Husqvarna 246 with Recoiling Sling

[Fallschirmjaeger]

I recently purchased this Husqvarna 246. It's one of the rarer Husqvarna rifles and it's a 9.3x62. The odd thing about this rifle is the addition of a Bretelle Automatique mechanism in the stock similar to the Manufrance made shotguns. It appears that the the original sling swivel hole was filled, so I doubt this stock was a custom job and I'd guess by the checkering style and pattern the stock was an original factory Husqvarna stock. I just wondered if anyone had any insight. I'm sure it was just a gunsmith addition someone wanted, but it's something you don't see every day on a rifle. The gun came out of Sweden.

 

[Denvir Tire]

So jealous

 

[sestoppelman]

You mean it pulls the sling back into the stock like a car seat belt? Auto retract?

 

[Hammergun]

That's a nice feature. Love the caliber and Husky rifles are great.

 

[Fallschirmjaeger]

You mean it pulls the sling back into the stock like a car seat belt? Auto retract?

Yes sir... You just detach it from the forward mounted sling loop and it coils back into the stock.

 

[sestoppelman]

Pretty slick!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hello Fallschirmjaeger,

Love your rifle!!!!! This specific model is one of my dream rifles, indeed!! Anusually nice wood and the added plus of that sling feature!!
Have you fired the gun?
A question: how many rounds in the magazine box?
Congrats!

CF

 

[Fallschirmjaeger]

Per our PM Clodo, 4 in the magazine...

 

[Red Leg]

As you note, that style French sling is fairly common on Darne and Manufrance shotguns. I am not an expert, but with a FN 98 action it would be pre-1953. The checkering is standard even if the wood is exceptional. I too would vote for the sling being a later addition. Whatever the date and provenance of the sling, it is the nicest 246 that have ever seen.

I have a slim little pre-war German 9.3 of about the same dimensions. From the bench, you will notice when the sear trips.

 

[Fallschirmjaeger]

You're right Red Leg, the model 246 was produced by Husqvarna in 1939, 1940, and 1941. Later models of Husqvarna 98s employed the FN commercial 98 action. The model 146 (9.3x57), the 246 (9.3x62), and I believe some versions of the model 640 employed the surplus FN military style actions with the stripper clip cut. My 246 has a Belgian proofmark on the receiver below the wood line.