Questions about the M38

[Calfed]

Two questions about the M/38: (offered to anyone who cares to answer)

1) The early M/38's, the ones made with earlier M/96 receivers are frequently described as being "cut down" from M/96's (Crown Jewels, p81). Did these early M/38's actually use "cut down" barrels from the existing M/96 barrels, or is that just short hand for actually re-barreling with a new, shorter length barrel?

2) I have examples of both the early M/38's and the later Husqvarna made M/38's. One of my early M/38's has the Vasteras micro adjustable rear sight insert. The other does not. It seems that the sight insert is fairly common on the early M/38's and I think I read some where that it was added at the time of conversion.

Neither of my Husqvarna made M/38's have a micro adjustable rear sight. Why did Husqvarna discontinue the use of micro-adjustable rear sights on the M/38's that they built?

Information

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[gunner]

Hi Steve,

for Question No. 1 Yes they used cut down barrels. They shortened it around 14 cm.
For No.2 To equip their reservists the government dont want to give them military rifles ( for the costs i think) so that this rifles were made as a civilian rifle.

And i think that they dont want to pay more money per rifle, so they were satisfied with the simple type of ironsights.

Regards

Ulrich

[Badger]

Check the various entries and photo montages in the Sweden - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

1899 M38B (M96/38) Swedish Mauser Short Rifle (Mfg by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori) ..... (click here)

Regards,
Badger

[duggaboy]

Hey Gunner: is the model 42, automatic Lungeman a sturdy and well made rifle? What are they selling for over there? thanks, duggaboy

[Patrick Chadwick]

The Ljungmann is indeed a good rifle, but the simple open sights mean that in competition shooting it has little chance against the Garand, M1A/M14 unless you are an ace with open sights.

Price range here 500-800 euros. Once saw one for 400. That went quickly!

Patrick

[Calfed]

The Ljungmann is a great rifle. I've used mine at several vintage military "gas gun" silhouette matches. They do pretty well there, when competing against other 50 year old military gas guns.



Of course, the silhouettes are fairly large and any rifle that can shoot 2 MOA has a good chance at knocking them over, even at 500 meters. The typical competition is composed of FN 49's, Garands, and Hakims, all "as issued".

[gunner]

Hi duggaboy,

as Patrick and Calfed stated the Ljungman is an really good rifle and with the right ammo an good shooter too. The price that Patrick wrote is correct. We have two of them and we`re satisfied with them. Do you want to buy an Ljungman?

All the best

Gunner

[metzgeri]

As gunner says, the early m/38s had actual cut down barrels.

As for the second question, the Husqvarna m/38s were built with a rear sight specifically calibrated for the shorter barrel so there was no need for any "stop-gap" insert. Now, why did they not use the finer adjusting Vasteras insert? I believe it was probably because of the robust nature of the leaf sight and maybe budgetary concerns, as gunner says.

...
For No.2 To equip their reservists the government dont want to give them military rifles ( for the costs i think) so that this rifles were made as a civilian rifle...

Husqvarna did indeed make civilian rifles, but the Husqvarna m/38s were military rifles used by both reserves and active military. I do not believe there was any distinction between the reserves or active duty military getting one rifle or the other.

The military started cutting m/96s down to m/38s in 1937. By war time, in 1940, Eskilstuna was too busy with other arms manufacture and the government contracted with Husqvarna to make the m/38s. In reading Crown Jewels, I infer that the military had a mix of m/96s and m/38s as standard issue rifles. The book states that the infantry mainly used the m/96s still and m/38s were issued to service and support as well as navy personnel.

metzgeri

[lamarpye]

I know an old guy who lives near me who has a Ljungmann in good condition for sale, he wants a hundred bucks for it so I think I'll pick it up!

[gunner]

Hi metzgeri,

you have an great knowledge on the Swede´s! I like to read your comments.

Have great Easter Days!

Regards

Gunner