Make: Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori, Sweden

Model: M1867/89

Serial Number: 712

Year of Manufacture: 1871, 1895 Rework date.

Caliber: 8x58mmR Danish

Action Type: Single shot rolling block rifle with extractor.

Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked with a crown over “C” and, “1871. The left side of the receiver is marked, “712”. The top of the barrel is marked with a crown over “C” and, “J.B G.M.”. All serialized parts are matching.

Barrel Length: 33”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade set into a serrated ramped base. The rear sight is a 2-position flip-up sights dovetailed to a barrel mounted base.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The sporterized stock is a two piece wood set with a barrel mounted sling loop, finger grooves, through bolt, straight wrist, straight comb, sling loop, and semi-crescent buttplate. The stock disk has been removed and the cutout filled in. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. There is a crack at the rear sling loop. There are small chips throughput. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as an antique. This stock set is refinished.

Type of Finish: Case Color, Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling well sharp. There is little to no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10 for an antique.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but also to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collector’s firearms.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The barrel has only light wear marks and thinning throughout. The receiver retains about 20% of its case color. The action has light wear with thick grease throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This Swedish Carl Gustafs M1867/89, chambered in 8x58mmR Danish, is a remarkable example of 19th-century Scandinavian military firearm evolution, blending robust design, precision manufacturing, and extended service life. Originally manufactured in 1871 at the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori, this rifle began life as a Model 1867 rolling block, a design inspired by Remington and adopted widely across Europe for its simple, strong, and reliable action. In 1895, the rifle was arsenal reworked to the M1867/89 pattern, rebarreled and rechambered for the smokeless 8x58mmR Danish cartridge, significantly increasing its performance and prolonging its military relevance well into the early 20th century. This particular example, though sporterized, retains matching serial numbers throughout. This rifle’s 33-inch barrel provides excellent ballistic performance, especially in conjunction with the powerful 8x58mmR cartridge. While the stock has been sporterized and refinished—evident in the removal and fill-in of the stock disk and a crack near the rear sling loop—it remains structurally sound and features classic characteristics like finger grooves, a through bolt, and semi-crescent steel buttplate. The metal finish retains about 70% of its bluing, and the receiver still shows traces of case coloring, a rare find on a rifle of this age. Most impressively, the bore is exceptionally well-preserved, bright with sharp rifling and little to no erosion, which is uncommon for a black powder-era antique. The mechanics are sound, and the action remains crisp and functional, aided by the simplicity and durability of the rolling block design.

For collectors, black powder cartridge enthusiasts, or fans of Scandinavian military arms, this Carl Gustafs M1867/89 represents a superb piece of transitional firearms history. It showcases the period when militaries sought to modernize existing platforms to smokeless powder standards, rather than adopt entirely new systems. The fact that this rifle remains in such strong mechanical and cosmetic condition, with a near-pristine bore and matching serialized parts, makes it a valuable and highly shootable antique. Whether for display, historical study, or careful range use, this is an excellent example of Swedish craftsmanship and military ingenuity from the black powder era into the smokeless age.