6.5x55 Model 1917?

[Rusty R.]

The 6.5x55 that I have is the best that I can tell a Carl Gustave 1917. The reason that I can’t tell for sure is that when it was drilled and taped for a scope they drilled out the last digit. I know for sure that it is a 191 something? When I had it fixed up at the local trade school they said that it was a 1917. I got the rifle from my grandpa, who is no longer with us, and my mom can’t remember what model it was.  I have not been able to find any information on a Gustave made with that particular model number. So I was wondering if anyone has any information about it? And if not what model could it be? By the way, my 6.5x55 Swedish is the best round that I have ever fired. I would take it over a 30.06 any day for the animals that I hunt. I have taken 1 deer and 1 elk with it. Both were about 100 yards away and both only took 1 shot.  :grin: Thanks for the info. And has anyone shot Jackrabbits or coyotes with 140-grain soft points? I was wondering what kind of damage it might do :gun4: . Thanks. C YA LATER

[DonT]

Rusty,

Based on the book I have if it is a 1917 Carl Gustaf it would have a serial number between 401,990 & 445,475 with inspector mark of HK (this would make it a M96 or M96b (long rifle).  The difference between the two is the M96b has a threaded muzzle.  There is one other model it might be and that would be a M94 Carbine, unfortunately the serial numbers for this model run for a range of 1914 to 1918 and cover59,028 to 112,000.

If the gun has been sporterized the barrel could have been cut.  If it is in the military stock configuration then the M96 has a 29.5" barrel and the M94 Carbine 17.7 inches but many of these were imported when the mininum rifle barrel length had to be 18 inches I beleive (like shotguns today) so they would actually "add" a piece to the end of the barrel to meet the restrictions which are not an issue today.

Drop me an email if you have any more questions.  I am not an expert by any means but I do have a few in my collection and shoot them any chance I get..

Take care...DonT

[volshooter]

I found a 1900 dated 6.5x55 Gustaf Swed back about 10 years ago. All the #'s match and it is very execellent condition. It has a long threaded barrel and the bore looks new. I only shot it 3 times. First shot was to put a bullet hole on cardboad, the next two went through the same dime size hole at 100 feet. I cleaned it up then put it up. I love that rifle. I've owned at least 4 dozen assorted mausers and the little Swed is the only one I would never consider selling. Some of my hunting buds have Sweds cut down and stocks added, but mine will stay as is. I haven't checked but the barrel but stood up right it comes to my chin. All markings are 100% clear with no stock damage. I'm afraid to even take it hunting. Sweetest long gun I've ever owned.
Long live the Swed!
Rick

[huntsman]

I have no help with the ID, but I did want to comment on the question about jackrabbits and coyotes. I haven't shot any of either with the Swede, but based on what the 140 SP bullets do to big hogs I would say neither species would take another step. Effective enough, but WAY overkill! And don't plan on eating the jackrabbit forend or having a one-hole coyote hide, either.

I will be loading some 85gr HP, 100gr SP, 120 SP for my Swede this weekend. I will post on how they do at the range. I would think the 85gr HP would be instant death on jackrabbits or coyotes even at a modest 3000 fps (the velocity I plan to load for), and the theoretical trajectory I'm getting with a ballistics calculator is very sweet, something like less than 1" rise and fall out to 200 yards. We'll see how accurate they are. The 100 gr at 2800 fps I think will do the trick on both larger varmints and deer up to about 200+ lbs inside 200 yards (a dual-purpose load). With the 120gr I'm expecting to take deer up to 300+ lbs. I wouldn't recommend anything less than your 140gr on elk at any kind of range past 75-100 yards.

If you happen to park a 'yote or jack with your 140 gr SP, post the results. I'd love to see what it would do.

[DonT]

Volshooter,

With the threaded end on the barrel (about 1/2" or so) and because it comes to about your chin (unless you are vertically challenged) then I would have to assume it is a M96b (the be indicated the muzzle has external threads for screwing on a wood bullet shredding device used for practice).

They are nice rifles but don't turn it into a "safe queen", show it the respect if deserves and take it out occassionally and shoot it;-)  These are great guns in great calibers...   I am glad to see you fought the urge to sporterize it as you are helping preserve a little history.... :grin:

Here is a link to a great website, chock full of great information on the Swedish mausers.
http://pub113.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm33

Enjoy.....DonT

[Larry Gibson]

Rusty R.

"The 6.5x55 that I have is the best that I can tell a Carl Gustave 1917..."

As others have mentioned your rifle is actually a M96 Mauser that was made by Carl Gustave in or around 1917.  You say it has been drilled and tapped and "fixed up at the local trade school" (sporterized?) so what you have is a very decent hunting rifle as you already have surmised.

"And has anyone shot Jackrabbits or coyotes with 140-grain soft points?  I was wondering what kind of damage it might do :gun4: . Thanks. C YA LATER[/quote]"

I have shot quite a few jackrabbits and several coyotes over the years with several 6.5 Swedes but mostly with a M38 (just a shorter M96) that I sporterized.  The 140s, I have used Sierra and Hornady 140 SPs at 2700 fps, definatley kill both of them but unless shot at close range the damage is not extraordinary.  Remember the 140s are meant to hold together in bigger animals.  However jack rabbits are not wrapped all that tight so they can get messy.  

If you get into reloading it is best to use varmint bullets for varmints. The 85 gr HP Sierras and 100 Hornady SPs are ok up to around 2900-3000 fps, after that the fast twist of the barrel does them in accuracy wise.  The Sierra 100 gr HP (my choice) works quite well over Varget powder at 3235 fps.  It is devestating on jacks and yotes.  The Sierra 120 SP and the Nosler 120 BT are very good also when run at 2900 fps with Varget or H4831SC.  The 140s are, as you know, very good for deer and elk.  You have a very fine rifle, enjoy.

Larry Gibson

[volshooter]

Thanks for the link DonT. My Swed is about 49.5 inches long. (not quite to my chin as I remembered) Dug the ole girl out after seeing this post. The serial number is #79XXX and it is dated 1900. My favorite hunting rig a a 25-06 built on an old Mauser action. I got it from a preacher from Montana about 15 years ago. I would love to had had it when it was first customized, someone took great care and $ to make it a beautiful rifle. One of my hunting buds hit a big doe about 180 yards with his cut/sporterized Swed back in December. The Norma factory round dropped her in her tracks. I was impressed with the bullet performance since it clipped the sholder blade and continued in a straight line through the engine room and exited. The first round he tried misfired! Fresh Norma factory ammo. He kept the misfired round and it was hit more than enough to fire. Knock on wood...25+ years of shooting my own reloads, never a miss or hang fire.
Rick

[Fla Brian]

The Swedes were produced in, basically, four models. Originally there was the long rifle, or model 96, and the model 94 carbine. At some point it was decided to go with one length, a short rifle, and the model 38 was the result. Some of the model 96s were arsenal converted to the model 38 barrel length. These are the model 96/38s.

The 1917 model in question would have started out as a 96 type. However, it might very well have been converted to a 96/38 before it was sporterized.

Of course, the barrel might have been shortened during the sporterizing process itself. In fact, it's not unlikely.

My battery of Swedes includes a home built scout rifle on a 94 carbine, a custom sporter on a model 38 and a mil-surp 96/38, with a 1900 Oberndorf receiver, in mint condition. I wish I had acquired more of them when they were going dirt cheap not that many years ago.