Here is the M96 Swedish sniper rifle in its final form. The experience of war led the Swedes to produce a scope similar to the Russian model of the period . It was simple to produce and robust. These scopes are also uncommon in the States.
Swedish Sniper AGA44
- Thread starter Richard Walter
- Start date
After this last series of posts, I've gotta say I'm so glad you came along. there is so much out there, that without seeing it, we are often left to our own speculations
As you may have seen, we have the "Baddest Sniper Rifle On a Military Action" thread. Many of us have discussed what we saw, but without the benefit of a head to head comparison, there just may be no way of actually knowing. Training to a systems strengths is vital also. A country could field the best sniper rifle in the world. But, without training to the conditions and how to best utilize a weapon, it could render it a lot less useful than it could be.
Not a rifle, but a good example is the P-40 of WWII. With standard U.S. training at the time, the plane wasn't considered viable in combat. But the AVG, followed on by the 23rd FG/14th AF made excellent use of an "obsolete" aircraft. Training to the strengths of the aircraft and utilizing tactics. A sniper rifle is the same. It gives so much more reach than a rifle without the enhancements. In the hands of an incompetent, however, it's meaningless.
As you may have seen, we have the "Baddest Sniper Rifle On a Military Action" thread. Many of us have discussed what we saw, but without the benefit of a head to head comparison, there just may be no way of actually knowing. Training to a systems strengths is vital also. A country could field the best sniper rifle in the world. But, without training to the conditions and how to best utilize a weapon, it could render it a lot less useful than it could be.
Not a rifle, but a good example is the P-40 of WWII. With standard U.S. training at the time, the plane wasn't considered viable in combat. But the AVG, followed on by the 23rd FG/14th AF made excellent use of an "obsolete" aircraft. Training to the strengths of the aircraft and utilizing tactics. A sniper rifle is the same. It gives so much more reach than a rifle without the enhancements. In the hands of an incompetent, however, it's meaningless.
I am honored by your reply. When I was of age, I wanted nothing more than to serve our country. My first choice was to be a Marine Corp sniper. However at 6’6,” my father had other ideas. His experience in the Navy was such he forbade this idea.My respect for him was and is still great, so I relented . Thus I have become just a “wanna be” who has never gotten over my interest in snipers, rifles and firearms in general. It is the one thing that if I could have it to do over again......my humble thanks to all who have served.
As someone who has been there done that (combat...but not much) I would have to say, your father gave you some sage advice. I am still enamored with sniping and I wasn't one while in the service. I did have the unique perspective of helping to conduct that training while I was in during my time in S-3. It is a fascinating subject and not without it's own fallout when it's all over. What I say to people in your position is keep enjoying it the way you do. It's not only interesting to you, but the amount of history you have tapped into is amazing for everyone you share it with.
Something else about serving on the front lines. I don't know why many of us felt that was what we needed to do to prove ourselves as well as serve the nation. All jobs in the military are important. Who got us there? Who made sure we had boots, uniforms, beans, bullets and blankets? Who provided support for our support people? Lastly, Not one thing we used in the military, at the time I was in was manufactured by military people. Food was produced by civilians, and checked by civilians before it got to our cooks, or came in a can/bag. All the weapons were civilian manufactured. That's from pistols and rifles all the way up to aircraft carriers. Even though there was a military plan in place for combat, there was also a civilian plan in place for what happened after. People sometimes get the idea their job or company is just an inane one. A lot more pieces go into the puzzle of serving America than being in the military on the front line.
Please keep up the good work you do here.
"These scopes are also uncommon in the States."
Yes, and thanks for sharing those pics. That is a rare WWII scope.
My understanding is that Nazi Germany offered to sell the Swedes a bunch of 4x AjACK scopes in the 1941-1942 period in exchange for some high-quality Swedish steel. By 1943, due to the battle of Stalingrad, Hilter and company decided that they could not send any more of their high-quality AJACK scopes to Sweden - as they were desperately needed for the German Army (Wehrmacht) fighting a two-front war. So, Sweden made their own domestic scope in the 1944 period, which is shown in those pics (AGA44). They are indeed rare in this country.
Coincidentally, my one and only M41B is also a 1900 dated Mauser made for the Swedish military, but mine has a 1941 dated AJACK scope on it. Anyhow, thanks for sharing those pics.
Yes, and thanks for sharing those pics. That is a rare WWII scope.
My understanding is that Nazi Germany offered to sell the Swedes a bunch of 4x AjACK scopes in the 1941-1942 period in exchange for some high-quality Swedish steel. By 1943, due to the battle of Stalingrad, Hilter and company decided that they could not send any more of their high-quality AJACK scopes to Sweden - as they were desperately needed for the German Army (Wehrmacht) fighting a two-front war. So, Sweden made their own domestic scope in the 1944 period, which is shown in those pics (AGA44). They are indeed rare in this country.
Coincidentally, my one and only M41B is also a 1900 dated Mauser made for the Swedish military, but mine has a 1941 dated AJACK scope on it. Anyhow, thanks for sharing those pics.
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