Swedish Ljungmans AG42B rifle

During the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union multiple SVT-38 rifles were captured by the Fins. It is believed one rifle found its way to Sweden. The AG m/42 was designed by Erik Eklund of the AB C.J Ljungmans Verkständer company.  The AG42 loosely uses the SVT’s mechanics and in the year 1941 production went into effect at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna. By 1942 30,00 rifles had been produced and that was the final year of production making this a very shortly produced rifle. The. Swedes kept in military service from 1942 until the mid 1960s. The standard military would use the 6.5mm M96 Mauser rifle. Norweigian military police trained in Sweden during WW2 and were issued the AG m/42 after the German surrender in 1945 these rifles were brought back to Norway and converted into the AG m/42B version. This version was a fix after number of issues were discovered such as gas tubes rusting, and the wood stocks. The modifications switched the gas tube to stainless steel and improved the bolt design and safety to prevent hand injuries. The sight would also receive a new elevation knob and rubber case deflector. The modifications would be made from 1953 until 1956. During the early 1950s the AG 42 design was licensed and sold to Egypt resulting in the Hakim rifle chambered in 8mm Mauser. Sweden even sold the machinery to Egypt making the Hakim built on the same tooling. Danish Madsen tried to license the rifle too but never got past the prototype stage. Eventually the rifle was replaced by the AK4 which is the HK G3. 

The rifle pictured is the rifle for sale. This Swedish M42 is in excellent condition. A rare catch in today’s age and not sporterized either. This rifle is marked 1945 indicating it was likely produced in 1945 by Carl Gustafs in Sweden. S/N is 26,xxx range indicating this rifle was produced near the end of production. This rifle also appears to have the upgrades that the AG m/42B versions would have we see a knob on the rear sight and a rubber case deflector. The bolt carrier also has electro pencil serial number marking on it. The bore was near a 5/5 we noted a nice bright and shiny bore with only minor fouling from shooting. The rifling is nice and sharp throughout the barrel. The bluing finish is in excellent condition and is 95% or more intact. The stock is also in great shape and was likely re-arsenaled when this rifle was upgraded in Sweden. This rifle does include an original Swedish sling.

19 Crown over C 45 – Produced in 1945 by Carl Gustaffs

B – rear sight

bB – Dust cover

SS – Right hand side receiver

Crowns – Swedish proof marks

B – Receiver end of serial number indicating upgrade

Serial numbers, Receiver, butt plate are matching the bolt carrier has a matching electro pencil number over a different number. Likely a change made when the gun was upgraded to B variant.

CAI M/42 6.5×55 Swede – Import Mark – Small under the front barrel