Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles Husqvarna 1640 question

I'm looking at a Husqvarna in 7x57 up at auction. It is listed as a Husky 96 but I think this is a mislabeling. I think it is a 1640.

My question is did Husqvarna make the 1640 in 7mm Mauser. The Blue Book of Gun Values shows it in 7mm Rem Mag but not 7mm Mauser. However, looking at the markings on the barrel it definitely looks like a factory caliber marking.

Thanks

This is a 1640 action if that helps

I don't recall the 1600/1640 series being factory offered in 7x57. Could have been rebarreled or a rare factory variant. Pretty easy to differentiate between a 96 and a 1640, i suggest a good inspection before bidding.

They do exist. There was a fellow here that was the moderator over at Swedish Civilian & Sporting Firearms who's name was Steve Bruns. He had a 1640 in 7x57 and we messaged about how it liked Norma 150 grain ammo. He told me it had a slow twist, I:10 IIRC, and wouldn't shoot anything heavier than 150 grain. The model 456, which is the fullstock version is very rare in 7x57 according to Steve.

I found this on the Swedish forum by Steve:
Husqvarna did chamber the 7x57, but only in the 1640 action with the lightweight barrel contour models 4000, 4100, 456, or 458 in the US (the model 1600 in Sweden). It is my understanding that these were done on a special order basis for the US importer, Tradewinds. A number have turned up in Canada and at least one in Sweden so other special orders must have been made.

My first rifle was a Husqvarna model 4100 in 7x57 and I have several more Husky 7x57's (various models) in the gun safe now.

I am quite sure the husqvarna 7x57s were 1-12" twist. Steve was a fountain of knowledge on Husqvarnas and a very nice fellow. We are diminished with his passing.

Below a Husqvarna Model 1600 series in 7x57 factory chambering. The firm Tradewinds was the exclusive U.S. importer for years and my belief that they didn't specifically import the 7mm chambering in any numbers. But the 7mm was popular and proliferant in Europe and my well have come 'home' with a GI from Station there. This carbine is from latter fifties and near the end of production with the steel bottom metal, too be replaced by alloy. First three pix.

The 7mm Rem Mag was also indeed chambered in a 1600 series action but was in a latter sixties "Husky H-5000" Model. Bit more utility finish & clunky stock, while yet the Husqvarna quality. Both of these rifles were CRF. Below is a Husky in that 7 Mag chambering.

The Sixteen Hundred Series itself was a really quite nice small ring basic mauser ]attern action. It succeeded the Model 640, FN based large ring Model 98 early fifties contemporary sporting application.

The Husqvarna mauser based actions were and to some extent still are, the great hidden bargains of their era!

Best!
John

You are correct Pat they were 1:12 (I can't understand that decision) and we are diminished for certain!

Unfortunately, auctions being what they are, the current bid price has exceeded bargain levels. Or at least the level at which I'm still willing to bid.

UPDATE: The winning bid was $575 plus 15% premium plus shipping.

The saddest words of tongue and pen... Are those which say "it might have been." - John Greenleaf Whittier, from 1856.

John

That's not a screaming deal... but if you consider what $700 would get you today, it wouldn't be this quality steel, walnut, CRF, etc.

This is a 1640 Husky. The bolt stop says so. It's a small ring 98. They made them in 7X57; mine is a 7X57AI. This is the Dlx model and has an adjustable trigger. The standard didn't have the feature.

My 1640 7X57AI is the top one.

L2S - Out of curiosity, how was the adjustable trigger from the factory? My 1640 didn't have one, so I ended up refitting the stock for a Timney. (It wasn't as much work as I'd expected and works great.)

I think they were made in numerous calibers but those Tradewinds imported for sale in the US were primarily for calibers popular here. I know a a nice one in 6.5x55 for sale on Kodiak

Luv2... Agree with you! But just for the record... Your lower rifle pictured is of an FN based action; as Husqvarna, a Model 640. My above 1600 series in 7x57 also with adjustable trigger. I'm' not sure whether these were factory installed, accessory fitted at Tradewinds, or as likely many owner-aftermarket fitted commercial units. My impression that most Scandinavian customers were generally satisfied with standard assemblies. Such impression as the majority of adjustable triggers seem to be found in American favored chamberings. Even here in the States, the Husqvarna series came across in context of a "bargain rifle", which in deed they were! Great bargains!

The aside that whomever desiring to see a REAL Scandinavian adjustable trigger, check out the Schultz & Larsen Model 54!

Best!
John

They're OK. This one adjusted in a conventional manner with no quirks.

Yes, the lower was a 640 in 8X57 on a commercial FN action. It was one of the good earlier 640s with the barrel band swivel stud. I installed a Timney Freathrweight in it. It went to a good member here recently, as I am selling off most of my guns now. I have little use for them anymore.