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Been wanting another Milsurp rifle and I recently picked up a 1941 Swedish M38, serial number 602249. I did a detailed cleaning and all the parts seem matching, even the stock and handguard. Bore has some slight pitting but the rifling is pretty strong. I removed a fair bit of copper from the bore and it’s pretty strong now. Proof will be when I shoot it. No rust outside, just normal wear. No cracks or major dings in the stock.
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The last inspection disk lists a 6.51mm bore and condition 3 (I believe)...
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It’s amazing this rifle went through many hard winters and still is kicking strong.
I'd be interested in any comments our Swedish arms experts have on the sn and proof marks in the barrel picture. The barrel is threaded for a blank firing device. It has the full sn on the barrel and a carl Gustav proof, a Husqvarna proof and an acceptance proof for the carl gustav factory. It may be a replacement barrel done at the CG factory. I only know enough about These to get in trouble, but not to give definite answers. Hope someone can help.
It’s an early 1941 build, so maybe the barrel was supplied by the Gustav factory as the Husqvarna factory was ramping up?
What cartouches are stamped on the stock behind the triggerguard? A picture of those would help. I think it's generally thought that the barrels with threaded muzzles were put into service after ww2.
The stamp behind the trigger guard is a bit hard to make out. It could be a crown over C... or it could be just a spot.
If the stamp is faint, the stock has probably been refinished. From what I can see from the pictures it looks to have been refinished due to rounded finger grooves and the metal on the rear tang sitting above the wood. If it is a crown/C behind the trigger guard it has been thru the swedish Arsenal at CG. This is nothing unusual as the Swedes took good care of these rifles. In any event you have a great matching rifle that should be a good shooter. It's got some history to it. Enjoy!
Thanks. Looking forward to shooting her. It’s my first Swede. I love my K31 and Lee Enfield No4 MkI*. Hoping for the same successful results at the range. I’m waiting on 200rds of Prvi to be delivered. Unfortunately the LGS or Cabelas doesn’t stock it.
The rifle did well. Shoots to point of aim, but the groups with Prvi FMJ wasn’t the best. I’ll try some handloads over the holidays.
I'm not surprised about the fmj. Mine and many others experience has been that,for some reason, the prvi soft point shoots better in these rifles. Since we haven't had anyone else join this discussion here, might I suggest showing your rifle on the Swedish military arms forum on Gunboards. If you want definitive info on your rifle, they are very helpful.
Great find.
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Got my reloading going. Trying 142gr SMK with 42gr H4350 in PPU brass and a Win LR primer.
I recently sold my house in Delaware and moved to an apartment (until I find a house in my new city in Missouri) for work, but I managed to get a small setup together that works for 100rds or less for a range session.
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Of course the cat has to inspect the process lol
I now have a big problem... I want another one lol :)
We had them appear by the hundreds years back and many took them to task successfully. They were left as was, shortened and we were turning them into a Mannlicher look as well, all shot flawlessly. The only thing we found out for sure was don't overload, stay inside the loading spec as you can do damage by going to the top end of some loads. I'd keep it at pressures and speeds for military loads... It should shoot fine.
Looks like considerable wear to the lands and grooves, if it is shooting okay then I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoy it!