Need help on a Swedish M 38

[gunner]

Hello to all that knows Mausers better than i do!

I have the chance to purchase a Mauser M38 from 1943 made at Husquvarna
all numbers are matching the condition is very good and it has the bayonet and the original rifle sling. What do you think is it worth? Please be so kindly and help. Thank you.

Regards

Gunner

[dogtag]

I'm not trying to be funny, but its worth is what you're willing to pay and can afford.
You can't base the value purely on money. You can always earn more money, but you may not get another chance at a fine rifle.
I missed my chance at a beautiful 94 because of that !!

[Calfed]

Howdy Gunner!

I would estimate the value at somewhere between $350.00 and $450.00, if it hasn't been cut. It would be at the upper end of the range if the bluing and metal are in good shape and the barrel condition disc is unmarked or a "1". Here are pictures of two of mine, which I would consider to be near the top of my value estimate:

Surplusrifleforum.com • View topic - New M38-updated with range report (http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=70073)

Surplusrifleforum.com • View topic - New Husqvarna M38 #2 (http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=70135)

[gunner]

Hey Calfed,
nice looking rifles. My one ( i have it ) has a "1" and the rest is near collector grade. It seems that the only thing that happens to this rifles was the movements from Husqvarna in the army`s stock and from there to the german collector. Payed less more than 300€. Great price here. Normally you can pay for a rifle in this condition between 500€ privat and up to 750€ at an dealer.

Regards

Gunner

[Calfed]

Good job, Gunner.

Have you fired it yet? If so, how does it shoot.

Post a few pics if you get the chance. Also, there are a multitude of military surplus rifle web sites over here, such as the links that I posted. Consider joining those also for an "expanded data base" :)

Steve

[gunner]

Thank You, Steve.
No i havend fired it i have to purchase at first ammo for the cases and the whole die equipment. As soon as i get these things i go shooting. And then i`ll send you the pictures. Also thanks for good web site advices i `ll use them. You cant get enough of the "Knowing".

Best Regards,

Ulrich

[gunner]

Hi Steve,

have a few pics of the rifle on Mauser rifles. Thread: i`ve done it!

Regards

Ulrich

[jon_norstog]

Gunner,

I think you stole that rifle. Good going. I've had a bunch of swedes over the years and every one of them was deadly accurate. You'll like it.

jn

[gunner]

Thanks Jn,

yes it was close to this thing that i neeeeever would do . Tonight i go shooting with it. Hope she`s as accurate as everybody told me.

Regards

Gunner

[Calfed]

Hope all goes well today at the range.

Good Luck

Steve

[gunner]

Hi Steve,
thanks but wasn`t as good at the range. Wasn`t a rifle problem, we had a bad ammo. Dont know if you have Igman Ammo in the States but when, it isnt worth a cent. My comrade has an very good shootin`M96 and out of his rifle the best 5-shot shotgroup was around 4"" -5" and out of mine not better. I`ve orderd the die-set and a Norma ammo to test it the next days. I`ll post it when it is worth to be posted.

All the best

Ulrich

[Calfed]

Sorry to hear that Gunner.

We do have Igman ammo over here, but I don't use it much. I've had real good luck with Prvi Partizan and Swedish surplus military ammo. The Swedish surplus ammo is good stuff, but not easily reloadable (non-corrosive, brass cased, but Berdan primed). I use it mainly in my Ljungman.

A few months ago I got a Swedish Mauser at an auction, thinking it was an M96. It turned out to be an M96/38. I was so disappointed that I threw it in the closet and never shot it. Yesterday, I went to the range to test fire some FN-49's and Hakim's for an upcoming match. I decided to take the 96/38 with me and shoot a few rounds. I only had time for a few rounds, so I shot three careful shots with Prvi Partizan 6.5 x 55 139 gr SP's, with this result.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s194/Calfed/9638mauser008-1.jpg

The group measures about .7 inches, center-to-center with my calipers. Might try this one at the next military silhouette match. I've posted some pics of the rifle in the Mauser forum on Jouster.

I think you will do better with the Norma ammo than you did with the Igman. If you ever run across Prvi Partizan, you might give that a try.

Regards, Steve

[jon_norstog]

Gunner,

I always had my best luck with handloads. Second best was the Swedish "pryckschutte" (sp?) ammo, which I have been told is used for target shooting in Scandinavia to this day

It comes in sealed, 200 round plastic envelopes. You can hide it in a duck pond and fish it out when you need it. not that anyone would actually **do** something like that.

jn

[gunner]

Howdy Steve,
This is a very nice group for a " closet-rifle" !:-) I recieved the die-set and do some loads by using Lapua bullets and shoot the Norma ammo. Hope that i can do this at the weekend. I`ll send pics of these ammo tests. Good luck to you for the match!

Regards,

Ulrich

Hi Jon,

thanks for your advices. I heard a little from this ammo and gonna ask my dealer if he has some on stock.

Regards,

Gunner