Questions on my newly bought Swedish M96, dated 1912.

[Seth Prather]

After doing research, I have found most of my questions answered. However, I still have a few unanswered:

1. What does the "S" mean on the stock? I thought it meant that it was later bought by the Finnish, but if so, from what I read it's supposed to have another letter after it letting you know if it was used by the army or Finnish Civil Guard.

2. On the disc, 1,2, and 3 are all marked. I would assume it was heavily used and progressed to a No. 3 over time from usage. Did they change the bore out after 3? After taking out the bolt and peeking through the bore at a light, it looked in excellent condition to me. The threads looked unobstructed and nicely cut out from what I could tell.

3. Is there anyway to tell what wood was used for the stock? I would guess either walnut or from a beech tree..

Now for the pictures:



























I thank I got everything, let me know if I missed something.

Information

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[Kerry49]

Nice swede. Not aware of stock marks for Finnish use, usually is stamped with SA in a rounded box on the receiver. Your condition disk looks weird, who knows? I would say walnut. . They still used mostly walnut in 1912, change over started more in the 1915-1917 range. Check and see if the stock channel number matches the receiver. Since butt plate matches there is a good chance. Didn't see picture of barrel just ahead ov receiver. Is the muzzle threaded? If so rebarreled, but only see one cartouche behind trigger guard. Looks to be from a smaller depot, but not sure which. Good shooting!
Kerry

[Kerry49]

Ok, the Gg cartouche on the wrist of the stock indicate it went thru the Goteburg depot (arsenal, tygstation etc.)

[Seth Prather]

Ok, the Gg cartouche on the wrist of the stock indicate it went thru the Goteburg depot (arsenal, tygstation etc.)

Yeah, I saw that too. Right now I'm just very nervous about trying out the rifle and seeing if the bore is okay. That #3 has me very worried, despite that the former owner said it was in excellent condition. Wouldn't they have changed the disc if they rebarreled it?

[Kerry49]

well if you're concerned you should get it checked out. However, if the bolt matches the receiver and a look at the bore is ok, then if it was me I would have no qualms about shooting it. #3 bores on swedes are still excellent bores for milsurps they were very meticulous about bore condition. If it was bad, it would have been hanged out. But who knows how many round have gone thru it since its last inspection at a Swedish arsenal. Also, who knows if that stock disk is original. It sure looks unusual and not normal for these rifles. You saId the bore looks great. I shoot ppu soft point mainly thru my swedes, I have three. My m96 has a personal name disk on it, not a bore condition. Disk. The lands are a little rounded but it still shoots great. Well, maybe someone else will chime in here that has more experience than me.

[Seth Prather]

well if you're concerned you should get it checked out. However, if the bolt matches the receiver and a look at the bore is ok, then if it was me I would have no qualms about shooting it. #3 bores on swedes are still excellent bores for milsurps they were very meticulous about bore condition. If it was bad, it would have been hanged out. But who knows how many round have gone thru it since its last inspection at a Swedish arsenal. Also, who knows if that stock disk is original. It sure looks unusual and not normal for these rifles. You saId the bore looks great. I shoot ppu soft point mainly thru my swedes, I have three. My m96 has a personal name disk on it, not a bore condition. Disk. The lands are a little rounded but it still shoots great. Well, maybe someone else will chime in here that has more experience than me.

What part of Indiana are you from? My folks come from Clark and Scott counties.

[speckles]

Seth, have you taken the stock off of the weapon and looked into the barrel channel to see if the stock matches the rifle?

[Kerry49]

Seth,
We're north of Indy about an hour, but I grew up in northern Indiana , Noble co. Had an Uncle that was a principal in Scottburg though.
Kerry