[bones92]

Rather than derailing a very good thread on Finn-marked M96's, I thought I would post this separately.

I recently acquired this 1923-dated M96 because of the SA-mark and the low-production year.

I have noticed some interesting features which leads me to believe that this may have been reworked in the arsenal by the Finns before eventually ending up in the US. More specifically, it appears that the Finns may have combined parts from two rifles to make a complete, force-matched rifle. Or perhaps this was done by the Swedes upon return of the rifle to Sweden (if such an event ever occurred).

Note the style of the font of the renumbered digits, particularly the buttplate. Looks kind of Finn-like to me. Also note the buttplate letter mark. What's odd is the rear band being of Husqvarna manufacture.

The stock seems to be walnut. Note the "filler" type repari on the upper left of the comb! Unusual...

 

[bones92]

More photos...

I didn't have time to take the action out of the stock to verify the stock serial. But judging from appearances, I'm expecting that it will match the handguard serial.

 

[bones92]

And a few showing the buttplate marking...

 

[buffdog]

With the several mis-matched parts, (rear sight, ejector box, barrel bands, and floor plate,) it seems that someone was not too careful in putting this rifle back together, or, assembled it and replaced parts with no forethought of Collectors in the future. The repair to the comb of the stock I do not think is an Arsenal repair in Sweden, as the left side is not taken down flush with the stock and it does look a bit crude. I do not think a Swedish Arsenal or Repair Station would have left the rather rough finish that way. Also, it almost looks like a plastic or fibreglass / resin was used (note the air bubbles,) which would indicate a later date than the Continuation War.

The bolt and bolt parts have been force matched, with the first number overstamped with a different number in a larger font. You might disassemble the bolt and see what the number on the firing pin is. Chances are it will be different with the last two nujmbers matching the rest of the bolt numbers.

When importing these rifles into the States, some of the Importers were less than carefull about keeping all the parts of one particular rifle together when they disassembled them to either stamp them or do small repairs on them. The CAI markings on the barrel are a good clue to this, as Century Arms was quite well known for their mis-matching of parts.

If I had to be pressed for an opinion, I think I would have to say that the "Arsenal" that repaired and last assembled this rifle was located in the north-eastern United States of America.
.

 

[bones92]

My impression is that all these early Century import marks were from a time when they did not disassemble any rifle, but rather just stamped the muzzle and that was it. I have never seen any indication that my CAI-marked Finns were ever disassembled. In fact, I know most of them were not.

But consider this: the Finns would only force match the bolt on most of their rifles, as any other part is not as critical to the function of the weapon. So the restamped bolt parts on this M96 would seem to possibly support the possibility that the rifle was rebuilt in Finland. However, would the Finns have renumbered all the bolt parts? I don't know...

As to the repair on the comb, I didn't really look closely at it until just now. It would seem that the repair was meant to cover up about 5 hash cuts in the wood. The cuts are not bad enough to warrant repair, but perhaps someone thought that the marks should be obscured and filled in. I don't usually let myself make a conclusion on such things, but I have to say that these look like "kill marks" that someone may have tried to cover up with a fill job done in the field. Perhaps an NCO or officer saw the marks and warned against such practices...

 

[swede]

I would call it a late period Swedish arsenal rework or rebuild . If rebarreled , it would have a Crown/letter on the shank of the barrel . Since the stock probably does not match , the cartouche may not match the barrel . A replacement stock is a typical rework . Should have a beech stock . Mismatched part numbers & renumbered parts are typical of late period repairs as well as the HVA band . Five kill marks is something I have not seen on Swedish Mausers . No way to prove it one way or another . Looks to sloppy for a arsenal repair . I would not carve it where my cheek rested . I have not heard of Century Arms disassembling rifles other than removing the cleaning rod to import mark the barrel . They may have put a few together from spare parts to make a complete rifle . No way of known if this is true or a correct import .

 

[bones92]

What do you make of the font of the serial on the buttplate? Also, the mark on the bottom flat surface of the buttplate (looks like " I ") reminds me a bit of the letter " I " that is found on the heel of Finn Mosin buttplates.

Either way, it's a neat rifle with an interesting history known only unto itself.

 

[swede]

I agree , it is a neat rifle . The tang of the buttplate has been scrubbed , both number & crown removed . The new numbers look like the ones used on the WW2 HVA rifles . I have not seen the "I" before now on a Swedish rifle butt plate . I suspect the buttplate is a Post war replacement because of the HVA type numbers . So , if the "I" is related to Finnish use , it probably does not apply to this rifle . All conjecture on my part .

 

[Pahtu]

Can't help you with any relevant info about the rifle, but I do have three or four Finn forced all matching Dragoons, so I know they did do this with some rifles. Don't know enough about SA Swedish Mauser M96 rifles....

pahtu.

 

[bones92]

Pahtu, could you please conduct exhaustive research entailing multiple reference books, many hundreds of hours, and a trip to Sweden to fill in the gaps, then report back here what you find out?

 

[Pahtu]

Pahtu, could you please conduct exhaustive research entailing multiple reference books, many hundreds of hours, and a trip to Sweden to fill in the gaps, then report back here what you find out?

Pahtu.

 

[Hlavinka]

Pahtu, could you please conduct exhaustive research entailing multiple reference books, many hundreds of hours, and a trip to Sweden to fill in the gaps, then report back here what you find out?

I'll volunteer to chaperone the trip. Just to be sure he stays on task.

 

[Pajaro]

Likewise, I'll fend off those Svenska women, intent on task diversion. At least for a little while!