N5PVL
05-11-2006, 01:19 AM
I recently purchased a 96 Swedish mauser manufactured in 1904 as an investment. It has an excellent bore, matching serial numbers throughout and looks very fine for its age.
It should double or maybe triple in value over the next decade or so.
I have read a lot of good reports on the 6.5x55 cartridge and the 96 mausers have a good reputation for accuracy, so I bought one of those B-Square scope mounts that clamps onto the rifle's rear sight, requiring no drilling or tapping. It does not alter of mar the gun, so the gun's collector value is not affected.
I used the B-Square mount and a cheap optical sight from Walmart with a 3 minute of angle red dot and found that the old 96 mauser would easily shoot into one inch at 100 yards.
My daughter's first group firing a high-powered rifle was with the light-recoiling Swede, and she put three rounds into one inch. - I saved that target for framing.
Right now these fine old military rifles are still available at reasonable prices. They are considered to be the most finely crafted of the military mausers and I can see why. - The metalwork is superb on this old gun.
With the optical sight, the rifle would make a passable deer gun, for hunting from a stand. With the 29 inch barrel and heavy military stock the gun wieghs just over 9 pounds, so it's not something you would want to carry around all day.
At the range or in a deer stand though it is an outstanding performer, and with reasonable care it should gain in value over the years.
If you get a chance for one of these, I'd say go for it. - I'm certainly happy with mine.
P.S. - Barreled actions are also available for those of you who would like to build up a sporter. It would be a travesty to whack up a good military rifle that is collectable.
It should double or maybe triple in value over the next decade or so.
I have read a lot of good reports on the 6.5x55 cartridge and the 96 mausers have a good reputation for accuracy, so I bought one of those B-Square scope mounts that clamps onto the rifle's rear sight, requiring no drilling or tapping. It does not alter of mar the gun, so the gun's collector value is not affected.
I used the B-Square mount and a cheap optical sight from Walmart with a 3 minute of angle red dot and found that the old 96 mauser would easily shoot into one inch at 100 yards.
My daughter's first group firing a high-powered rifle was with the light-recoiling Swede, and she put three rounds into one inch. - I saved that target for framing.
Right now these fine old military rifles are still available at reasonable prices. They are considered to be the most finely crafted of the military mausers and I can see why. - The metalwork is superb on this old gun.
With the optical sight, the rifle would make a passable deer gun, for hunting from a stand. With the 29 inch barrel and heavy military stock the gun wieghs just over 9 pounds, so it's not something you would want to carry around all day.
At the range or in a deer stand though it is an outstanding performer, and with reasonable care it should gain in value over the years.
If you get a chance for one of these, I'd say go for it. - I'm certainly happy with mine.
P.S. - Barreled actions are also available for those of you who would like to build up a sporter. It would be a travesty to whack up a good military rifle that is collectable.