M96 Target Rifle Questions

usmc69 · 2023-05-21

At a local auction they have what looks to be a Swedish M96 rifle. However, it has an adjustable rear sight like my CG-63. I assume this was a target rifle that preceded the CG's. Is this a correct assumption? And if it is, then how were these rifles selected? Also what would be an value for one? I know lots of questions, but thinking of buying it. Thanks, AJ

bokila

· #2 · 8 d ago

heres some information from the gotavapen.se website - there are several members here that knows more but your assumption is more or less correct.

"There was a civilian production of the m/96 as well. The rifle organization "Frivilliga skytterörelsen" (FSR) ordered some 20000 m/96 rifles from Husqvarna in the beginning of the 1940s. (1940-1943 circa)
These rifles were made to the same specifications as the armys m/96 rifles and the production was partly financed by the Crown. They were sold to members of the "FSR" at a low cost (200 kronen) on the condition that the owner would sell his rifle back to the Army in case of total mobilization.
About 5000 of the FSR-rifles used a new m/43 leaf sight in 50 m intervals from 100 to 600 metres, and 100 m intervals from 600 to 800 metres. The sight ladder is stamped "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6" and "8" on the left side, and with index lines for 50m and a "7" on the right side.
About 12000 of the FSR-rifles used a sight called the AGJ-sight made by "A. G. Johanssons Metallfabrik AB" in Västerås. The AGJ sight is marked "SM sikte agj-ram" and looks very similar to the later "SM sikte m/55" used on the m/41 snipers rifle."

and this one as well

Swedish Mauser target rifles, Frivilliga Skytterö\relsen FSR, Volunteer Shooters' Organization

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sheepdawg

· #3 · 8 d ago (Edited)

2

I have two FSR m/96s with Soderin rear sights. I think the Soderin was approved for FSR in the early 50s so I assume these were 50s conversions. This 1908 is the most accurate rifle in the safe, well except for the m41/B. It regularly outshot the CG63 I once owned. I'd put a $100-150 premium on a diopter sighted FSR m/96 but finding one is a challenge since many m/96s have been converted over here. One hint is a true FSR m/96 will never have a threaded barrel. Most won't have a military bore or unit disk.

Make sure you take a good look at the bore as some of these have sat around ignored for a long time or had been shot out. The bore on this one shines like a new quarter.

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swede

· #4 · 8 d ago

The HVA m/96 rifles were made with the close tolerance parts cut in half to the standard m/96 rifles . For example 10 m/m + or - .050 m/m would be 10 m/m + or - .025 m/m .

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arilar

· #5 · 8 d ago

bokila said:
heres some information from the gotavapen.se website - there are several members here that knows more but your assumption is more or less correct.

"There was a civilian production of the m/96 as well. The rifle organization "Frivilliga skytterörelsen" (FSR) ordered some 20000 m/96 rifles from Husqvarna in the beginning of the 1940s. (1940-1943 circa)
These rifles were made to the same specifications as the armys m/96 rifles and the production was partly financed by the Crown. They were sold to members of the "FSR" at a low cost (200 kronen) on the condition that the owner would sell his rifle back to the Army in case of total mobilization.
About 5000 of the FSR-rifles used a new m/43 leaf sight in 50 m intervals from 100 to 600 metres, and 100 m intervals from 600 to 800 metres. The sight ladder is stamped "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6" and "8" on the left side, and with index lines for 50m and a "7" on the right side.
About 12000 of the FSR-rifles used a sight called the AGJ-sight made by "A. G. Johanssons Metallfabrik AB" in Västerås. The AGJ sight is marked "SM sikte agj-ram" and looks very similar to the later "SM sikte m/55" used on the m/41 snipers rifle."

and this one as well

Swedish Mauser target rifles, Frivilliga Skytterö\relsen FSR, Volunteer Shooters' Organization

Some "fake info" in the info from Götavapen-site and in the link to Dutchmans site. So beware. Exist a thread on this Forum with a lot of info on Huskvarna produced m/96!

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usmc69

Discussion Starter · #6 · 8 d ago

This is not a Huskvarna, it is a Carl Gustav.

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sheepdawg

· #7 · 8 d ago (Edited)

usmc69 said:
This is not a Huskvarna, it is a Carl Gustav.

Just check the bore and bolt like you would any old rifle, check the rear diopter for function. Make sure it's mounted right, not loose or canted. Check the front sight for an insert, different styles, one has wings, one has a bump on the bottom you can get a post or an aperture.

There's a lot of information in the stickeys up top on diopter sights found on FSR rifles. Swedish Member arilar knows a lot about these as does Fson.

Mauser Obendorf and Husqvarna made purpose built rifles for FSR, Carl Gustafs did not. You could get a rifle from the military but you couldn't do much more than put a diopter on it and change out the front as the military could take it back if needed. I'm sure if you had a CG you could trick up the trigger a little but it all came down to you either got a real good one or just a good one, I don't think they had bad ones.

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arilar

· #8 · 6 d ago

sheepdawg said:
You could get a rifle from the military but you couldn't do much more than put a diopter on it and change out the front as the military could take it back if needed. I'm sure if you had a CG you could trick up the trigger a little but it all came down to you either got a real good one or just a good one, I don't think they had bad ones.

Interesting! "The military could take it back if needed". Where have you found this info? News to me so curious about your source 😉.

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sheepdawg

· #9 · 6 d ago

arilar said:
Interesting! "The military could take it back if needed". Where have you found this info? News to me so curious about your source 😉.

Kind of says it here. The rifles were still owned by the military, they were on loan to civilian shooters

Swedish Mauser target rifles, Frivilliga Skytterö\relsen FSR, Volunteer Shooters' Organization

Also page 212, Crown Jewels.
"An Army Technical Order dated January 22, 1951 spelled out the procedure whereby any diopter approved by the FSR could be fitted to rifles owned by the Crown, provided the work was done by a military armorer or FSR certified gunsmith. The rifle had to be returned to it's original condition (except for the drilled and tapped holes where the sight base had been attached) before it was ultimately returned to the crown."

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arilar

· #10 · 6 d ago

sheepdawg said:
Kind of says it here. The rifles were still owned by the military, they were on loan to civilian shooters

Swedish Mauser target rifles, Frivilliga Skytterö\relsen FSR, Volunteer Shooters' Organization

Also page 212, Crown Jewels.
"An Army Technical Order dated January 22, 1951 spelled out the procedure whereby any diopter approved by the FSR could be fitted to rifles owned by the Crown, provided the work was done by a military armorer or FSR certified gunsmith. The rifle had to be returned to it's original condition (except for the drilled and tapped holes where the sight base had been attached) before it was ultimately returned to the crown."

Wrong info. Most m/96 rifles were privately owned by FSR shooters. 1951 didnt any FSR certified gunsmith exist. IF an Army tech order from January 1951 exist I wanna see it before believe the supposed text in it. When Dana Jones excellent book were produced he didnt have enough reliable swedish FSR "historicans" to lean to. Dont believe everything you read in Crown Jewels or on Dutchmans (also excellent) site.

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sheepdawg

· #11 · 6 d ago

arilar said:
Wrong info. Most m/96 rifles were privately owned by FSR shooters. 1951 didnt any FSR certified gunsmith exist. IF an Army tech order from January 1951 exist I wanna see it before believe the supposed text in it. When Dana Jones excellent book were produced he didnt have enough reliable swedish FSR "historicans" to lean to. Dont believe everything you read in Crown Jewels or on Dutchmans (also excellent) site.

I can only relay what I read, thankfully we have people like you here.

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usmc69

Discussion Starter · #12 · 4 d ago

Got a look at the rifle. It is almost all matching. Missing the rear sight on the barrel. The rear sight is a Redfield. Stopped looking at it then.. Hard pass. Thanks for the information!

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