CG63 Swedish Mauser Project

The Rifle


Swedish Mauser CG63 built by Mauser on an Oberndorf am Neckar receiver dated 1900

The rifle is my poor man's version of the the CG63 that I put together. Original CG63s were built at the Carl Gustav Arsenal in Sweden as highly accurate target rifles using heavy barrels, diopter sights, target stocks and tuned triggers.

From The Swedish Mauser Rifles by Poyer, "When Sweden formalized its rules for 300 meter military-civilian matches, a new rifle was developed for competitors, the CG63 through the Frivilliga skytter relsen."

"At the Carl Gustaf factory, a new, heavy, non-stepped barrel was attached to an m/96 or m/38 receiver. The trigger assembly was adjusted and smoothed to match quality. A new beech Monte-Carlo-style stock with identical, if shallow cheek pieces, on either side for right- or left-handed shooters, a pistol grip and a short fore end and hand guard that allowed the barrel to float, were developed. Match quality adjustable micrometer aperture rear sights from several Swedish manufacturers were installed, as well as the American-made Lyman and Redfield adjustable rear sights, although these latter appear to have been added by the owners. Hooded front sights with interchangeable inserts were added to the new barrel. The distinctive vertical thumb piece was removed from the bolt to increase lock time. The rifle, which averaged 4.6 kg (10.14 lbs), was available in both 6.5 x 55 mm, 7.62 x 51 mm NATO and .22 rimfire calibers. The military match versions were designated m/6 in 6.5 x 55 mm and the m/7 in 7.62 x 51 NATO. The m/6 military version was equipped with a short cleaning rod beneath the barrel."

Having a barreled receiver (with a buggered rear sight, drilled and tapped receiver but very excellent barrel) of a Swedish Mauser M96, Oberndorf am Neckar 1900, I only needed to track down a few parts to complete the rifle. I found a vintage Hellqvist rear diopter sight and a front globe sight. I also found an authentic CG63 beech stock complete with a Norma shooting sticker. Finally, I obtained a like new bolt.

I had to remove the rear sight band assembly with a blow torch as they are held on with a set screw and lead or tin solder. I removed the set screw, heated the assembly gently with a propane torch just enough to melt the solder. Then a tapped it off with a wood block. I also had to re-bed the receiver and polish the trigger.

Of course, this is NOT a real CG63. It does not have the heavier barrel nor does it have the CG63 bolt with shorter firing pin and removed vertical thumb piece. And it wasn't made at Carl Gustav.

Bullet Load Development

Disclaimer: Because I have no control over individual loading practices and/or components used, no responsibility is implied or expressed by me in the use of this data. The information is to be used at the sole discretion of the user.

Having completed the rifle, I set out to develop a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser match load. I developed 4 test loads keeping the bullet, case, primer, case length and overall cartridge length constant while incrementing the powder charge.

• Bullet - Nosler 140 grain BTHP Custom Competitions
• Powder - Reloder 22
• Case - PMC
• Primer - CCI 200 Large Rifle
• Case Length - 2.164"
  
• Overall Cartridge Length - 3.125"

I developed 4 loads with different powder charges and shot 4 groups of 5 bullets for each load and took the mean and standard deviation of each group's size. Here are the results.

Group 1 - 46.5 grains - 2.5997"
Group 2 - 47.0 grains - 2.1970"
Group 3 - 47.5 grains - 2.5140"
Group 4 - 48.0 grains - 1.8490"



At 100 Yards Prone / Sling

At 100 yards, my best group was within Group 4 using 48.0 grains of Reloder 22 on a standard MR-31 used to simulate 600 yards at a 100 yard course.


5-Shot Group (1.160") at 100 Yards Prone / Sling using MR-31 Target

Given the group size results, I focused on the Group 4 load. This is the maximum load advised by Speer using a 140 grain bullet. But the brass showed no pressure signs - no blown cases, no case separations, primers are flat.

Note: I chose Group 4 based upon it's mean group size only. There is no statistical difference between the means or variance of the 4 groups.

The chronograph results gave the following data. The chronograph was set at 10 feet from the muzzle and the temperature reading was 54 degrees.

• Shot 1 - 2759 fps
• Shot 2 - 2782 fps
• Shot 3 - 2707 fps
• Shot 4 - 2753 fps
• Shot 5 - 2753 fps

• Mean - 2751 fps
• Std Dev - 27.24
  

At 200 Yards Prone / Sling

Having chosen my load, 48.0 grains of Reloder 22 and a 140 grain Nosler BTHP on top, I decided to test the load at 200 yards. The results were good having "cleaned" the SR-C target for 5 shots, prone/sling, slow-fire.


5-Shot Group (4.50") at 200 Yards Prone / Sling using SR-C Target

Overall, I am pleased with the load I've developed. It gives me the +2700 fps muzzle velocity I was looking for without the pressure signs as well as the accuracy I needed. I will need to retest the muzzle velocity during warmer temperatures consistent with the match season.

Miguel Malvar - 2nd President of the Philippines?

Interesting conjecture, but is it true that General Miguel Malvar was the 2nd Philippine president?

Philippine history books taught Filipinos that Manuel L. Quezon was the 2nd president during the Commonwealth of the Philippines (political designation of the Philippines from 1935 to 1946 when the country was a commonwealth with the United States).

And everyone knows that there was no successor to the 1st Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, when his term ended when he pledged allegiance to the United States after his capture at Palanan, Isabela, right?

Well, read on. Let me know what you think.

----------

Revisiting the Philippine-American War
By Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas

As the nation prepares to celebrate another holiday in honor of Andres Bonifacio on November 30, I would like to revisit some details of the Philippine-American War that involved my maternal grandfather, General Miguel Malvar. Since my mother, Isabel Malvar Villegas, is still living and is in good health at the age of 99, General Malvar is the only national hero with a surviving child. We, his descendants, should continue our efforts to set the historical records straight about his role in the Philippine-American War.

In the most complete biography about my grandfather, written by UP historians Doroteo Abaya and Bernard Karganilla, we read (pp. 108 to 109) that upon the death of Andres Bonifacio and the assumption of the presidency by Emilio Aguinaldo, a series of events unfolded which led to General Malvar’s becoming the Second President of the Philippines and Chief of Staff. Upon Aguinaldo’s capture in Palanan, Isabela, by the Americans on March 23, 1901, a leadership vacuum was created but only temporarily. Based on the succession decrees that Aguinaldo himself issued, General Malvar would take the presidency of the republic: "The June 27, 1900 decree specifically designated General Trias to succeed Aguinaldo in the event of his capture, death, or whatever form of incapacity to perform the function of office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Philippine Republic and its Army. General Malvar became a contender to Aguinaldo’s post when General Trias surrendered. Malvar was Trias’ second-in-command. Thus, by virtue of Aguinaldo’s succession decrees of February 16, 1899; November 13, 1899; and June 27, 1900, General Malvar, with Trias’ surrender, became the logical successor to Aguinaldo’s post and to the leadership of the Filipino struggle against the Americans."

Likewise, the Filipino Revolutionary committee (or Hong Kong Junta) officially confirmed Malvar’s assumption of Aguinaldo’s post. This was in consonance with a provision of Aguinaldo’s June 27, 1900, decree where it vested the Hong Kong Junta with the authority to assume Aguinaldo’s post during the interregnum following his possible death or captivity while looking for a successor. It was this authority that the Hong Kong Junta invoked when it confirmed Malvar as Aguinaldo’s successor.

Recently, a relative of mine, Dr. Potenciano Malvar, got hold of an original letter written by my grandfather to General Arcadio Maxilom, one of the generals fighting the Americans in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Written in Spanish, the letter clearly indicated that General Malvar was acting as the Commander-in-Chief after the capture of General Aguinaldo. Let me translate the letter into English:

"My distinguished lord and companion: The trials that have fallen on us during our campaign have been such that your official and private correspondences addressed to our honorable President and Chief of Staff General Aguinaldo, whose whereabouts are unknown as he is hiding from our enemy, have come into my possession. I have opened these letters so that I can answer you in the name of our government.

"Upon learning of your most appropriate actions, I am highly gratified by your policies and the decisions you have made to reestablish order in your area of jurisdiction. I applaud your activity for the good impression that I have obtained in reading the brilliant account of your operations. For this reason, it is with great pride that we manifest the confidence that our country has in those children of hers who have suffered so much as slaves of duty and discipline. For you, as worthy Chief, our heartiest congratulations.

"For the 20th of July following the holding of the General Assembly, my headquarters have appointed the Generals. On my part, I assure you that on that same day you will receive the corresponding title. If you are not able to attend the Assembly, we shall send the appointment through the officers who will come to represent you and all the others in your territory.

"I am sending you enclosed my own manifesto and a list of the guidelines and instructions which have been issued up to now for general knowledge and fulfillment. I expect that through said representatives of yours, I can be apprised of everything that has occurred in the provinces of your Islands, both as regards civil as well as military affairs.

"I request you to send to their respective addresses the enclosed documents. Receive the appointments of those in the staff that you have formalized which will be ratified by the documents when they do arrive."

"Here in Luzon, there are frequent combats with American military detachments which have helped us increase the number of guns in our possession. For this reason, we have to discredit the many erroneous reports that come from the newspapers in Manila taken generally from sources that are against us or from the offices of the occupying American forces.

"Other matters can be recounted to you verbally by the bearer of this note.

"I take advantage of this opportunity to greet all of you and to send you my most cordial embrace. I offer myself to you as your unconditional friend, comrade and servant."

Signed: Miguel Malvar, 14 May 1901

"P.S, I ask my General to disseminate the manifesto and guidelines herewith contained to the Islands and provinces of Jolo, Cotabato, Iligan, Puerto Princesa, Mindanao, Calamianes, Paragua, Zamboanga, Davao, and others by means of exact copies of these documents, translating them into the languages of the localities for general knowledge and compliance."

Given this authenticated document in the handwriting of my grandfather, I have no doubts that General Miguel Malvar was indeed the Second President of the Philippine Republic. For comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.

---------

Lawmaker: History wrong on Gen. Malvar
Manila Times
2 January 2008 | 12:10 AM

By Maricel V. Cruz, Reporter

For a Southern Tagalog lawmaker, history is wrong in naming Manuel L. Quezon as the second President of the Philippine Republic serving after Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

In House Bill 2594, Rep. Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro is pushing to declare General Miguel Malvara prominent revolutionary heroas the second Philippine President in an effort to rectify his place in the succession of the countrys heads of state.

Historical records validate Malvars ascension to the presidency, Valencia said.

General Malvar took over the revolutionary government after General Emilio Aguinaldo, first President of the Republic, was captured on March 23, 1901, and [was] exiled in Hong Kong by the American colonial governmentsince he was next in command, the Mindoro congressman explained.

The Philippine revolutionary junta legitimized Malvars ascendancy to the position, Valencia said, citing historical accounts.

He added that the distinguished Filipino historian, Teodoro Agoncillo, had written that Malvar took over the leadership of the Filipino government, or what remained of it, and harassed the Americans by his guerilla tactics. Malvar served as President of the revolutionary government from the time of Aguinaldos capture on March 23, 1901, to April 16, 1902, historical records show.

The book Army of First Philippine Republic by Professor Luis Camara Dery of the De La Salle Universitys History Department gives further credence to Malvars rightful place in history, Valencia said.

He added that Malvars distinguished achievements and indispensable contributions need no further enumeration, but it is necessary for surviving generations to preserve his legacies and correct history.

"Colonial Mentality" Affects Fil-Am Student Performance

I read an interesting article the other day that stated that the more Americanized Filipino students become in the U.S., the worse they tend to perform in school.

A study was conducted in various cities across the U.S. and it found that in some cities where there have been three to four generations or more of Filipino immigrants, some one-third of Filipino students are failing, while in cities where the Filipino influx is newer, they’re doing well. In other words, the more Americanized we become, the less well our students do.

One of the contributors, the study cited, was that families in the U.S. often find that making ends meet economically hampered their participation in their children’s school activities.

Others included trends amongst Fil-Am youth to allow Social pressures such as drugs, promiscuity, gang affiliations and other social ills to encroach upon their academic performance

The study cited the need for role models and a better self-image to combat the “colonial mentality” still persisting amongst Filipino adults and youth in the U.S. The study also found parents are very involved at the elementary school level, but in high school, that involvement falls crediting this to how family economics are causing Fil-Am students to do less well than they probably could do.

The key takeaway is for Fil-Am parents to become more involved in their children’s academic lives as well as in their respective communities in order to push for educational assistance.

Overall the NaFFAA report recommended:

(1.) the need to dis-aggregate data on the FilAm students from those of other Asians collectively,

(2.) the hiring of more Filipino administrators, teachers and counseling staff to deal appropriately with FilAm cultural issues,

(3.) revising and infusing the existing curriculum with Filipino culture, history and experiential content as well including these features in the training of other educators,

(4.) the increased involvement of the entire Filipino community and FilAm parents particularly in the educational system, and

(5.) encouraging the involvement of Filipino parents in school activities and programs.

I think that another bullet is warranted here as well. That is, the need for families to build children's self-esteem through identity by talking about our rich family histories, where we come from and our Filipino culture. Read more...

To read more about the study, Read here...