M96 Swedish Mauser Questions?

[Wayner1954]

I have a few questions about my Swedish Mauser. Should I try to reduce the amount of indentation on the area behind rear sight?

Does having a Lyman 57 rear sight mounted on my rifle diminish its value?

I love the beech wood stock with its grain and the rifle shoots 1 to 1and 1/2 in groups at 100yd. It might do better than that but my old eyes can't see that good. The peep sight looks like it's been on the rifle a long time. How much do you think a rifle like this is worth?

Hopefully the pictures will help with an evaluation. The riflings are good and bore is in very good shape still shines not pitted. All matching numbers that I can see.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Does having a Lyman 57 rear sight mounted on my rifle diminish its value?

I'm afraid so. Fitting the sight meant drilling holes in the receiver, with possibly some stock wood removed to allow the slide to move up and down.
Irreversible alterations = devaluation for collectors.

Should I try to reduce the amount of indentation on the area behind rear sight?

If you are experienced in the method of steaming out dents, you could try it. But the finish will be spoilt and you will have to match the steamed area into the unsteamed portion afterwards. If you were experienced in this you would not have needed to ask the question. I therefore deduce that you do not have such experience and must therefore advise against it. However, it's your rifle - but please read the contributions in the Restorers forum before doing anything.

Leave it alone and enjoy it as a good shooter!

[jon_norstog]

Wayner,

I took a look at the pictures - this rifle was not in "A" condition, at least for a Swede. What you have is a really nice shooter, one that I would buy in a heartbeat if I was looking for a shooter Swede. It is what it is. I would say, take it to the range and enjoy it. Furthermore, since it's already been boogered, no harm in having the bolt turned and mounting a scope. Do that and I guarantee you will be shocked - shocked, I say! - by how well the damn thing shoots.

good luck!

jn

[owengun]

Since the fitting of the Lyman rear sight was already done it has lost all collector value, but as mentioned above it makes it a better shooter for most who are after one as a range rifle or hunting rifle and cleaning up the dents in the stock will not make it any less valuable to those wanting it for such use.

[browningautorifle]

I agree, this one is a good example of a shooter and might as well be left as is. It probably shoots way better than we can...