Carl Gustafs 1910 Mauser

[PAVarminter]

Gentlemen,

I just purchased a Carl Gustafs 1910 Mauser at a favorite gun shop of mine. Please tell me I didn't pay too much for the rifle. It is all serial number matching except for ramrod and butt plate. The bore is clean, not a mirror finish but the rifling is solid, wood in very nice shape with minor scuff marks, and a 1/4" chip out of the stock in front of the rear sight. The bluing is very good, my amateur guess would be "90%". It is unfortunately tapped with two small holes in the very back of the receiver. It is a clean, nice looking rifle and hard to believe it is 100 years old. The armorer's brass disc markings are "2" for bore condition (which I understand is good considering the high standards of the Swede armorers), "1" for bore diameter (which is very good I understand), and there is a "0" stamped between the "Overslag" and "Str", which I believe means that at 100 meters the rifle is shooting at point of aim, not high, although I understand that typically the armorer would leave that area blank if it shot directly on point of aim, so that is an assumption on my part.

Ok. . . I paid $450 for it. It was listed at $499 but I pointed out the two small scope mount holes in the rear of the receiver and the fact that it technically was not all matching SN, and the dealer cut $50 off. I'm sure he knew I wanted it, as I'm not much of a poker player. However after looking for a Swede Mauser at recent Pennsylvania gun shows, and seeing only a few specimens of poor quality (meaning very beat up and abused), I had to get this, even at $450. How did I do guys? Be honest, I know you will. If anyone is very interested I will post some pics.

[Mosko]

Prices vary by region naturally, but I have done business with a gun shop there in Mifflinville PA and gotten some good deals. I don't know where you are exactly in central PA, so your situation may vary. Also I do my purchases and disposals through an 03FFL.

But, I have a 1917 CG Swede, all matching, with a bayo, and original sling, walnut stock, that I tried to sell for a couple of months for $325 on the internet, with shipping extra (probably about $20) and couldn't sell it.

Everyone said I wanted to much!

[PAVarminter]

Wow! I don't like hearing that!

Yes it's all about supply and demand. I was at the Harrisburg gun show a couple months back and saw maybe a half dozen CGs, not in good shape, and they were $300 and thereabouts. So, I think if I held out a while and waited for that good deal to come up I would have saved some money, but then that good deal may never materialize. Also, these rifles will only increase in value as the years pass by, so in 20 years $450 will have seemed a deal. I like to reload for them and shoot them, so I'm not in it for the money. I have 6 other 20th century bolt milsurps none of which I paid more than $150 for, including a nice Canadian Long Branch Enfield I bought for $95 back in the early '90s.

thanks Mosko -

[DOGolden]

Well for starters let's see some pix! Yeah.. some pix when you get a chance. I think you did good (hell Swede's rock y'know). I think you paid a little much for it ----- BUT ----- that's behind you now (full stream ahead young man).

I have a FFL and travel the gun show circuit in South Carolina. I have had some Swede's on my table for $299 and couldn't give them away. I've also had pricey ones on the table that sold first thing in the morning.

I think Swede's in any condition are worth $299.

Anyway, good job on the Swede (now let's see some pix)!!

[PAVarminter]

Thanks for the feedback DOGolden. I will do my best to get away from the wife for an hour tomorrow night and get some pics posted. Any suggestions on repairing those two ugly little tap holes in the rear of the receiver? I was thinking of putting two steel screw plugs in them and TENDERLY smooth them into the metal, then a bit of spot bluing. . . They will not be totally invisible but at least I believe it would be an improvement. My intention on collecting 20th century bolt milsurps is for the enjoyment of doing research on them, and of course reloading for them and shooting them.

Pics hopefully tomorrow night.

[Scott in SC]

I think that rifle is drilled for Diopter sights. I find that desirable personally. I have had lots of Swedes. I have kept one 96 and 4 38's. I piad crazy low prices way back when. I'd say that you may have paid anything from $150 too much to you stole it. Really depends on what the other fella's have said. Location and what you really have. Regardless, you are going to be a happy Swede owner! :headbanger:

BTW, found this with a search. Might help???
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/metzgeri/Swedish/DiopterDimension1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php%3Fp%3D338505%26sid%3Db69f41172777d7c b99c71577781747f0&usg=__d1NIL9A0nAn23Fx5PMEmJTM2-dM=&h=799&w=530&sz=58&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=goF0Zyv9d-Sr_M:&tbnh=143&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dswedish%2Bmauser%2Bdiopter%2Bsight%2B hole%2Bpattern%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfiref ox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26tbs%3Disch:1

[PAVarminter]

I am unfamiliar with Diopter sights. . .I hope it is the case with mine. It would make sense, as the two holes are offset from each other, and no other tap holes for the second scope mount are present, for two piece mounts anyway. Here are four pics and I will attach four more if possible.

[PAVarminter]

And here are four more . . . I had hoped they would turn out a little better than they did.
Guys, thank you for your support. So what is your assessment. . . overpaid, on target or jackpot? If the pics are good enough for an educated guess.

[PAVarminter]

Four more, what the heck. I hope I'm not breaking protocol here.

[Scott in SC]

Well the hole do match what I posted. :)
I like what you have. I'd say you paid a fair price for it. Find a sight to put back there and have fun!
As to price, it really doesn't matter. Most do not have the ability to place the sights where yours can be. I'd call it a GOOD buy! :grinning-thumbsup:

[PAVarminter]

Scott, thanks for the input. I'm happy with the purchase. Like I said, I have not seen too many of theses in my area, in good shape. I checked out the link you provided - and was very happy to see that those taps are for diopter sights. Very good! Changed my mind now about "fixing" them. . . ha ha! Now to find some diopter sights at a fair price. And a bayonet. And a sling.

[kjohn]

Nice old rifle! If it makes you feel any better, I have three 96's. Two I probably paid under $200, and the third one, a really nice one, I paid $600. It belonged to a good old fellow, who has become a friend. I wanted a rifle that belonged to him, so price wasn't the only consideration.:p