I just acquired this beauty. Anno 1901 with not a scratch, looks unfired, with all parts numbered.

So that is what my gun use to look like.
Very nice find sir. May I ask how you came about it?

In July, I bought a good looking US1903A3 from an importer catering to collectors.

I was so enthused with the sub-MOA accuracy of that rifle (with issue iron sights !) that I longed for more and went back, hoping to find a P17 in the same condition. While I was evaluating the available Enflields, my eye caught what appeared to be the nicest M96 I ever saw. No need to add that we got "married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout". Here are a few more detailed pics of "Carl" :








Problem is, I'm still without a good P17 and my wife's on my back asking stupid questions like '...why do you need all those guns for ?". Go figure,...

I thought that " SE " was a recent appelation when the Swdes and Norwegians finally agreed on dimensions ??

No they agreed on 6,5x55 SKAN, a 6,5x55 SE loaded to higher pressures destined for modern rifles and NOT to be shot in older M96's

That's without doubt the finest condition Swede I've ever seen. I own several of them and really like 'em.
They have the best triggers on any military gun ever made IMO.

Congrats on a great example.

Good looking rifle Andre! Last weekend at the range, I was shooting alongside a fellow shooting an M96 with a scope on it. Very accurate at 300yd.

Your rifle was refinished one time. The crown stamped in the stock behind the trigger guard indicates this. The Swedes were so good at refinishing their Mauser rifles, that it is difficult to see the difference between original finish and a refinished rifle.

Doug Bowser Author of:

"Neutrality through Marksmansip" (Swedish rifle book)

Let alone its good looks, it shoots too. Here's a 10-shot group, shot over military issue sights at 100 meters (true, I went to a higher FS blade to bring it just above POA).

Andre, congratulations on the wonderful M96 -- and on having access to a 100-meter range. My understanding is these are hard to come by in Belgique.

How right you are, Bill. I know of only one 6-lane underground 100 m range around Brussels. There are maybe another 4-5 100 and + open shooting ranges in Belgium. A few are military open to civilians on w-e (most military ranges are not accessible, though, because they are balking at the cost of keeping up with legal safety norms imposed upon civilian installations. The government being its own insurer, the military can (not)do whatever they (dis)like as long as they stay among themselves).

Great piece!

I have one bought 20 years ago and it looked unfired as well, great shooter with Norma ammo and handloads @ 300m.