The 1600 series (HVA) action which the Husqvarna 1640 is built on is essentially a small-ring Mauser 98 with a few small improvements. In 1953 they unveiled their 1600 series action and began building rifles on it. This lead to the internal development of an improved M98 action at Husqvarna. These were quality firearms, but Husqvarna didn’t like relying on one of their fiercest competitors for such a key component. In 1939 Husqvarna began manufacturing Mauser 98’s off of actions they purchased from the Belgian firm FN Herstal. ![]() Although not quite as stout of an action as the M98, the Mauser 96 was strong enough for the Swedish military cartridge of the day, the 6.5×55 Swede. The Mauser 96 is a slimmer, cock-on-close precursor to the famous Mauser 98. During the first half of the 20th century they focused on making Mauser 96 based rifles. Long before they were making chainsaws and lawnmowers Husqvarna was manufacturing firearms. The Husqvarna 1640 is a vestige of this bygone era, and today we look at it’s practicality in the 21st century. ![]() Back then a hunting rifle was steel, a bullet was lead, and scouting meant miles on the ground. ![]() In fact, many consider the 1950’s the golden age of the hunting rifle. There is and will always be a certain panache to blued steel and hardwood. ![]() As much as we can all appreciate these new materials, sometimes older tools just have more soul. In a world of space age polymers, carbon fiber, and CNC mills everything is getting lighter and more efficient.
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