Specs

  • Manufacturer: Sweden
  • Model: M/41 and M/41B
  • Caliber: 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser
  • Barrel Length: 29.1" (739mm)
  • Magazine: 5 round mag
  • Stock: Wood
  • Weight: 11.1 lbs (5.05kg)
  • Overall Length: 49.6" (1260mm)

When it comes to legendary military rifles that have a reputation of extremely well made quality, the Swedish Mauser of 1896 will be on the list. This was the rifle that introduced the world to the very capable and successful 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser cartridge and frankly, the ultra popular long range 6.5 Creedmoor is somewhat just a modern interpretation of the 6.5 Swede.

The m/41 and m/41B sniper rifle we are discussing here is a variant of the family of Swedish Mausers.  It is common knowledge that the Mauser is as a German arms company that designed and built many different bolt action rifles and semiauto pistols since the 1870s. Those Mauser designs were later exported and licensed to several different countries, Sweden being one of those that lead to the 1896 Swedish Mauser.  All Swedish Mausers were manufactured by one of three companies: Mauser, Germany; Carl Gustafs, Sweden or Husqvarna, Sweden. An interesting note is that whether manufactured in Germany or Sweden all Swedish Mausers were made with Swedish supplied high-grade material known for its strength, durability and corrosion resistance. 

The Model 1896 chambered in 6.5×55 was adopted by the Swedes in 1896 for infantry use and production was started in 1898 at Carl Gustafs factory. The 1896 has a military two-stage trigger, a 5 round internal magazine, 29” (737mm) barrel, with an over length of 49.6” (1260mm) and weight of 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg).  

Sniper Central Ballistic Cards

Though Sweden remained neutral in both world wars, in the early 1940’s with the onslaught of WWII beginning to surround them, it was identified that they were lacking in the area of sniper rifles which their neighboring Fins were using to great effect against the Russians in the Winter War. So, Sweden did as many other countries have done before and took their proven infantry rifle and mounted an optic to it. This new sniper rifle was designated the M/41  In the years of 1941-1943, about 5,300 1896 rifles were specially selected for their accuracy to be converted into sniper rifles. The rifle was initially equipped with the German 4×42 AJACK scope and mount which were readily available at the time. The base was bolted and pinned to the left side of the receiver and standard European rings were used for mounting the scope.  These scopes and mounts were used until the Germans stopped supplying them in 1943.  From that point, and through the rest of the war, a Swedish produced scope, first the AGA 42 and then the AGA 44, both of which were a 3x scopes, were mounted to the m/41 rifles.  Because of the scope, the rifle’s bolt was turned down to provide proper clearance and manipulation. 

Beginning in 1955, the Swede’s decided it was time to standardize their sniper systems.  Since Germany was no longer at war, Sweden was once again able to acquire the superior German AJACK scope and mount.  There were a few of the original AJACK’s that were still in good enough condition to be used, but most were replaced. The AJACK scope has a four-power magnification, which was pretty common for that era, with a 42mm Objective lens.  The reticle is standard German “picket post” style which has two horizontal stadia with a pointed center vertical post.  The BDC adjustment knob, which also had a locking screw to keep it in place, internally adjusts the reticle’s elevation and is graduated from 100-800m.  The scope was also equipped with a diopter adjustable focus knob in the rear.   

During this upgrade period, a few updates were also made to the mounting system and the designation changed to M/41B. The most prominent feature was the addition of a set screw at the front of the base, this was added to keep the scope from moving too far forward when mounted or when under recoil, this did tend to hinder the removal of the scope. At first glance most might think the camming lever would be for locking the mount into place, it is actually used to free it from the rail.  The mounting screws were also changed; initially the three screws had a locking screw to help keep the main screw in place.  With the remodel the main screw remained, and they just pinned the main screw to keep them from moving.  Additionally, since the scope mounting base covers the rifle’s serial number on the side of the action, they numbered the base with the rifle serial number which was not originally done with the m/41.   

Scopes in that era were pretty fragile, and often times were carried in a can and attached only when needed. Thus, the rifle maintained its iron sights just in case the scope was damaged, or the rifle was used without the scope.  The front sight for the original m/41 was a hand fitted rectangular post that was zeroed for 300 meters, a hood protected it from inadvertent damage. The rear sight was of leaf sight design, when folded down it graduated from 300-600 meters and when flipped up its graduated from 700-2000 meters.  With the remodeling of the rifle, the rear sight was changed to the SM m/55 micrometer style which was graduated by a dial from 100-600 meters and was a precision target style sight. 

When first issued in 1941-42, six m/41 sniper rifles were issued per company and were a standard of Swedish infantry armament. The m/41B continued in service through 1995. The last unit to utilize the m/41B was the Swedish Home Guard and they used it until it was replaced by the scoped AK4OR, a Swedish version of the H&K G3A3 fitted with a Hensoldt Fero Z24 4×24 scope.

The M/41 and M/41B rifles were renowned for their exceptional accuracy and quality for a rifle built during that period. This reputation is well deserved and the smoothness of these rifles is impressive even today.

Sniper Central

23 Comments

Hristo

The rifle m41 + m41b are very expensive , they cost 2000 dollars to 3000dollars ,
I saw a m41 with scope sold at auction
2800dollars recently,
Your are right that it was the Swedish Homeguard that had them last .
Have used and owned the m96 with a different stock = CG63
when the Swedish army got rid of them ordinary m96 with out scope they cost from 500kr to 1000kr about 50dollars to 100dollars , now they cost 2000kr to 3000kr thats about 200 to 300dollars ,
If you have one in good condition put it in a syntetic stock and you have a hunting rifle that will last you a lifetime.

Reply
Мила

In 1940, Finland bought 77,000 M1896 Mausers from Sweden in 6.5?m. They were mainly used by second line units.

Reply
Lobo

Guys I have a beautiful M41B Carl Gustaf 1904 with its scope matching serial numbers bought from Samco Global Arms in the 1990’s. It’s a beauty. If any one is interested, let me know.

Reply
mele-02

I just sent it again. But We have had issues sending to hotmail before, not sure if they just do not like the word sniper in the domain or what. But you may need to add my email to your approved list? mele@snipercentral.com

If you still don’t get it, I’ll send from a different email
MEL

Reply
Joseph A Carlisi

If you still have the m41b mauser, I’m definitely interested sir. I’m looking to compete in vintage sniper matches and an m41b is right in line with what I’m after.

Reply
voodoodoc

mr. kozlowski, i would be interested in purchasing the swedish 41 b that you have for sale,thanks plese contact me with the price, and your location, thanks.

Reply
Bryan Trunnell

I did a M-41 sort of clone over Covid, since I had income but nowhere to spend it, so I spent it on Gunbroker. I got a barreled 1902 Gustav M96 action that had a Kimber 308 fluted barrel on it. I swapped the barrel to a Gewehr standard 29 inch from Lothar Walther (In Geogia, they also have Mod 63 barrels), and had it Cerakoted. I found NOS unserialed parts for the entire bolt and trigger assembly! They made so many spares. So a turned down bolt handle, all the parts, trigger, springs, extractor, triggerguard/magwell, etc. Only non NOS parts were the stock, and stock hardware. I put aftermarket Leupold scope and rings (it was already tapped). All told, about $1400 for the build. It has no iron sights is about the biggest deviation.

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Bryan

I got to test fire it, did 10 rounds with no issues, very positive extraction. I haven’t zeroed the scope, but wanted to ensure clearance of the bolt handle on the scope. It has the usual mild recoil. I was also test firing 3x Enfield No 1 Mk III rifles I reverse-Buuba’d, put them back to as close to stock as I could.

Reply
paolo

hej, jag letar efter ett svenskt Carl Gustav M96/41 gevär, är det någon som har geväret till salu? Låt mig veta på “braud131@gmail.com” .

Reply
mele-02

Here is a translation from Swedish:
Hi, I’m looking for a Swedish Carl Gustav M96/41 rifle, does anyone have the rifle for sale? Let me know at “braud131@gmail.com” .

Reply

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