by a different model number.

 

The 246 were made in 227 units while the 46AN were made in 228 units...

The 46 and 146 was only made in 9.3X57, there was no 640 made in that caliber.

The 46B were made with both "military" and "commercial" (unmarked front ring, not solid left wall) M38 actions. The very last few ones have beavertails stocks
Some 46AN have the HVA stamp with date on the front ring, others don't. The first ones are marked "9.3mm" while they rapidly switched to "9.3X62mm" to avoid confusion with the 46 and 46A.

The very first 640 (646 AFAIK) based rifles were made like the 46B (Schnabel stocks) but it didn't last, they rapidly switched to the beavertail stocks

Then they introduced the 640 based on the M/98 in transition to the "solid walled, elongated floorplate release button" in the beavertail stocks
These were the transitional actions from teh "C" and "H" inner ring pattern.

The first ones for the North American market (1950-1951 "Hi Power") had the beech stocks and then, they went with walnut and called them 1000/1100, all with the beavertail stock
The 1000 is the MC (not availale as a stock item in Sweden) and the 1100 had a straight comb.

Then, when they introduced the 1600/1640, they offered a schnabel stock - usually beech - again in Europe for the reminding stock of FN 98 actions, and kept the name 640

All Euro models have 3/4" sling swivel loops while North American models have 1" sling swivel loops.

All the M94/38 and M98 models have a generic barrel lenght of 600mm (23.622").

Hope that helps you guys.

 

The 46A were made with both "military" and "commercial" M38 actions. The very last few ones have beavertails stocks

I've never seen one of these. Then again, there are lots of things I haven't seen.

Some 46AN have the HVA stamp with date on the front ring, others don't



Hope that helps you guys.

My AN (N1051) lacks the Husqvarna stamp. Then, incidentally, one of my remaining 46A's also lacks the stamp and has the earlier 46 barrel style instead of the more common 46A barrel with the very short shoulder. I think the more we think we know, the more oddities we discover.

Thanks for sharing!

 

an anti oxidant husky ?
I know the Swedes are into healthy living, but rifle barrels
: < )
gil

 

Antioxid means the barrel is made from Nickel Steel.

 

Just another BIG THANKS, Gentlemen! So much info, so little time... to absorb. Hope there won't be any 'pop quiz' concerning all this anytime soon!
These Husqvarnas certainly great rifles and the variations, interesting! Just wishing that some more 'simple-functional' overall system!
Good thing the 'product' well makes up for leaving me feeling a bit stupid about such as demonstrated here!
Again, Big Thanks to all 'clarifiers!'
Best!
John

 

Copy #6 post six..it’s the info that confirmed his great research and clear typing style...I wish I had!
screen shot this, place in you photos, copy this..
“this is the seed, time period that planted may changes over all those three markets, and years...
USA, EUROPE, CANADA!....differences complicated naming that rifle, style, changes, time periods..<>< dan

I bow down to Baribal knowledge surpasses me..in this particular area.
copy this informative information, great reorganization clarity to our confusions?<>< dan

 

Tnx for the kind words, Dan...

More meat for you.

The production of the pre-1600 series centerfire repeating rifles goes more or less like this;

M46 (M94 action, 9.3X57) - SN from 501 to 14006 = Total production of +/- 13 505 rifles

M46A (M38 action, 9.3X57) - SN 40001 to 47873 = Total production of +/- 7 812 rifles

M46B (M38 action, 6.5X55) - SN 70001 to 73947 = Total production of +/- 3 946 rifles

M46AN (M38 action, 9.3X62) - SN N1001 to N1228 = Total production of +/- 228 rifles

M146 (M98 action, 9.3X57) - SN 20001 to 31440 = Total production of +/- 11 439 rifles

M246 (M98 action, 9.3X62) - SN N501 tp N727 = Total production of 227 rifles

M640

M646 (M38 action, 6.5X55) - SN 60001 to 60409 = Total production of 408 rifles
M646 (M98 action, 6.5X55) - SN 60501 to 60793 = Total production of 292 rifles

M648 (M38 action, 8X57IS) - SN 48001 to 57999 = Total production of 9 998 rifles
M648 (M98 action, 8X57IS) - SN 80001 to 89999 = Total production of 9 998 rifles

M649 (M38 action, 9.3X62) - SN 90001 to 92859 = Total production of 5 858 rifles
M649 (M98 action, 9.3X62) - SN 92901 to 97736 = Total production of 4 835 rifles

Resuming ithe 640 serie using "commercial" M98 (early ones have thumb cut-out, and / or stripper clip feed lips removed with "C" ring en route for what will be known as the "H" inner ring type of action with the extended floorplate release lever, the "real" (final version prior their Supreme) commercial rifles starts +/- 1948 )

M640 (M98 "Commercial" action) - SN 100001 to +/- 158 000 = Total production 58 000 to 60 000 rifles

The transition between the late M640 to the M1640 is somewhat complicated to trace, as per HVA continued to produce limited 640 rifles until at least SN 163500


Model 1640

The model 1640, made 1953 to 1967 was divided as following;

1640 series, includes;


SE/EU Models have 3/4" sling swivel loops while North - American models have 1" sling swivel loops


1640 Std (SE) - Straight Comb Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, Chekering ONLY on the pistol grip

1640 K (SE) - Straight Comb Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, NO Chekering, some having purpleish bluing while others show blued sandblasted steel

1640 Laponia (EU) - MC Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, NO Chekering, some having purpleish bluing while others show blued sandblasted steel, stamped Laponia

1640 MC (SE) - Early - Dark walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end - Late; French walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end - Both types have jeweled bolts

1640 Special (SE) - Early - Dark walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end, checkered butt - Late; French walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end, checkered butt - Both types have jeweled bolts and oiled stock with or without adjustable trigger

1640 Lyx (SE) - Early - Dark walnut, MC Stock, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end, checkered butt - Late; French walnut, MC Stock, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end, checkered butt - Both types have jeweled bolts and engraved floorplate and oiled stock, with adjustable trigger

1640 7X64 (EU) - MC Schnabel Stock, Walnut, Chekering on pistol grip and forend.

1740 (EU) - Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, Chekering pistol grip and forend, cheekrest

2100 (EU) - Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, NO Chekering, some having purpleish bluing while others show blued sandblasted steel, cheekrest

Skogis (SE) - Stock designed by Folke Dahlberg. Monte Carlo Stock

3000 (N-A) - Early - Dark walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end, checkered butt - Late; French walnut, high lustre MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end, checkered butt - Both types have jeweled bolts

3000 P (N-A) - Early - Selected Dark walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end, with or without checkered butt - Late; Selected French walnut, high lustre MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end, with or without checkered butt - Both types have jeweled bolts, Stamped "PRESENTATION" on the barrel, engraved receiver and buttplate, adjustable trigger

3100 (N-A) - Early - Dark walnut, Straight Comb stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end - Late; French walnut, high lustre Straight Comb Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end - Both types have jeweled bolts

6000 Imperial (N-A) - Early - Selected Dark walnut, MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, round plastic nose end - Late; Selected French walnut, high lustre MC Stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, squarish rosewood nose end, checkered butt - Both types have jeweled bolts, Stamped "IMPERIAL" on the barrel, three leaf rear sight, adjustable trigger

All the above were factory fitted with 600mm barrels.

It also includes;

H-5000 (N-A) - MC Schnabel Stock, Walnut, Chekering on pistol grip and forend. Usually stamped "Tradewinds"

Husky (Can) - MC Schnabel Stock, Walnut, Chekering on pistol grip and forend. Usually stamped "HUSKY"

All the above have factory fitted barrels of 560mm

Model 1600 includes;

SE/EU Models have 3/4" sling swivel loops while North - American models have 1" sling swivel loops

1600 Std (SE) - Straight Comb Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, Chekering ONLY on the pistol grip

1600 Std (EU) - Straight Comb Schnabel Stock, Beech or Walnut, Chekering ONLY on the pistol grip and cheekrest. MC available

1600 SPECIAL (SE) - Selected walnut schnabel stock, checkered pistol grip and butt, cheekest, jeweled bolt, with or without adjustable trigger

1600 Lyx (SE) - Selected walnut schnabel stock, checkered pistol grip and butt, cheekest, jeweled bolt, with adjustable trigger, barrel stamped "LYX"

1600 H (SE) - Selected walnut straight comb fullstock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

1600 H (EU) - Selected walnut Monte Carlo fullstock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

4000 (N-A) - Selected walnut Monte Carlo schnabel stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

4100 (N-A) - Selected walnut straight comb schnabel with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

456 (N-A) - Selected walnut straight comb fullstock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

458 (N-A) - Selected walnut Monte Carlo fullstock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend

7000 IMPERIAL (N-A) - Selected walnut Monte Carlo schnabel stock with cheekrest, checkered pistol grip and forend, adjustable trigger, high lustre finish

N900 (USA) - Walnut stock, straight comb, thin stock, checkered pistol grip and forend, rounded nose, no cheekrest, stamped "NORRAHAMMARS BRUK, AB, NORRAHAMMAR"


The above were factory-fitted with 520mm barrels.

The Model 1651 was a 1640 only made in .358 Norma Magnum and was factory fitted with a 650mm barrel.
They exist in 1651 Std, 1651 Special and 1651 Lyx, following the same scheme as the 1640

M1600 / 1640 production starts +/- @ 159000 and ends around 330999 but;

There is at least one very early 1640 with SN of 143XXX
The last 6000 rifles using 1600/1640 actions were sold to S&W and Tradewinds (H-5000)

So, the total 1600/1640 production is around 170 000 rifles.

Most of these numbers are from the HVA Museum records and from what we were able to gather over 30 years of collecting.
It must be taken for what it is, an approximation of the total production, as per even the HVA Museum records contains errors / omissions.

 

Earlie rounded off vs shelf along barrel.

early 3,000....stocks were “rounded off along barrel channel”....
“no flat shelf” next to barrel like most commercial rifles!

mine an rounded black plastic for-end...in 308 ...1950’s..griffin Howell side mounts..

this slight stock change has gone unnoticed by many..
owning many 3,100-3,000’s have seen more with shelf’s alongside barrel..
as to when serial numbers...the changing to shelves strengthening barrel channel ?<>< dan
excellent data well organized written...my friend