Swedish M-38

patriot146

I have a Swedish M-38 that I purchased a couple of years ago. This is a naval issue gun. There is a picture of a ship right above the sight. This is also the dial type sight. The barrell is threaded. It is an all matching,with a like new bore. I would like for someone to explain to me if naval M-38's are a rarity,and what the production on these guns were. I have searched about every sighI that I could find.and I still come up short on Swedish Naval rifles. A ny help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Phillip D. Elkins

Der Gebirgsjager

Phil--I'm going to stick my neck out a little here, but I don't believe that you have a "Naval Rifle" per se. I have a couple of these rifles exactly as you describe in my collection, and I believe that the ship marking you refer to is simply the trademark of the company that manufactured the sight. Hence, your inability to find information on Swedish Naval Rifles. These sights are replacements for target (not combat) use and are much slower to adjust than the sliding bar-type sights originally issued, but they are very good for their intended purpose and are infinitely adjustable for elevation. The threaded barrel remains a matter of controversy, some claiming that they were threaded for attachment of a device that shreds wooden bullets used for practice to avoid injury to others during military exercises, some claiming that they are for the attachment of silencers for use when practicing live fire in urban garrisons, some claiming that they are for the attachment of flash hiders. Perhaps all or a combination is true, but this is also not rare. So, all in all, even with the outstanding condition you have a pretty average rifle. They are an outstanding rifle in many respects--quality of manufacture, caliber, accuracy--and will now be getting progressively more desirable as they're pretty well sold out. You've definately got a keeper, but not a rarity.