[jayd]

Went to the fun show yesterday looking for a "trunk" gun
You know, something cheap and kinda ratty looking because you don't want to beat up one of your wall hangers

Came across this and picked it up for 200.00 otd

Finish was mostly gone, some old spots of surface rust and a dirty cruddy looking bore with strong rifling

Rubber on buttpad very old and worn

The action looked good though and the trigger was sweet

Cleaned the bore and lo and behold it cleaned up bright, with good rifling

Took the stock off and found stenciling on the barrel that said

CA (I)? _ _ A. VT
M38 6_ _ Sweden

When I used naval jelly to remove the rust spot it almost took the stenciling off

I think this was/is a No 5 Mk 1 that was reworked in India as it has some bluing left, had a screw thru the stock and the original serial # is barely visible below the stenciled in Model #s
(#s all match except the magazine)

There are no import stamps on this firearm

Any ideas guys

Did they rebarrel these things with Swedish barrels in India?

 

[JollyGreenSlugg]

Nice score! She's pretty dark, but should come up nicely.

Looks like someone stuffed up when they stamped the import details on it! Nice place to stamp it though, not in an unsightly spot like the Century billboard stamps on the receiver wall.

I have a spare No5 tube which I picked up for thirty bucks. Has the same green paint on it, and is about 90 percent good.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[jrhead75]

Looks like you got a fine deal! JGS's right...somebody at the importer's mismarked it; that's an original No5 barrel.

The green paint was an anti-corrosion measure used on rifles serving in tropical climes during the WWII years and possibly later. As you say, she's done a tour in India.

All in all, a very nice example of an early No5 by the look of things.

 

[jayd]

Thank for the info guys

Bought this expecting it to be replica and would have been happy either way

I guess I ought to clean it but not refinish it
What do you all think?

 

[jrhead75]

I guess I ought to clean it but not refinish it
What do you all think?

That's the way I'd go, you'll probably be surprised at how well the old girl cleans up. Don't lose that green paint if you don't have to.