So that's what was in the box! Looks good, and it'll be a lot nicer once you get all that cosmoline off! What year was yours made?
That's about as cheap as you can get one w/o a C&R License.
It looks good. If it has a triangle with an arrow it's an Ishevsk or "izzy", if it has a star with arrow it's a Tula (more collectable).
The 44's and other war years saw a lot of action.
If the stock or receiver has a square with a diagonal line it's been refurbished. check the crown of the bore with a flash light, if it has a step in it it's been counterbored (not a bad thing).
Lots of info here: 7.62x54r.net
Be prepared for some "Solid" recoil, especially with the 200 grain ammo.
I have 5 mosins
1 - 1933 91/30
1 - 1946 M44
3 - 1943 M38's
They are great rifles and lots of fun to shoot.
Mine is a 1944 Izzy also. Perhaps ours are brothers!!
Weird reversed N P5261
Just a bit of trivia, that "weird backwards N" is pronounced "ee" and a Cyrillic "P" is pronounced like our "R".
I didn't study Russian, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I took an interest in the Russian alphabet a while back after watching "The Hunt for Red October".
And just to stay a little on topic, I'm kinda interested in getting a Mosin myself. Karl, how do the ones at AIM Surplus look? I have a C&R, so can order, but I just have this odd feeling that barring SHTF, it would likely never really get much use. Are the M38s or the 91/30s better on recoil than the M44s?
Blessings,
B
It's definitely an Ishevsk. The receiver/barrel has been refurbished, but the bolt, butt, and receiver serial numbers all match. I do not believe it was counterbored. That said, it appears to be in great condition. The wood is in good shape with no signification scoring or abrasions. Some of the shellac on the buttstock is worn, but it still appears to be protecting the wood. The action is smooth and there is no evidence of rust. The bolt is clean and undamaged.
I don't claim to be an expert, but from what I can tell, it's in pretty decent shape and I'm pleased with the price I paid. I'm not overly concerned with the collectability. After all, I didn't buy it to hang on a wall, but the history fascinates me.
Would you happen to know a competent gunsmith in the area that can inspect it? I want to get the headspace checked (and other areas that I am not competent to evaluate) before I do anything with it.
The 44's are nice you can flip out the bayonet and roast hotdogs while you shoot!