A present for myself - a 1918 Swedish Mauser rifle

In october 2007 I got myself a real nice present, a 1918 Mauser m/96 in very good condition. I bought it here in Sweden, and paid about $76 for it. It is made by "Carl Gustaf Stads Gevärsfaktori", and sports a brand new NOS barrel. This rifle model was the main armament for swedish soldiers, from the late ninteenth centry and well into the 1950s. In fact, in was used as a sniper rifle until about 1995.

The m/96, known as the Swedish Mauser in the US, has a reputation among enthusiasts for being extremely well made and also accurate for a military surplus rifle. Sadly, in Sweden it is often seen as a redneck weapon, only used by those who are too cheap to buy a "proper" new and shiny toy. Still, many scandinavian moose are shot every year by more or less modified m/96.

Note the ultra-cool late 1800s ladder type sight! When flipped in its up position, the rifle is supposed to shoot 300, 600 and 2000 meters. The soldiers fired together in units, fighting off charging enemy cavallery and stuff. Flipped down, in its "nearest" setting, it is marked for 300 meters. Remember, the 1896 Mauser construction was based on experiences gained during the german 1870s wars with France.