Swedish Mauser Markings Question

[Grampy50]

I got this Swedish Mauser a little while back, but haven't been able to figure out the "M66" stamped on to the right side of the butt of the stock. I looked around online and couldn't find any information on my own so I was wondering if anyone on here knew anything. 

The year of manufacture is 1917, it was made at Carl Gustav, and seems to have been unmodified.

Thanks for any information!

[Grampy50]

By unmodified I mean that the parts all seem original to an m96 and have correct markings other than the "M66" and an import mark.

[peejman]

Could be an armory mark indicating which rack it should be stored in. 

[No_0ne]

As peejman says, most of the engraved markings you find on old milsurp stocks are rack numbers, put there by whatever military once owned it ...

[Grampy50]

By unmodified I mean that the parts all seem original to an m96 and have correct markings other than the "M66" and an import mark.

 

Thanks for the suggestions abut rack numbering. That's a possibility I hadn't considered.

[Garufa]

If for some reason they did stamp the model number on the stock, which I doubt, it could simply be a mistake.  An upside down 6 is 9.

[Swede]

It always struck me as strange that the Swedes put such good workmanship and quality parts into their rifles and then used a countersink screw that looks like it came from Asia via home depot to attach the bore data disc to the stock.

The four small holes behind the number is where a range plate was attached.  The Swedes went to a 139 gr spitzer boat tail bullet in 1941 that had a different trajectory than the blunt nosed heavier bullet load previously used.  Rather than replace the sights on rifles already in service they attached a metal plate to show the shooter where to set the existing sight to zero the gun for the new ammo at various distances.  Paper decals were attached to some rifles and shellaced over.  The plates and decals were placed upside down so the shooter could cant the rifle and see the information right-side up.  The plate could have been removed when the sights were changed out later or by a previous owner who didn't like the looks of it.

Deciphering markings on European military rifles is a study unto itself.  In addition to the official manufacturing markings which are well documented, various units and organizations like regional militias, as well as armorers in repair and refurbishment depots, had their own markings which may or may not have been well documented.  

 

 

[Andy Lundberg]

Grampy50.   Show me more pictures of this weapon.  Sides view   Buttstock on both sides    And the left side of the receiver,   Not necessarily the serial but the inspector proof and the factory please.    -Andy 

[Grampy50]

Here are the additional pictures you asked for. As for the stock there are no additional markings other than some crown proofs if I remember correctly. The stock is still full length and has all components if that helps.

[Andy Lundberg]

Interesting.   I’ve never seen that stamping type but the font seem correct.   How does it shoot?  

[stealthgoat]

Looks like a rack number to me to me, too. I didn't see that type of rack number referenced in "Crown Jewels", but many different armorers / units  over time. 

Nice rifle! 

[Grampy50]

It seems to shoot well, but I have trouble with the irons being zeroed to 300 meters.