Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2006)

Argentine 1909 Cavalry Carbine
In 1909, Argentina adopted new firearms to replace their 1891 model rifles and carbines. Dubbed the Modelo (model) 1909, the new rifles and carbines were based upon the 98 Mauser rifle design and chambered in the Belgian 7.65x53 Mauser cartridge.

The Argentine Modelo 1909 Cavalry carbine pictured above was manufactured by the Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken, Berlin, Germany (German Arms and Ammunition Factories, Berlin, Germany), also known as DWM, under contract for Argentina. Later model 1909 carbines were also manufactured in Argentina.

Czech BRNO 98/22
Based upon the Mexican Model 1912 and German Model 98 Rifles. Chambered in 8mm/7.92x57mm (most common chambering), 7x57mm, and 7.65x53mm cartridges. Manufactured from 1924 to 1930 by the BRNO Arms Works (Czechoslovak State Armament Works, BRNO) in Czechoslovakia. Used by the Czechoslovakian, Turkish, Kurdistan Rebels, and Chinese Armies in many small battles and wars.

Czech BRNO Vz24
Most famous of the Czech Mauser rifles. Similar in appearance to the German 98k. The upper hand guard extends behind the rear sight, the bolt is straight, and the lower band is secured by a screw through the stock. The rifle has set of swivels on the rear of the stock and a set of swivels on the lower band. Many countries employed the use of the Vz24 in many conflicts. Including China, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Venezuela, Germany, USSR, and even Vietnam against the U.S.

Enfield Rifle No.4 Mk 1 and 2
The No. 4 Mk 1 was introduced in 1939 and officially adopted by Britain as the primary military service rifle, replacing the No.1 series of rifles. The SMLE Mk III was replaced with the SMLE Mk VI. The British changed their rifle nomenclature system and renamed the rifle - Rifle No.1 Mk 1. The No. 4 Mk 2, Mk 1/2, and Mk 1/3 had their triggers pivoted to the receiver instead of the trigger guard. The No. 4 rifle was manufactured in Britain, Canada, Pakistan, and the U.S.

FAL Rifle
Designed by Dieudonne Saive of Fabrique Nationale, the Fusil Automatique Leger (FAL) is an much improved design upon the earlier FN 49 rifle. One of the most rugged and easy battle rifles to maintain and operate. During its height it was carried by over 90+ countries and manufactured by more than 10. Chambered by FN in 7.62x51 NATO to attract American sales. Was almost adopted by the U.S. in the mid 1950s where it was only marginally displaced in competition by the rifle now known as the M14.

Finnish m39 Mosin-Nagant
Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917. Taking advantage of the revolutionary environment in Russia at the time, the Finnish White Guards expelled all communist. The armories left behind became the property of the new Finnish Republic. The Russian Model 1891 became the standard issue to Finnish troops. These rifles were not to the specifications required by the Finnish army so the Finnish m39 Mosin-Nagant was rebuilt upon Russian Model 1891 receivers and included new barrels, sights, and stocks.

M 1949 FN Semiautomatic Rifle
Designed by Dieudonne Saive of Fabrique Nationale prior to WWII. Initial patents were filed in 1936. The FN 49 was not produced until after WWII. Adopted by the Belgian Army in 1951 in 30.06 Here are some of the other countries that adopted the FN: Luxembourg (30.06); Venezuela (7mm Mauser); Egypt (8mm Mauser); Argentina (7.65 mm Argentine).

French MAS model 36
The MAS model 36 replaced the Lebel rifles in 1936. Manufactured at Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS). The French adopted semi-auto MAS-49 rifles in 1949 ending the military life of the MAS 36. The MAS 36 is chambered for the 7.5x54mm rimless cartridge, which was introduced in 1924 for machine guns. It has a needle style bayonet that is carried inverted below the barrel, it can be pulled out and pointed forward. Saw very limited action in WWII and post WWII colonial wars.

German 98k Mauser Carbine
The German Model 98k Mauser Carbine, adopted by Germany as the primary battle rifle in 1935. The 98k was based upon the Mauser turn-bolt action developed by Paul Mauser in 1898. During WWII the 98k was developed in very large quantities in most German occupied countries. After WWII many countries; East Germany, Norway, China, and even Israel issued the rifle to homeland troops. Some were rebarreled to 30.06 and .308 calibers.

Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Rifle
The Type 38 in 6.5x50mm Arisaka caliber was produced from 1905 to the early 1940s at arsenals in Japan, Manchuria, and Korea. The rifle was intended to be replaced by the Arisaka Type 99 but remained in service until the end of WW II.Based on the Mauser action and over-all design. The "38th Year" in the nomenclature refers to the 38th Year of reign of the Emperor at the time of introduction (1905).

Japanese Arisaka Type 99 Rifle
The Japanese Arisaka Type 99 Rifle, manufactured 1939 to 1945 in the Tokyo and Nagoya Arsenals, Japan. It was the replacement of the Type 38 rifle and was the primary Japanese battle rifle until their surrender to Allied forces in 1945. The Type 99 is a variation of the Mauser design and early production models have probably one of the strongest receiver/action of any military bolt action rifles. At the end of WWII the chrysanthemum (mum) markings on the receivers of surrendered Japanese rifles were removed. The sixteen petal mum is the imperial symbol of the Japanese Emperor.

Mosin-Nagant Carbines
Differences between the Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 and the Model 1938 Carbine (m/38 Carbine) are the barrel length, overall length, and length of the stock components. Also the m/38 was not issued with a bayonet nor did it have an integral bayonet that is seen on the m/44. The production run of the m/38 ran from 1938 to 1945. The Soviet�s had a strange fascination or dependency on bayonet capable rifles and the m/44 filled this bill by having a bayonet permanently affixed to the right side of the rifle. The m/44 carbine is pretty much a clone of the m/38 Carbine except for the bayonet. The production run of the m/44 ran from 1943 to the late 1950s.

Madsen M47/Colombian M1958
The Madsen M47/Colombian M1958 Rifle Caliber .30, Dansk Industri Syndikat A.S. produced the rifles in 1947. The Colombian Navy purchased them in 1958 but may have never issued them and they went directly to surplus.

Model 1891/30 Mosin-Nagant
The Russian Model 1891/30 Mosin-Nagant Rifle was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1930. An improved version of the Russian Model 1891 Rifle that was developed by Russian Mosin and Belgian Nagant. Variations of the 1891 rifle are still in use today in several countries. The 1891/30 was produced by the millions to combat invading Nazi Germany in WWII. The 1891/30 was the main battle rifle in Korea used by the communist forces against the UN Allies.

Enfield #2 MK IV Training Rifle
British Enfield #2 MK IV Training Rifle (22LR Caliber Single Shot Training Rifle), .22 Cal Rim-Fire Short Rifle Mk IV, and Rifle No 2 Mk IV* Adopted in 1921, a single shot conversion from the SMLE Mk III Rifles. The rifle is rebarreled from .303 to .22LR. The bolt is modified with an offset striker. The follower and spring are removed from the magazine and then the magazine serves as a collection box for fired cartridge cases. There is no ejector.

Romanian Trainer Model 1969
The Romanian Trainer Model 1969 manufactured 1969 to late 70s in Cugir, Romania.

SKS Carbine
SKS Carbine (7.62 Samozaradnya Vientovka Sistyemi Simonova Obrazets 1945g or 7.62 Simonov System Self-loading Carbine Model 1945) adopted in 1946 replaced the Tokarev Semi-Automatic and Mosin-Nagant Bolt Action Style rifles.
Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, born 1894 in Fedotow, Russia. Sergei started as a blacksmith and then migrated to being a machinist. He entered school to study engineering in 1917, completing the course in 1918. His specialty in design was semi-automatic weapons. In 1926 he was assigned to the Tula Arsenal. He headed the prototype shop of the Fedrov design bureau. Simonov is best known as the designer of the 7.62 Simonov System Self-loading Carbine Model 1945 otherwise known as the SKS 45.

SMLE No.1 Mk III Lee-Enfield Rifle
Adopted by the British Military on January 26, 1907. Adapted from an original design by James Paris Lee and the Royal Arms Factory at Enfield, England. Mk III refers to the third incarnation of the No.1 rifle. This rifle was also manufactured in Australia and India. The Mk III was used in both WWI and WW2. Probably one of the fastest cycling bolt action rifles made for military use. The rifle pictured above was manufactured in 1941, in England, but also has Australian markings on the receiver.

Steyr-Mannlicher m1895 Carbine
The Steyr-Mannlicher m1895 Carbine, a cut down version of the original m1895 rifle when the rifle was rechambered from the 8x50Rmm cartridge to use the 8x56Rmm. Based upon the straight pull bolt of the Steyr Mannlicher, designed by Ferdinand Ritter Von Mannlicher (known for the introduction of the first successful clip fed rifle). During WWII used by German police, reserve, and other non-frontline troops. When Austria adopted the German 8mm Mauser cartridge in 1940, many were rechambered for this round.

Swedish m/38 Rifle
The Swedish m/38 Rifle (manufactured from 1941 to 1943) is based upon the design of the Swedish m96-38 rifle which was a modified m/96 rifle with a new shorter barrel. The barrel length of the m/38 is only 23.1 inches which is six inches shorter than the m/96 Swedish Mauser. The m/38 was a new production rifle with only minor differences from the m/96 including shorter overall length, a new sight, and bent bolt. The m/38 retains all of the quality, grace, and beauty that is indicative of the Swedish Mausers.

Swedish m/96 Rifle
On November 3, 1893 Sweden adopted the 6.5x55mm cartridge. Following this, the Swedes chose the Mauser based rifle to shoot this round. The Swedish Mauser was manufactured relatively unchanged from 1896 to 1938. Designated the Swedish m/96 Rifle or known as it is by collectors - the "Swedish Mauser", this Mauser is one of the most sought after by shooters.

Schmidt Karabiner 31 (K31)
The Swiss, Schmidt-Rubin K31 was adopted in 1933 and stayed in service until 1958. Based on a long lineage of straight pull bolt action rifles, beginning with the Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889. Rubin designed the bullet that was combined with Schmidt's straight pull bolt rifle. A very accurate, detachable magazine fed rifle with a very unique straight pull bolt that allowed the soldier to quickly chamber rounds by pulling straight back on the bolt and then slamming it forward. Very revolutionary engineering in a battle rifle for the late 1800's. Because of this feature the soldier did not have to raise up (exposing themselves to enemy fire) and chamber a round, like a standard turn-bolt rifle.

7.62mm Tokarev (SVT-40)
The Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva (SVT-40) was designed by Soviet Arms Designer Fedor Tokarev. It was manufactured between 1941 and 1945. The SVT-40 is an improved and simplified rifle design over the SVT-38. During WWII SVT-40 rifles were highly prized captures by both German and Finnish troops. I have seen many pictures in books of German troops on the eastern front carrying the SVT-40 (or the German nomenclature of SIG.259r). There were many reasons for this fact: captured ammo was abundant, the SVT-40 rifles were very accurate, very reliable in properly trained hands, and provided a higher rate of fire than the German Kar 98k rifle. Many SVT rifles were sent back to Germany for further study and contributed to the development of Germany's semi-automatic rifles.

U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1.
Between 1941 to 1945 over 6 Million produced by 10 different government contractors (Winchester, Standard Products, Underwood-Elliot-Fisher, Quality Hardware Machine, National Postal Meter, Rock-Ola, IBM, Irwin-Pedersen, Inland of GM, and Saginaw Steering Gear of GM). Developed as a replacement for the M1911 & 1911 A1 Service Pistol. The U.S. Military had a need to arm second line and non-combat (support) troops with a shoulder based weapon. The M1 Carbine saw action in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

U.S. M1 Garand .30 Rifle
The U.S. M1 Garand .30 Rifle, originally developed in the 1920's for the .276 Caliber by Canadian born, John Garand, an employee of the Springfield Armory. The Army did not want to adopt a .276 gas operated rifle and asked that a 30.06 version be developed. The M1 was finally adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936. During WWII the Garand was used in both theaters. It was well liked by the G.I. and could operate successfully in harsh climates, both extreme cold to hot tropical. The M1 was the main U.S. battle rifle in Korea and was still mass produced until 1957 when the U.S. Army adopted the M14 Rifle.

U.S. Model 1903A3 Rifle
The U.S. Model 1903A3 Rifle, manufactured 1903 to 1945, this rifle replaced the Krag-Jorgensen and was the primary U.S. Battle Rifle until 1936, when it was replace by the M1 Garand. In 1942 Remington Arms redesigned the rifle using stamped parts and designated it the 1903A3. The '03 rifle saw service all the way into the early stages of the Vietnam War, were it was still utilized as a sniper rifle in the form of the 1903A4.

U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle The U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle, manufactured 1903 to 1945, this rifle replaced the Krag-Jorgensen and was the primary U.S. battle rifle until 1936, when it was replace by the M1 Garand. In 1942 Remington Arms redesigned the rifle using stamped parts and designated it the 1903A3. The '03 rifle saw service all the way into the early stages of the Vietnam War, were it was still utilized as a sniper rifle in the form of the 1903A4.

U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917
The United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917, developed at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Middlesex. When the United States prepared for WWI, there were shortages of the m1903 Springfield. The '03 manufacturing was not able to keep up with U.S. demand for armaments. The U.S. companies of Remington, Winchester, and the Remington-Eddystone Arsenal, had just completed contracts for m1914 Enfields, for England and were able to retool the existing manufacturing facilities to produce the m1914 in 30-06. Thus the m1917 was born. Phased out at the end of WWI and replaced by the m1903.

Yugo m1948 Short Rifle
The last Mauser Rifle (not made from parts or a rebuilt) produced by Yugoslavia at the famed Kragujevac arsenal, the Model 1948 98k Short Rifle or otherwise called the Yugoslavian M48. Based in design on the German 98k Mauser and the Yugoslavian Model FN 30 and 24 Carbines and Rifles. Yugoslavia produced quite a few of these rifles that now have been brought to the surplus market in New to Like New condition. These 8mm rifles are excellent little shooters that are well made and offer a unique opportunity to the shooter and collector to purchase a Like New variant of the very dependable and well made Mauser 98k. The M48 is a little shorter in overall length in the barrel and the overall length of the rifle in comparison to the original German 98k it is modeled after. Manufactured all of the way into the 50's they became obsolete with the onset of the Semi-Automatic battle rifle. So they were packed up and stored away for the past 50 years.