I'm certainly not an expert but recently sold a similar original one and am currently building another one into a custom. There are at least 2 and I believe 3 versions of the 1894, all of them are carbines with the short 17.5" barrel but at least one of them is NOT intended to take a bayonet. I do know that there are some fakes out there, the buyer of my rifle was very inquisitive about the specific exact furniture such as spring retainers and similar. I think there's some sort of collector book available but don't have details. BTW I also have a relative rarity, an 1896 long infantry rifle dated 1895 on the receiver ring! It's one that apparently was rebuilt into a rifle from a carbine and used by the Finns, has the SA proof on the receiver ring and the 3 crowns burnt into the wood. All of the first contract 1894s were carbines made by Mauser at Oberndorf and were dated 1895, they are currently commanding somewhat of a premium price since they are pre-1898. Many of the 1894 carbines will be found with a 1/2" extension silver-soldered or brazed to the end of their barrels, to make them legal under the old 18" law. IMO these early Oberndorf Swedes are the cream of the crop.
Regards, Joe
