One of the best-known and least-seen rare Mauser is the Luxemburg M 1900 rifle, almost a copy of the m/96 Swedish Mauser (and indeed built from leftover parts of the Swedish contract). An old thread in the Swedish Military Firearms Forum showed pictures of such a rare gun, unfortunately sporterized. Better photos than in the thread itself, where only two photos had survived, can be had at the poster's website in the pull-up menu:
http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/
And here now is the thread:
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TE53
Gunboards Premium Member
190 Posts
Posted - 05/02/2005 : 10:05:29 PM
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I recently picked up this rifle with the serial number "L 352".
It has what appears to be commercial proof marks, and it is an Oberndorf 1900. I have read in Crown Jewels (pp. 71-73) that the Oberndorf factory presented Swedish officers with a rifle when they visited the factory. However, this rifle appears to have a standard military stock (unfortunately now sporterized by a previous owner) instead of the civilian version described in the book.
The proof marks and matching serial numbers are on the receiver, barrel, and straight bolt handle. The ejector box, floorplate, stock, and trigger guard are all marked 352. Other bolt parts have been replaced and the serials scrubbed. No other original parts exist.
Can anyone shed some light on what kind of Swede this is and the meaning of the unusual serial number?
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/200552214018_1900 OB L352-5.JPG
Download Attachment:
23.44 KB
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/20055221415_1900 ob l352-Bolt4.jpg
Download Attachment:
4.08 KB
Visit my site-- http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/
Dutchman
Moderator - Swedish Military Firearms Forum
USA
1439 Posts
Posted - 05/02/2005 : 11:19:28 PM
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Holy Luxembourg, Batman!!
That isn't a Swedish Mauser. It appears to be one of 500 m/96 type rifles built for Luxembourg. Never seen one before. Ball says 5,000, Olsen says 500. Known as the Model 1900. The serial number L-prefix is the give-away.
Can you do a full set of photos?
Edited by - Dutchman on 05/02/2005 11:35:57 PM
Brew_Ha_Ha
Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member
555 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 08:01:00 AM
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Neat find, never heard of a Luxembourg m96.
Cruffler
Gunboards Super Premium Member
USA
527 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 10:07:46 AM
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Rare. I've heard of only a couple in the US.
TE53
Gunboards Premium Member
190 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 9:37:10 PM
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Thanks for that interesting information!
I haven't taken any new pics yet, but here are some from the seller:
Download Attachment:
21.18 KB
Download Attachment:
44.03 KB
Download Attachment:
60.92 KB
Download Attachment:
40.29 KB
This is a scan showing the receiver and nearby wood after I have cleaned them up a little:
Download Attachment:
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/200553211410_1900 OB L352-new1.JPG
227.3 KB
It is disappointing that it is no longer original. It now has a Redfield peep sight and the front blade sight is from a 1903 Springfield (according to the seller).
The barrel was cut down to about 22 inches, and the stock ground down to a kind of Monte Carlo style. The exposed metal retains very little bluing. There is evidence of some rust pitting where the rear handguard ring would have been and also at the wood line on the barrel and trigger guard.
After I removed the damaged varnish finish, I found that the walnut stock has some tiger striping throughout. I plan to refinish with boiled linseed oil. I'll post some new pictures when available.
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Visit my site-- http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/
http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/
And here now is the thread:
* * *
TE53
Gunboards Premium Member
190 Posts
Posted - 05/02/2005 : 10:05:29 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently picked up this rifle with the serial number "L 352".
It has what appears to be commercial proof marks, and it is an Oberndorf 1900. I have read in Crown Jewels (pp. 71-73) that the Oberndorf factory presented Swedish officers with a rifle when they visited the factory. However, this rifle appears to have a standard military stock (unfortunately now sporterized by a previous owner) instead of the civilian version described in the book.
The proof marks and matching serial numbers are on the receiver, barrel, and straight bolt handle. The ejector box, floorplate, stock, and trigger guard are all marked 352. Other bolt parts have been replaced and the serials scrubbed. No other original parts exist.
Can anyone shed some light on what kind of Swede this is and the meaning of the unusual serial number?
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/200552214018_1900 OB L352-5.JPG
Download Attachment:
23.44 KB
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/20055221415_1900 ob l352-Bolt4.jpg
Download Attachment:
4.08 KB
Visit my site-- http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/
Dutchman
Moderator - Swedish Military Firearms Forum
USA
1439 Posts
Posted - 05/02/2005 : 11:19:28 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holy Luxembourg, Batman!!
That isn't a Swedish Mauser. It appears to be one of 500 m/96 type rifles built for Luxembourg. Never seen one before. Ball says 5,000, Olsen says 500. Known as the Model 1900. The serial number L-prefix is the give-away.
Can you do a full set of photos?
Edited by - Dutchman on 05/02/2005 11:35:57 PM
Brew_Ha_Ha
Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member
555 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 08:01:00 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neat find, never heard of a Luxembourg m96.
Cruffler
Gunboards Super Premium Member
USA
527 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 10:07:46 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rare. I've heard of only a couple in the US.
TE53
Gunboards Premium Member
190 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2005 : 9:37:10 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for that interesting information!
I haven't taken any new pics yet, but here are some from the seller:
Download Attachment:
21.18 KB
Download Attachment:
44.03 KB
Download Attachment:
60.92 KB
Download Attachment:
40.29 KB
This is a scan showing the receiver and nearby wood after I have cleaned them up a little:
Download Attachment:
http://old.gunboards.com/uploaded/TE53/200553211410_1900 OB L352-new1.JPG
227.3 KB
It is disappointing that it is no longer original. It now has a Redfield peep sight and the front blade sight is from a 1903 Springfield (according to the seller).
The barrel was cut down to about 22 inches, and the stock ground down to a kind of Monte Carlo style. The exposed metal retains very little bluing. There is evidence of some rust pitting where the rear handguard ring would have been and also at the wood line on the barrel and trigger guard.
After I removed the damaged varnish finish, I found that the walnut stock has some tiger striping throughout. I plan to refinish with boiled linseed oil. I'll post some new pictures when available.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my site-- http://mausersonline.spaces.live.com/