Question about 1900 Mauser Oberndorf m/96 - s/n 2380 - Pics added

[NW Swede]

I just picked up a well worn m/96. It's a 1900 Mauser Oberndorf with a 4 digit serial number - 2380. If I remember correctly, this is supposedly a replacement receiver for an 1898 dated Carl Gustaf m/96.

Here's what has me confused. Almost all of the parts are Mauser parts, based on the serial number fonts, Mauser crowns and other Mauser markings. The only exceptions are the barrel (matching s/n in Swedish font, crown over S), and the cleaning rod. The stock is German, but also has a crown over S on the wrist.

If this is a replacement receiver, shouldn't all the other parts be Swedish? Was an entire 1898 Gustaf m/96 replaced with a Mauser m/96 that was stamped to match the replaced rifle?

[FIVESHOT]

From what i get , mauser designed the

swede rifles and their 6.5x55 cartridge

the first rifles were made in orbandorf

germany. Those crowns are swedish.


Fiveshot

[swede]

NW Swede : We have learned much since the theory of 1900 Mauser replacement receivers was floating around . Actually , there appears to be 5000 extra Mauser 1900 M-96's made & probably numbered 1 - 5000 . Yours is one of them . The rest of the 1899/1900 Mauser contract falls approximately in the 20xxx to 59xxx serial range . It has a replacement barrel from the Stockholm Army workshop . The cleaning rod should be unnumbered with a Mauser crown .

Actual replacement receivers can have all original parts , except the receiver , or any combination of original & replacement parts .

FIVESHOT : The Swedes & Norwegians combined to developed the 6.5x55 cartridge . Mauser made the first M-94 Swedish Mauser carbines in 1895 , but Carl Gustaf made the first M-96 Swedish Mauser rifles in 1898 .

[NW Swede]

Thanks Swede! That explains it. The cleaning rod has a CG crown and a non-matching number. This rifle has seen better days, but it's mechanically sound and everything except the barrel appear to be original, German parts. I'm finding lots of different-looking stamps and letters or numbers in places that Swedish parts don't have markings. Pretty cool!

[beeker77]

Hmmm... Interesting.
I guess I have one of those also. Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf 1900, s/n 2521. Inspector O.G. No tilted crowns, every number matches except it's a replacement beech stock and handguard, both unnumbered.

[NW Swede]

Here are some of the interesting markings on this rifle. The firing pin, safety, bolt shroud, and cocking piece all have what looks like a gothic font "M". Also, I found a small "s" stamped in front of the rear sling swivel and a matching one on the bottom of the receiver. I like the stylized font stamps that are found on many of the parts too. I don't know what it all means, but it's interesting to me because I haven't seen these kinds of stamps on Swedish-made m/96 rifles.

[swede]

Good job on the photos . You are lucky that you have all original parts on a M-96 bolt . Many have been replaced over the last 110 years . You have a RARE example of a Mauser 1900 M-96 rifle . I am surprised the barrel is the only replacement part . Nice addition to your collection .

[NW Swede]

Thanks Swede! I got this one from an older gentleman who bought several m/96's from an importer back in the 90's. He's selling off what he has left and I got to choose from about 8 different rifles. The low serial number and German markings are what made me pick this one, although there were several in much "nicer" condition. When I bought it there was a fine coating of light rust on most of the exposed metal. Luckily it came off easily with some oiled 0000 steel wool.

[Dutchman]

Despite being "well worn" this rifle has a lot going for it. It's rifles like this one that shot down our previous theory about replacement receivers on the low number 1900 Oberndorfs.

This rifle has not been rebuilt other than having a barrel replaced. The stock is original and the rest certainly looks untouched by Bubba. It's worth more as it is than if somebody made it more pretty with sandpaper and cold blue.

NWSwede - you're not new to Swedes. This was a good purchase.

Beeker77 - I own 2545. Its a FrankenSwede http://dutchman.rebooty.com/ObieWanFrankenSwede.html .

Dutchman

[NW Swede]

Dutchman,

Thanks for your confirmation about this rifle. I was having second thoughts when I got it home before giving it a good look-over. I have to give credit to the House of Karlina site for the education on German Swedish Mausers.

[jkingrph]

I own sr #70, all matching & cut down to M 38 length. Original stock.

[swede]

Does your stock have the " C.1900 " stamped on it ? Look carefully , it may have been filed or sanded off . Could be a tell tail sign it was there .

[NW Swede]

Swede,

Late reply. I don't see any sign of a "C.1900" marking on the stock.

[box]

The crown marks in the first set of pictures are German Mauser crowns, they have a belly base. The only Swedish crown I see is on the wrist and barrel when the barrel was replaced at the Stockholm facility (crown over s). The other markings are all German. Looks to me like a German made Mauser with a replacement barrel. Very nice rifle! Lucky you...if you want to sell it let me know.