Monday, August 2, 2010

Model 1894 Swedish Mauser Carbine Restoration


Well I finally got around to a project that I've wanted to do for quite some time.......... the restoration of a 1929 Swedish Mauser Carbine.

This Mauser was was originally purchased by my father back in the late '60's or early '70's (best guess from my memory). At the time Swedish Mausers were being imported to the US and sold for about $50.00 ! Nearly all of them fell to the "sporterized" chop conversion......... many badly done and some wonderfully done. My father converted the gun to a sport rifle and made a beautiful, custom wood stock. The rifle turned out beautiful and as I recall, at least one deer fell to it's 6.5 x 55 caliber rounds.

As I recall, the discarded military stock and sling was going to be thrown away after the removal of the action and barrel. I asked if I could keep the stock as a play thing and it was mine. I played with and kept that stock all these years, with N8 and his friends playing with it as kids as well. I had always assumed that my dad has sold the gun somewhere along the line, but when my grandfather passed away a number of years ago, I inherited that old sporterized Mauser that was in with my grandfather's guns! The plan to restore the old Mauser to it's former military configuration was formed...............

This Swedish Mauser M94 Carbine was made in 1929 by Karl Gustaf and issued to and used by the Swedish military until it's retirement in the 60's. 115,000 M94 carbines were manufactured between 1895 and 1933. According to the brass, ID disc on the stock, this carbine was issued to the 27th Regiment of the Swedish Infantry. Since Sweden has maintained its neutrality for the last 200 years or so, none of these rifles ever saw war time action. This neutrality has served to preserve these rifles in remarkably great condition.



After years of using the stock as a "toy", it took quite a beating! I had to splice a small spot of wood back into the stock near the action, make a repair to the sling buckle attached to the stock, and give the stock a complete refinishing complete with color matching the original stain. When I went ot instal the barrel and action back into the stock, it wouldn't fit!? It seems that the original trigger assembly was replaced with a better aftermarket trigger action when my dad did the conversion. After some careful carving inside the stock, I got it to fit. I'm not sure if the rear sight is original to the military configuration. Many of these Swedish Mausers were equiped with a rear "target sight" instead of the mid barrel stock sight (you can see the open spot in the top view). There were a number of different styles used and not all of them have been documented, so there is still a mystery to solve there.

Well enough of all that restoration babble...... Here are the shots of the finished carbine.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sharky,
Very nice Swedish Carbine. I've been looking for a carbine for some time now and have finally found one to complete my Swedish Mauser set. The carbine is in very good condition except the barrel which has been shot out and is very heavily pitted. Would you have any idea where I could find a replacement "carbine" barrel. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Left250

Sharky said...

Glad you liked the pictures of the restoration. I'm not sure where to find replacement parts for these rifles, but eBay may be a good start, or start doing Google searches and see what turns up!
Good luck.

Sharky

Milford Marine said...

I realize this blog is six years old, but It is inspirational, as I have found an old 1894 carbine that needs a lot of TLC. Rusted muzzle, bayonet stud, etc. I have also found a picture of Swedish "volunteers" in the Winter War, carrying 1894 carbines. They were used in combat. let me know if you want to see them. Boy, I would love to find a new barrel too. I wonder if you can cut down an 1896 barrel? Take care Sharky.

Sharky said...

Glad to hear that you found the blog and have inspiration in it!

It sounds like you have an interesting carbine restoration in you future! The old Swedish Carbines are rare these days.......... be sure to check out my other blog postings about this carbine. You can type "swedish mauser" in the blog search bar to see more blog entries. There are several, including info on the bayonet, etc.

I have no idea about using a long rifle barrel. Interesting thought. In my other postings, you will find links to a few Swedish Mauser web sites that I am sure could sort that out for you.
I would love to see any photos you can send. Please send them to my email address (it's listed on the "about me" side bar). If I can give you any additional information, tips, or links, I'll be sure to send them your way.

Take care and be sure to follow the blog, and look through all the archives........ there's always good stuff!

Unknown said...

i bought a model 1935 peruvian mauser in 1980. it had been converted to a 30.06 caliber by the peruvians. all i did was to get the varnish removed.(some idiot actually put a gloss varnish on a military rifle). after that the rifle was in 90% condition and i got an extremley small spot of rust off of it. i sanded down the stock and made it as smooth as i could get it. i then put 2 thin coats of petroleum jelly on the stock. since then everybody asks me if they can look at it. i believe the petroleum jelly has kept moisture from seeping into the stock. i only paid $125.00 for it. i recently saw one on an auction site that went for $500.00.