This is a 1928 dated Tula Dragoon that was later updated to the M91/30 configuration. This rifle sports matching bolt, buttplate, receiver, and magazine. It's also not import stamped, so this one's been in the US for a while. The rifle's obviously been through a refurb at some point (has the box-slash stamp on the receiver), so the metal finish is pretty outstanding. The bore is dark, but the rifling is still pretty pronounced. The stock is pretty beat up and most of the original shellac finish is missing. The stock has two features I've not yet encountered (so I don't know how rare/common they are) -- the number "9305" is carved or electropenciled three times along the barrel channel and there's a metal tag stamped with the number "52" nailed to the underside.

been in the US for a while. The rifle's obviously been through a refurb at some point (has the box-slash stamp on the receiver), so the metal finish is pretty outstanding. The bore is dark, but the rifling is still pretty pronounced. The stock is pretty beat up and most of the original shellac finish is missing. The stock has two features I've not yet encountered (so I don't know how rare/common they are) -- the number "9305" is carved or electropenciled three times along the barrel channel and there's a metal tag stamped with the number "52" nailed to the underside.

This is a pretty standard Soviet M91/30 that was produced by the Izhevsk arsenal in 1942. It's an earlier Century import (small stamp under the barrel), so it's a bit less NIB looking than some of the more recent imports. The receiver and buttplate are matching, while the magazine floorplate has been lined out an E/P'd to match; the bolt S/N does not match. I don't see the obvious refurb marks anywhere on the stock or barrel, but it's pretty obvious this one was reworked by the Soviets - the magazine looks pretty new (hardly any wear), the trigger and some of the other internal parts look like they were made yesterday, and there's a "CFR 71" stamp on the right side of the stock. At this point I'm not sure what CFR stands for, but I'm willing to bet "71" indicates a rework in 1971.

the more recent imports. The receiver and buttplate are matching, while the magazine floorplate has been lined out an E/P'd to match; the bolt S/N does not match. I don't see the obvious refurb marks anywhere on the stock or barrel, but it's pretty obvious this one was reworked by the Soviets - the magazine looks pretty new (hardly any wear), the trigger and some of the other internal parts look like they were made yesterday, and there's a "CFR 71" stamp on the right side of the stock. At this point I'm not sure what CFR stands for, but I'm willing to bet "71" indicates a rework in 1971.

The M44 was widely manufactured and issued by most of the Eastern Bloc nations. The Polish M44 is reputed to be one of the finest M44s made. This one was made at the Radom plant in 1952. It's definitely seen some use!

definitely seen some use!

This is a Russian Mosin Nagant M91 manufactured by the Tula arsenal in 1915. Between 1913-1917, the official name of the Tula arsenal was "The Imperial Tula Arsenal of Peter the Great" and this was stamped on the receiver of M91s made at this factory during those years. This particular rifle has definitely seen some better days (most of the bluing is gone, the wood is pretty rough, and the bore is quite dark), but it's still a great addition to the ol' collection. Caliber 7.62x54R.

stamped on the receiver of M91s made at this factory during those years. This particular rifle has definitely seen some better days (most of the bluing is gone, the wood is pretty rough, and the bore is quite dark), but it's still a great addition to the ol' collection. Caliber 7.62x54R.

This Mosin-Nagant Model 1891 was manufactured by the Sestroryetsk arsenal in 1917. Cal. 7.62x54R. This rifle was apparently refinished by an arsenal at some point -- note the odd splice on the forestock and the bluing doesn't seem to be worn very much at all. The bore on this one has seen some use, but the lands and grooves are still sharp and there's a bit of shine left as well. Definitely a nice example of an M91 from one of the lesser-encountered pre-Soviet arsenals.

forestock and the bluing doesn't seem to be worn very much at all. The bore on this one has seen some use, but the lands and grooves are still sharp and there's a bit of shine left as well. Definitely a nice example of an M91 from one of the lesser-encountered pre-Soviet arsenals.

This is a 1946 Izhevsk M44 Mosin-Nagant carbine. It's a handy little rifle, complete with attached side-folding pig sticker.

This is a 1942 Izhevsk-manufactured Model 91/30, caliber 7.62x54R. There's nothing terribly spectacular or otherwise uncommon about this rifle. It was refurbed by the Russians (probably recently -- in order to make some quick cash on the American collector market), was one of literally millions and millions of rifles made, and is pretty common at this time... refurbed 91/30s like this can be picked up nearly anywhere for right around $70. It's still a handy little rifle, though, and it definitely deserves a place in any collection.

in order to make some quick cash on the American collector market), was one of literally millions and millions of rifles made, and is pretty common at this time... refurbed 91/30s like this can be picked up nearly anywhere for right around $70. It's still a handy little rifle, though, and it definitely deserves a place in any collection.

This is a 1943 Izhevsk M91/30 wearing a rather nice laminated stock. The receiver actually appears to match the barrel (same date and manufacturer anyhow) and the bore is pristine, so I'm not sure if it was ever issued... or at least not used a whole lot before being refurbed. It's got the gawdawful Century import stamp, but is otherwise nearly flawless.

it was ever issued... or at least not used a whole lot before being refurbed. It's got the gawdawful Century import stamp, but is otherwise nearly flawless.

This is a 1942 Izhevsk Mosin Nagant M91/30 sniper rifle, recently acquired from Inter Ordnance (December '03). There's been some controversy surrounding these rifles... nobody seems to know whether they're authentic Soviet (or former Soviet satellite nation) issued snipers or if they were recently slapped together by some enterprising Eastern Europeans trying to make a quick buck on the American collectors market. I'm pleading ignorance on this one... I simply don't know enough about the Soviet sniper rifles to be able to say one way or another. Still, at the price of purchase from IO, it's not a bad deal even if this rifle is a reproduction. If it is an authentic sniper rifle, then methinks I got a killer deal on it.

they're authentic Soviet (or former Soviet satellite nation) issued snipers or if they were recently slapped together by some enterprising Eastern Europeans trying to make a quick buck on the American collectors market. I'm pleading ignorance on this one... I simply don't know enough about the Soviet sniper rifles to be able to say one way or another. Still, at the price of purchase from IO, it's not a bad deal even if this rifle is a reproduction. If it is an authentic sniper rifle, then methinks I got a killer deal on it.

This handy little carbine was originally built as a 1943 Tula 91/30 rifle, but was later shortened by the Soviets to make a rifle that's rather similar to the M38/M44 family of carbines. Note the 91/30 rear site has been altered (goes out to 1000 meters, as opposed to the 91/30 sight which originally went to 2000 meters), but not removed.

91/30 rear site has been altered (goes out to 1000 meters, as opposed to the 91/30 sight which originally went to 2000 meters), but not removed.