Original Swedish Mauser m/1894-14 Carbine by Waffenfabrik Mauser Dated 1895 with Bayonet Lug - Matching Serial 10186

Original Item: Only one Available. "Swedish Mausers" are a family of bolt-action rifles based on an improved variant of Mauser's earlier Model 1893, but using the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and incorporating unique design elements as requested by Sweden. These are the m/94 (Model 1894) carbine, m/96 (Model 1896) long rifle, m/38 (Model 1938) short rifle and m/41 (Model 1941) sniper rifle. In 1898 production began at Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

All Swedish Mausers were chambered for the 6.5×55mm cartridge, and all Swedish-made actions were proof-tested with a single 6.5×55mm proof round developing approximately 455 MPa (65,992 psi) piezo pressure (55,000 CUP). Swedish Mausers were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser AG in Oberndorf a/N in Germany and in Sweden by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag. All Swedish Mausers, whether built in Germany or Sweden, were fabricated using a Swedish-supplied high grade tool steel alloyed with nickel, copper, and vanadium, a product then noted for its strength and corrosion resistance.

The m/1894 carbine was adopted in 1894 as the first of the "Swedish Mauser" designs put into large scale production. There had been a m/1892 carbine submitted for trials, and the m/1894 was the finished product. The first 12,000 carbines were manufactured by Waffenfabrik Mauser in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany. This series of carbines were all manufactured in 1895, and a very few spare receivers dated 1895 were received from Mauser Oberndorf's manufacturers "Ludwig Loewe & Company".

During the Pre-WWI Period in 1914, the decision was made to add a SMLE style bayonet attachment nose cap to the carbines. These were designated the m/1894-14, and many previously produced carbines were retrofitted. They were used with two long bayonets, the most prevalent of which was the m/1914 long bayonet. The second minor bayonet was the very long bladed m/1915 navy bayonet with the edge facing upwards.

This is a very nice example of the first production run made in Germany, which received the later modifications in 1914 for the addition of a bayonet. The front of the receiver is maker marked by the Mauser Weapon Factory (Waffenfabrik) in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany, over the date of manufacture:

WAFFENFABRIK
MAUSER
OBERNDORF A/N
1895.

The left side of the receiver and rear sight are marked with serial number 10186, while the bolt handle and barrel band are marked with shortened number 186, also found on the smaller rear sight components. The firing pin holder sleeve, magazine floor plate, nose cap, and other components are marked with 86, which makes this a great "ALL MATCHING" example, with no major parts swapped out over the years. There is also an intact brass unit marking disk on the right side of the stock, marked IK1 / №199, which we believe is for the 1st Swedish Cavalry, 1st Battalion.

Condition of the carbine is very good, with the metalwork still showing strong bluing, as it was possibly partly refinished when modified at arsenal. The bolt is still the correct bright steel, and shows some staining on the bolt handle, and the action and magazine follower are all still bright steel as well. The rear sight is intact and fully functional, with both the short range leaf and ladder intact. The bolt cycles well, with the magazine follower correctly popping up to obstruct the bolt when the magazine is empty. This made sure that the soldier would remember to load a new stripper clip into the internal magazine. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of light overall oxidation, and signs of light use. The muzzle and has been counterbored in a bit to remove worn lands, though to improve accuracy. We checked the safety, and it is fully functional, preventing firing in the center position, and locking the bolt closed when moved to the right.

The stock is in very good condition, with a very nice color, showing light wear from service. We did notice that there is a crack on both sides of the butt stock toe, which looks to start where the lower butt plate screw is. We did not notice any movement, so it may just be a stress crack, and not from mishandling. The leather buckle on the butt stock for the sling is still in very good condition, though we unfortunately do not have the sling.

Overall a really good example, one of the few example of this variant that we have ever had! Ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1895 - modified later
Caliber: 6.5×55mm Swedish Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 18 Inches
Overall Length: 37 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine