Global InformationSwedish Mauser information
| Gevär m/96 (Model 1896 Rifle) | |
|---|---|
 6.5 mm Gevär m/1896. Pattern, approved 20 March 1896. | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | German Empire Sweden |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1895–1995 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Easter Rising Winter War Continuation War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Paul Mauser |
| Designed | 1893–1896 |
| Manufacturer | Waffenfabrik Mauser AG Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB |
| Produced | 1895–1948 |
| No. built | 750,000 of which 127,000 were m/94 carbines, 535,000 m/96 long rifles and 88,000 m/38 short rifles (converted m/38's not included)[1] |
| Variants | m/38 short rifle, m/41 sniper rifle, m/94 carbine. |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Rifle: 4 kg (8.8 lb) carbine: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) |
| Length | m/1896: 1,260 mm (50 in) m/1938: 1,120 mm (44 in) m/1894: 950 mm (37 in) |
| Barrel length | m/1896: 739 mm (29.1 in) m/1938: 610 mm (24 in) m/1894: 450 mm (18 in) |
| Cartridge | 6.5×55mm Swedish |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | original round nose bullet rifle: 725 m/s (2,380 ft/s) carbine: 655 m/s (2,150 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 600 m (656 yd) (m/1938) with iron sights 800 m (875 yd) with telescopic sight |
| Feed system | 5-round stripper clip, internal magazine |
| Sights | Square post front, U notch rear iron sights or telescopic sight |
"Swedish Mausers" are a family of bolt-action rifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mm Swedish cartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden.[2] These are the m/94 (Model 1894) carbine, m/96 (Model 1896) long rifle, m/38 (Model 1938) short rifle and m/41 (Model 1941) sniper rifle.[3] Production began in 1898 at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
All Swedish Mausers other than trials rifles were chambered for the 6.5×55mm Swedish cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP).[4][5] Swedish Mausers were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser AG in Oberndorf a/N in Germany and in Sweden by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper, and vanadium, a product then noted for its strength and corrosion resistance.
These rifles, like other pre-M 98 system Mauser rifles, lack the third safety locking lug at the rear of the bolt and feature "cock-on-closing" (similar to the contemporary Lee–Enfield rifle) instead of the "cock-on-opening" style found on the German Gewehr 98 and most subsequent bolt-action rifles. The forward receiver ring diameter where the two forward locking lugs achieved lockup is 33 millimetres (1.30 in). The internal magazine can be loaded with single 6.5×55mm rounds by pushing the cartridges into the receiver top opening or via stripper clips. Each stripper clip can hold five rounds to fill the magazine and is inserted into clip guides machined into the rear receiver bridge. After loading, the empty clip is ejected when the bolt is closed. For easier loading a crescent shaped thumb hole cutout was introduced at the left rear of the receiver top.These rifles are characterized by being very precise due to their cartridge (6.5x55) they are superior in range and precision to the standard infantry rifles of the time.
- ^ Janson, Olof (17 October 2009). "FAQ about Swedish Mausers (m/1896, m/1938, Carbine m/1894 and the Ljungman Ag m/42)". Gothia Arms Historical Society.
- ^ Olsen, Ludwig Elmer (1976) [1950]. Mauser Bolt Rifles (3rd ed.). Montezuma, Iowa: F. Brownell & Son. p. 81.
- ^ Jones, Dana (2003). Crown Jewels: The Mauser in Sweden. Cobourg, ON: Collector Grade Publications. pp. 37, 59, 81, 93. ISBN 978-0-88935-283-4.
- ^ de Haas, Frank (1984). Bolt Action Rifles. Northfield, Illinois: DBI Books, Inc. p. 31. ISBN 0-910676-69-0.
- ^ "6.5x55". Ballisticstudies.com.