Swedish M38 current value

[junkdude]

I've been looking at gettting a milsurp, and have arived at a M38 6.5x55 Husrquavarna, 1942 build, it looks to be in respectable condition, other than that I don't know much about it (i.e. don't know if all parts are matching, etc).

Can anybody offer any advice on the going price range for one of these, say one that is mint and complete matching, and another that is just average and perhaps the odd mismatched piece.

Any specific years to avoid?

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I cannot give you any price idea, as I am not even on the same continent.
Nevertheless, here are a few guiding principles, so that you can (unavoidably subjectively) place the rifle somewhere on the scale from "run away" to "grab it at once".

Any specific years to avoid?
No. I am not aware of any wartime emergency production, change of manufacturing methods or or such reasons to question quality. Production was from 1941 to 1944. About 65000 pieces. Husqvarna also produced about 18000 M96s in the same period, so you cannot exclude a later ex-service conversion from M96 configuration.
Clue "Original" M38s always have a bent-down bolt handle.
Any arsenal conversions would have kept the straight bolt handle of the M96. But caution: a straight bolt handle may have been bent later, in "civilian" life.

For this reason, you should place a higher priority on "all-matching" than for rifles from countries involved in WW2. No involvement in WW2* meant no battle damage, no front-line repairs, no mix'n match operations to make up numbers.
A non-matching Swedish Mauser is therefore to be viewed with caution as a possible "home-brew" example.

Stock disk: famously, the Swedes applied stock discs that noted the condition of the rifle. But that would only tell you the condition of the rifle the last time it underwent an arsenal inspection, not what the condition is now. Disks with a good inspection rating have been plundered from scrapped rifles or made new and stuck onto any rifle that needed an "upgrade". So whatever a seller might tell you, do NOT make your purchase decision on the basis of such a disk.

I hope this helps. But in the end, you have to judge by personal inspection, not by the numbers game. As you appear to be a newbie with milsurps, I suggest you spend some time reading around these forums. Just about everything you need to know about old service rifles is in here somehere.




*Apart from a volunteer contingent that went to help the Finns, but I believe they had M96s and M94s, no M38s.

[mike webb]

Here in Canada you might expect to pay from $300 to $400 for a matching example depending on condition. I don't think you will find one for less than $250 in military trim. Very well built rifles and among the most accurate of service rifles however that may be due to the usually excellent bores found in Swedes in part. My 2 cents.

[Left250]

X 2 what Mike said.

[1911crazy]

The price or value is all about the numbers, the matching serial numbers on the metal parts and the wood. Then having a range plate is a plus too. On the lower price range I tend to see only the bolt match the serial number. An all matching numbered swede mauser will be worth top dollar too. I've seen them hit $450+ but the metal and wood numbers have to match. But the prices can be a roller coaster ride too and may vary more in certain areas. I think finding an all matching numbered swede mauser would be a very rare find. It was my search for the holy grail for many years then one night while looking at another gun the seller had for sale he brought out my holy grail of swede mausers. On the way home i don't think my tires were touching the ground. Then soon after I found my second holy grail of mausers an all matching metal and wood '95 chilean 7mm mauser. It ended my search for these two mausers which i never thought i would see one let alone buy them. The swede m94, m96 sniper and the husqvarna ljungman is another story. Its also how bad you want it and what price you will pay too. Bill
The low end;
Ok the lower price would be for a bolt only matching the serial number would be $200 (bottom with two matching numbers0

Upper end;
All matching numbers metal & wood w/range plate, straight or bent bolt a+ I would say %450 and up to over $500 in some cases. These have been going up lately and i wouldn't be surprised to see a $750 swede mauser(M38/ M96/38, M96) new

I do have a 1907 carl gustaf m96 with an unnumbered new bolt that shoots 1 1/2" groups @ 100yds after i checked the headspace of course. And using new Sellier & Bellt ammo. This one is a looker too and i only paid $225 for it.

for more info go to; http://dutchman.rebooty.com/ I would suggest reading everything so your well armed with the knowledge before you go looking trust me i have seen some BS talk about these awesome mausers so be ready to drive the price down if some puts the BS on you. I have seen it before where a guy told me it was unshot/like new with a shiney bore and i pointed out the crowns on the stock near the trigger guard from it being repaired. Go be on guard and haggle the price too.


BTW Remember to bring a bore lite too. I carry two incase one goes dead.

[Patrick Chadwick]

for more info go to; http://dutchman.rebooty.com/ I

Maybe this question was already answered at some time, but is that "our" dutchman (which I have been assuming), or a different one?

[robinpeck]

Here in Canada you might expect to pay from $300 to $400 for a matching example depending on condition. I don't think you will find one for less than $250 in military trim. Very well built rifles and among the most accurate of service rifles however that may be due to the usually excellent bores found in Swedes in part. My 2 cents.

Times may be changing (for the better?). I'm in the same Canadian province and just bought an all matching M-38 with an "as new" barrel and near new unmarred wood. The stock disc barrel condition section (1,2,3) is unmarked. It cost $250. (Canadian). Thats $180. US.

[Eaglelord17]

Times may be changing (for the better?). I'm in the same Canadian province and just bought an all matching M-38 with an "as new" barrel and near new unmarred wood. The stock disc barrel condition section (1,2,3) is unmarked. It cost $250. (Canadian). Thats $180. US.

You just got lucky that's all. Also by the way congrats on a great find for a excellent price.

[Aragorn243]

$180 US is a steal. Matching Swedes are the norm so I'd avoid one that didn't match. Most are also in pretty decent shape. M-38's are generally in the $300+ range these days (US).

[gunsaholic]

Times may be changing (for the better?). I'm in the same Canadian province and just bought an all matching M-38 with an "as new" barrel and near new unmarred wood. The stock disc barrel condition section (1,2,3) is unmarked. It cost $250. (Canadian). Thats $180. US.

Yes, you got lucky so that doesn't really show true market value, even in Canada. I saw 2 or 3 Husqvarna M38's for sale last year and, depending on condition, they sold for $375.00 to $475.00.
I just bought a nice 1942 Husqvarna M38 and it was a lot more than $200.00.
Now the 96/38 might be cheaper.