I had some very good deals in retrospect, and still have them. Haven’t seen a “good deal” in 15 or so years.
Wish I had an 03A3, but I do have a very nice Swede 38 I got for $85 some years ago. Bank vaults are not better made.
Yes those Swedish Mausers are fine. I once had my neighbor who was a dealer, order six of them. I was surprised that one, I think it was stamped 1897, was made in Oberndorf and had the Mauser banner. Until then I didn’t know any were made outside Sweden.
For some reason the Swedish Mausers shoot more accurately than any other of the old rifles.
The most beautifully made rifle I have ever owned was a 1909 Argentine Mauser made by DWM. I bought it unfired with the original test target. Walter Craig in Selma, Al. got in a bunch of them. When it arrived both the dealer and I were amazed by the quality.