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Author Topic: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?  (Read 2984 times)

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Offline spinafish

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6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« on: February 09, 2009, 08:11:54 AM »
Yesterday at a gun show in Memphis I bought a Swedish Mauser in 6.5 Swede, but I really don't know what I have.
Its barrel is around 18" with original military sights..the muzzle is thread..the bolt is down turned.  On the receiver ring is stamped CARL GUSTAFS STADS  GEVARSFAKTORI.  1917  it has a five number serial number with the letters HK before the number. Some one has taken great pains to carve the stock down to sporter dimension and has craved panels on each side with oak leaves and acrorns..I usually consider such cravings are hokey..but this is very well done.  the front of the stock comes to the barrel step-down...its a beautiful little rifle..will probably become my daughters first deer rifle.  What is model number on this rifle..I can't find it anywhere..thanks in advance.
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Offline mrbigtexan

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2009, 03:17:34 PM »
it's a gustaf '96 mauser. great action to build upon.
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Offline cbxboy

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2009, 03:35:11 AM »
Its a SUPER great mid cartridge is what it is.  I don't have my info handy but the 6.5 Swede is argued to be the first real military cartridge (or soemthign like that)  It has GREAT long term stability and is a nice flat shooter.

I personally would not build upon it but Shoot it as is to see how thrilled you are.  The Wolf Gold 6.5 Swede is readily available and is relaodable.  A set of dies and your off to the races.   The thing I like best is the Butter smooth action...although a 2 lug bolt action is cock on close....and very mild recoil but produces very nice accuracy.

You may have one HECK of a nice deer rifle there! 
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Offline Cement Man

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2009, 04:10:28 PM »
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mauserswedish/index.asp
http://dutchman.rebooty.com/
http://www.northcapepubs.com/swmauser.htm

Here's some additional info links regarding one of the finest milsurp bolt guns and cartridge there is.  Congrats on a good find!
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Offline Sweetwater

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2009, 07:03:09 PM »
"Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori 1917 M1894 Carbine, 6.5mm. Barrel is approx. 17.5" long"

FWIW - I found this on the 'net and thought it might help.

FYI - Just in case you didn't know - 6.5 Swede is short for 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser

My memory says the M96 and M94 are the same action with different barrel configurations. Another poster may have a stronger bit of info on that. They are super accurate and terrific 'middle-ground' rifles.

I've always enjoyed mine, though I no longer have my M96, I do have it in a Ruger M77.

If I find something else I will pass it along.

Regards,
Sweetwater

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Offline Cement Man

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2009, 02:05:35 AM »
I have two reference works on the Swedes and note that there are many variants of the "Karbins".  The threaded muzzle indicates a removable cap used used for shredding training bullets ( I have read of wood, and yes, oats!  There were naval carbines, calvary carbines, and even "school boy" versions for youth training. )  I am thinking the K in the serial number may indicate carbine and the H might indicate a variant.  I have two books "Crown Jewels" and the "Swedish Mauser".  I'll see if I can find any more info that might apply to your piece.
I have a few 38's and 96's, but have never been fortunate enough to run across a 94 carbine that I could acquire. 
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Offline clintmcghee

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2009, 02:06:42 PM »
Sounds like a M38 
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2009, 02:22:29 PM »
The 38 Cavalry (Bent bolt) had longer barrels. in the 24" range or some hokey metric number of cm.
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Offline spinafish

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2009, 03:32:18 PM »
thanks guys..I am very familiar with the cartridge..just not this particular rifle.  I have dies as I load for a friends M-77 Ruger.  I will try to post some pics when my son shows me how!  HA!  the gentleman gave me a box of Norma Alaskan 156 grainers to seal the deal.  Found it has a broken firing pin..have a new pin and spring on order.  Cement Man, I would appreciate any info..need to buy a book also!
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the most heartwreching words any man will ever hear
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2009, 03:34:48 PM »
Quote from: spinafish on February 11, 2009, 03:32:18 PM
thanks guys..I am very familiar with the cartridge..just not this particular rifle.  I have dies as I load for a friends M-77 Ruger.  I will try to post some pics when my son shows me how!  HA!  the gentleman gave me a box of Norma Alaskan 156 grainers to seal the deal.  Found it has a broken firing pin..have a new pin and spring on order.  Cement Man, I would appreciate any info..need to buy a book also!


Hey if you don't wanna fix that old junker, I'll get rid of it for ya. ;)

I hope you and your daughter enjoy this rifle and am looking forward to seeing pics.
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Offline Cement Man

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2009, 04:29:49 PM »
Quote from: spinafish on February 11, 2009, 03:32:18 PM
thanks guys..I am very familiar with the cartridge..just not this particular rifle.  I have dies as I load for a friends M-77 Ruger.  I will try to post some pics when my son shows me how!  HA!  the gentleman gave me a box of Norma Alaskan 156 grainers to seal the deal.  Found it has a broken firing pin..have a new pin and spring on order.  Cement Man, I would appreciate any info..need to buy a book also!

Spinafish,
I'll sure look for you and if I find more info, I'll try and copy it from the book(s) and be glad to send it to you.  It may take me a while as my wife is having some real serious surgery the day after tomorrow, but I will look and see what more I might find.  I like that idea of that being your daughter's first deer rifle.  She'll have a real special one too.  I have two daughters (grown up now), but the oldest was my duck and deer hunting partner.
Some of those carbines were made for the "coastal" troops as well.  The Swedes had a network of pillboxes, gun emplacements in the south along the Baltic Sea and the carbines were preferred for that use as well.  I have a friend who lives in Hollviken and I have visited him there and explored the coast and the remnants of the concrete emplecements.  I never knew that the M94's were also associated with the coastal defenses until today when I started looking up info regading your post.

I used to work along the Wolf River north end of Memphis.
ADDENDUM
FOUND SOME NEW INFO:

H.K. is the inspector's initials - Helge Gustaf Ludvig Kolthoff, born 8/7/1878 (I believe he is retired by now :D).  He was the Besiktningsofficerat Carl Gustafs Stads Gevarsfaktori from 4/1/12 to 2/28/23.  Rank: Lieutenant

m/94 Karbin serial numbers in 1917 ranged from 86545 to 94533 - total produced was 7,988.

One of my books indicated that no m/94 carbines had the bullet shredding muzzle cap due to the carbine nose cap. In the other book, I did find a reference to a barrel sleeve that was added to comply with barrel length restrictions for importing into the US in accordance with Gun Control Act of 68.  That would explain it.  It also states this restriction was short lived.  Apparently the carbines were a hair too short for GCA 68 so a fraction of an inch threaded cap/sleeve was added to the muzzle to lengthen the barrel to comply so they could be imported here.

That's all I got for now......  Glad I was inspired to start reading these books I have had for quite awhile.

I also found that I misread the part about the oats.  This was a reference to the "schoolboy" carbines that shot light loads into a trap with oats so that the bullets could be re-used.

Long as I am at it, here is a link to a page that indicates inspector's markings (found HK on here as well, and nearer the bottom, some unit designations.

http://www.holmback.se/bayonets/Notes/SwedStamps.html
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Offline spinafish

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2009, 11:29:37 AM »
thanks Cement Man, I really hope and pray your wife does well during and after her surgery.  My wife went through some serious medical conditions( blood clots in lungs) a year and a half ago.  Five doctors told us it was a miracle that she was still alive and with no serious after-effects..I'll run with that!  God is good.
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the most heartwreching words any man will ever hear
"depart from me, I never knew you"  Jesus
We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” C.S. Lewis

Offline Cement Man

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2009, 04:02:00 PM »
Thanks for the kind words and prayers Spinafish.  Much appreciated!
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CIVES ARMA FERANT - Let the citizens bear arms.
POLITICIANS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO TWO TERMS - ONE IN OFFICE AND ONE IN PRISON.... Illinois already does this.

Offline 1911crazy

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2009, 03:17:11 AM »
Its a great caliber in an awesome quality built rifle.  I been shooting the sellier & bellot 139gr ammo and have had 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" groups at 100yds if on a good day and i do my part. Out of my CG 1907 M96.

If your reading the swede mauser sites there is an article about the M94 fakes out there.  Just beaware and on the look out for them so you don't over pay for one.

I picked up a swede M94 from a gun shop that was converted.  They actually put the small ring barreled action in a small ring spanish stock. They did an awesome job on it too.  Someday i'll change it back to its orginal condition.

I'm sure glad i listened to Mikey and S/S here and got a few swede mausers they were right these are very accurate quality rifles.
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Offline spinafish

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Re: 6.5 SWEDE. but what exactly is it?
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2009, 03:17:54 PM »
www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php/photo/599521  here's the promised pics..hope this works..my first time for posting pictures!
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the most heartwreching words any man will ever hear
"depart from me, I never knew you"  Jesus
We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” C.S. Lewis
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