My newly aquired 1909 Russian M91

[pdqfast]

I have my first Mosin Nagant and have learned a little about it, but I'm confused about a few things. So far it appears to be a 1909 Russian M91 in the 9th configuration, but has the sling slot with a short leather strap through it at the butt while having the swivel type at the barrel end. The serial # on the bolt matches the one on the barrel and is not on either the butt plate or magazine door. Also I have not been able to match a few of the marking on the barrel/receiver. The first is on the left side nearest to the rear sight or at the top of the stamp area. It looks like a pair of stick figure legs with a circle around them. The second is on the right side nearest the rear sight or at the top of the stamp area. It appears to be an H or K with a circle around it. The third is at the top of the right panel of the hex receiver. It looks to be YT. The rest seems to be pretty clear, but I hope someone can clear up these few things. I have pics on my pc, but i don't see a way to attach them here.

Thank you in advance for your help.

pdqfast

[pdqfast]

I forgot to tell you its an Izhevsk.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Sounds like a nice find, however pics would help ID the markings. Keep in mind that most of the small markings on these are unknown, the Russians haven't been cooperative in this area.

[bunkysdad]

Check through our tutorial and see how to post your pictures. If you have them on your computer the hard part is done. Seriously without them we are in the dark. It sounds like a good rifle and everyone here will want to see it.

[Three_Dogs]

Yes, Pictures are required!

[pdqfast]

So far this is all I've managed to accomplish. I uploaded the images, but I get a message that says "Cannot determine the image size" when I try to attach it. I work on it. Until then you can use the links if you like.

gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=418
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=417
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=414
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=406
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=413
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=133&image_id=411

[Three_Dogs]

Very Nice Rifle!

[pdqfast]

Thanks, it was given to me by my father. Once I get it checked out and cleaned, I'll take it to the range.

[redspoon]

Oh yea that's one very nice finn capture M91 your Dad passed on to you. Have you taken it down to check the tang date? It's on
the underside at the rear end of the receiver. Order yourself a Okie headspace field gauge, and check your head-space before firing, unless your Dad
had previously shot it without any problems.

My finn tikka M91 also came with the same sling setup, dog collar in the rear and a finn hanger at the front.

[pdqfast]

Have not taken it down yet, but plan to soon. I just found two of the markings in question. The stick legs as I called them is a "provision black powder proof". The K appears to be a "point of aim proof". Still Have not found the YT.

[desertgunner]

Welcome to the forum, you lucky ..... ,
you got yourself quite a gun there

To my limited knowledge, here my take:
Ishevsk 1909 Hex Dragoon (Dragoon visor, front blade)
Finnish capture, but no visible conversion, maybe the stock? (SA boxed stamp on receiver)
Very nice, clear markings. (and I have not seen all pics, yet)

Very , very nice Finn-captured Dragoon.
You can be proud to own it.

[racerguy00]

Not a dragoon, but a full length m91 infantry rifle. Very nice! Welcome and thanks for the pictures.

[desertgunner]

Now we know one more thing:
This rifle got imported by CAI before the Gun Control Act (1996?) required Importers to serialize and mark their Imports.
Which also means that your dad bought it before or shortly after that happened.
Really, a very nice piece of history.
One more thing: Once you have dismantled her, not only check the underside of barrel and receiver, but also check the wood for any additional marks, beware of any shims on both fastening bolts.
Have fun with our Mosinitis, here, you already seem to be in stage 2 of the madness....
As to the dragoon, what is the length of the barrel? I could not figure it out from the photos available.....

[desdem12]

SWEEEET a finned M91. That is a really nice piece.

[desdem12]

Ya it is definately a finnish rework of a M91 and not a dragoon. SA in a box is the finnish army mark and also it has the finnish D mark on it which means they opened the throat of the chamber for the bigger bullet. It also has a finn sling hanger in the front. A very nice rifle And i am jealous

[pdqfast]

Sorry, Had to leave for a while. The barrel is 31.5" and over all is about 51". I appreciate all the great comments and help. I can't wait to shoot it. Can anyone tell me anything about the expected accuracy and distance? How about ruff idea of value?

[pdqfast]

Also, there is a not so faint round discolored area about the size of a pennyon the right side of the butt. Its about 2.5" back from the sling slot and centered up and down. No markings or lettering, but like something was affixed to it somehow.

[desdem12]

It depends on the barrel condition as far as shooting. If it has a decent barrel and the crown is good it is capable of 2" groups, depending on shooter too. It likely will shoot very well as it has had finn modifications and probly has shims in it to float the barrel. The worth of it is a guess but i would put it around $250 and up. Probly on the up part of that. If you are selling i am sure i would buy it.
The spot for the penny is where a unit disk was. There is a M24 i think that has a unit disk still on it so if you look you will see what it is. It was just a copper or steel disc with numbers on it. If you have any other questions just ask away.

[pdqfast]

I really appreciate all the information. You folks have given me more than I had imagined. The only unanswered question is what the YT mark on the receivers hex panel is. As for the barrel and receiver, on the outside it has what I would consider just very light pitting. The blueing appears to be perfect from one end to the other, with the very end of the barrel worn shiny, not scratched or anything. I believe it will clean up nicely. The interior of the receiver/chamber appears to have a brown grease coating in it. My father said it had something done to it for storing. The inside of the barrel has a thin coat of oil or grime, but even so it looks smooth and I can see the grooves clearly. I guess my next questions would regard the care I should take in preparing it for use, or whether I should leave it as is. For instance, When disassembled, can the wood finish be restored or repaired without decreasing the value? As to selling it, I'm not sure yet. Depends on whether I can use it as a shooter or not I guess. Again, thanks for all your help.

pdqfast

[desdem12]

If you plan to shoot it i would Take it down and inspect it thouroghly. You will need to clean allt he grease and brown stuff from the inside of the barrel and the chamber and also the bolt. These are easy to take down. First there is the barrel bands. These turn clockwise to loosen and the screw stays in it. Becareful not to break the screws. Loosen enough to slide off and then take off the hand guard. Next are the 2 action screws. Take those out and watch out for shims under the barrel and reciever. MAke sure not to loose any and they need to go back like they were. Then inspect and clean if neccessary the interupter and ejector. Sometimes those need cleaning. If there is grease on the outside it is upto you if you want to clean it off. After inspection and cleaning check headspace. Then shoot away it should shoot great if the rifling is not worn down at the muzzle from long timeago cleaning. Not sure about the YT will go back and look. There are detailed fotos and explanations of takedown in the information at the top of the forums, or Youtube.