icebear
Sako-addicted
While the Sako Classic I recently posted was my first Sako in 6.5x55, it was far from my first rifle in that caliber. (Here's a link to that thread: https://sakocollectors.com/forum/threads/av-classic-in-6-5x55.15714/) I also have a Tikka 695 in 6.5x55, as well as a modest collection of Swedish military Mausers, which I have been accumulating since the 90's. The 6.5x55 cartridge was developed for the Swedish military in the 1890's and remains a superlative cartridge for hunting. Following below are photos and notes on my Tikka and the Swedish military Mausers.
First, a Tikka M695 with aSwarovski 3-9x scope. Tikka actions are famously smooth and this one is no exception. It's fussy about ammo. It doesn't seem to like any factory ammo I've tried; the only load I've been able to get under 1 MOA was a handload.
Next, the pride of my Swedish Mauser collection, an M41B sniper rifle. It's all original (as arsenal rebuilt in 1955), matching except for a few small parts, and has a matching scope and can and a correct Swedish sniper sling. The scope is a German made Ajack in a Jackenroll side mount. The rifle was handpicked from the importer's stock when these rifles were imported about 20 years ago. Accuracy is around 1 MOA with Swedish service ball ammo. It had a truly amazing amount of copper in the barrel when I got it; I've spent a lot of time over the years with copper cleaner and I don't think I've gotten it all out yet.
The 1894 carbine was the first Swedish Mauser built for the new cartridge. This example is modified to a model 94-14 with the addition of a bayonet lug. The bayonet is almost as long as the barrel. This carbine has all matching numbers and the original sling. The decal on the buttstock is a sight calibration chart. The sights are set for the original 160-grain roundnose cartridge; the decal tells the shooter how to get correct elevation with the newer 139-grain pointed bullet. The brass disc identifies the unit the gun was originally issued to; these discs were later replaced with discs indicating the condition of the bore.
The next two rifles are standard-issue M96 infantry rifles. Both are stamped SA for the Finnish army (Suomen Armeija). The one on top, which has been refinished, was my first Swedish Mauser and the one that got me interested in collecting them. At the beginning of the Winter War, Finland was desperate for rifles and the Swedes helped out with a few thousand M96's. Because they did not use the same ammo as Finnish rifles, the Swedish guns were mostly issued to rear-echelon and reserve units.
The FSR was a Swedish volunteer shooting club associated with the military. Members were allowed to modify their rifles for target shooting, and the result was a proliferation of different sight combinations. Here are three FSR rifles in different configurations. On top is a custom gun built by the famous Swedish builder Folke Dahlberg. It appears to be the barreled action of an FSR rifle with an Elit rear sight put into a custom stock. Dahlberg worked extensively with Husqvarna. I have never seen or heard of another Folke Dahlberg rifle on a military action, but the design and the iconic asymmetrical diamond inlay mark it as his work.
The second rifle is somewhat unusual for an FSR gun. The modified bolt handle is atypical; most just have the original straight bolt handle. The rear sight is unknown; I have been unable to find it in any of my reference books or online. It basically works like the Elit sight but the elevation knob is different. If any of you recognize the sight, please post.
The only modification on the third rifle is the substitution of the M42 open rear sight for the original. The M42 sight has much superior elevation control compared to the original battle sight.
In the late 1930's, the Swedish army decided that it needed rifles in a shorter, handier size than the M96, but not as small as the M94 carbine. The result was the M38 carbine. New guns were made by Husqvarna and featured a low bolt. Some older M96 rifles were also modified to the new configuration; most of these retained their straight bolts and were fitted with Vasteras wheel-adjusting sights. These converted guns are known to collectors as the M96/38, but that is not an official designation. A few converted rifles have low bolts, but this is rare. In the photo, the top rifle is an original Husqvarna M38. The middle rifle is a converted M96, unissued after an arsenal rebuild. The rack tag is still on the buttstock. The bottom rifle is an 1898 Oberndorf-built conversion with a low bolt and a very nice walnut stock. It's one of my favorites.
This photo shows the three lengths of the Swedish Mauser compared: the M94 carbine, the M38 short rifle, and the M96 long rifle.
And finally, here is the last Swedish military rifle designed for the 6.5x55 cartridge, the AG42B semiautomatic. The AG42B is often called the Ljungmann after its principal designer. It is considered to be an ancestor of the M16/AR15 design because it uses a direct-impingement gas system rather than an operating rod like the M1 Garand. It has a 10-round detachable magazine and a built-in muzzle brake. The mag is not intended to be changed in the field; it is reloaded from 5-round stripper clips like the bolt-action Mausers. After production ended, the machinery was sold to Egypt and used to produce the 8mm Hakim.
First, a Tikka M695 with aSwarovski 3-9x scope. Tikka actions are famously smooth and this one is no exception. It's fussy about ammo. It doesn't seem to like any factory ammo I've tried; the only load I've been able to get under 1 MOA was a handload.
Next, the pride of my Swedish Mauser collection, an M41B sniper rifle. It's all original (as arsenal rebuilt in 1955), matching except for a few small parts, and has a matching scope and can and a correct Swedish sniper sling. The scope is a German made Ajack in a Jackenroll side mount. The rifle was handpicked from the importer's stock when these rifles were imported about 20 years ago. Accuracy is around 1 MOA with Swedish service ball ammo. It had a truly amazing amount of copper in the barrel when I got it; I've spent a lot of time over the years with copper cleaner and I don't think I've gotten it all out yet.
The 1894 carbine was the first Swedish Mauser built for the new cartridge. This example is modified to a model 94-14 with the addition of a bayonet lug. The bayonet is almost as long as the barrel. This carbine has all matching numbers and the original sling. The decal on the buttstock is a sight calibration chart. The sights are set for the original 160-grain roundnose cartridge; the decal tells the shooter how to get correct elevation with the newer 139-grain pointed bullet. The brass disc identifies the unit the gun was originally issued to; these discs were later replaced with discs indicating the condition of the bore.
The next two rifles are standard-issue M96 infantry rifles. Both are stamped SA for the Finnish army (Suomen Armeija). The one on top, which has been refinished, was my first Swedish Mauser and the one that got me interested in collecting them. At the beginning of the Winter War, Finland was desperate for rifles and the Swedes helped out with a few thousand M96's. Because they did not use the same ammo as Finnish rifles, the Swedish guns were mostly issued to rear-echelon and reserve units.
The FSR was a Swedish volunteer shooting club associated with the military. Members were allowed to modify their rifles for target shooting, and the result was a proliferation of different sight combinations. Here are three FSR rifles in different configurations. On top is a custom gun built by the famous Swedish builder Folke Dahlberg. It appears to be the barreled action of an FSR rifle with an Elit rear sight put into a custom stock. Dahlberg worked extensively with Husqvarna. I have never seen or heard of another Folke Dahlberg rifle on a military action, but the design and the iconic asymmetrical diamond inlay mark it as his work.
The second rifle is somewhat unusual for an FSR gun. The modified bolt handle is atypical; most just have the original straight bolt handle. The rear sight is unknown; I have been unable to find it in any of my reference books or online. It basically works like the Elit sight but the elevation knob is different. If any of you recognize the sight, please post.
The only modification on the third rifle is the substitution of the M42 open rear sight for the original. The M42 sight has much superior elevation control compared to the original battle sight.
In the late 1930's, the Swedish army decided that it needed rifles in a shorter, handier size than the M96, but not as small as the M94 carbine. The result was the M38 carbine. New guns were made by Husqvarna and featured a low bolt. Some older M96 rifles were also modified to the new configuration; most of these retained their straight bolts and were fitted with Vasteras wheel-adjusting sights. These converted guns are known to collectors as the M96/38, but that is not an official designation. A few converted rifles have low bolts, but this is rare. In the photo, the top rifle is an original Husqvarna M38. The middle rifle is a converted M96, unissued after an arsenal rebuild. The rack tag is still on the buttstock. The bottom rifle is an 1898 Oberndorf-built conversion with a low bolt and a very nice walnut stock. It's one of my favorites.
This photo shows the three lengths of the Swedish Mauser compared: the M94 carbine, the M38 short rifle, and the M96 long rifle.
And finally, here is the last Swedish military rifle designed for the 6.5x55 cartridge, the AG42B semiautomatic. The AG42B is often called the Ljungmann after its principal designer. It is considered to be an ancestor of the M16/AR15 design because it uses a direct-impingement gas system rather than an operating rod like the M1 Garand. It has a 10-round detachable magazine and a built-in muzzle brake. The mag is not intended to be changed in the field; it is reloaded from 5-round stripper clips like the bolt-action Mausers. After production ended, the machinery was sold to Egypt and used to produce the 8mm Hakim.