There, I said it. Now on that note, I also know when not to pass up on a great deal. With this in mind, let the gun story commence.
While looking at local gun auctions I came across one advertising both a “Russian Mauser 91/30” and a “Russian Mosin Nagant M91”. There were no close ups of the rifles individually but the photos did show one clearly bubba varnished stock of an M91/30. Despite this less than hopeful sight, I decided to take the hour drive, if only to see what the M91 proved to be.
Upon arriving and registering, I made my way to look at the rifles. Right off the bat I find the M91/30. It was an “SA” marked 1939 Izhevsk. And every part of the rifle was Izhevsk and original matching. Even the stock had the remains of an Izhevsk cartouche. I say “remains” because the stock itself had a horrible poly coating on it. Even parts of the metal (Barrel bands, ect) were coated in this.
Disappointed, I walked to the table holding the rest of the military rifles in what I would probably refer to as “Bubba’s Graveyard”. All manner of Mauser style rifles lay on this table, chopped up and deformed into something barely recognizable as a former military rifle. Among the worst casualties was a Spanish Civil War G98 with a wonderful “MP8” cartouche…missing the entire front portion of the stock, and a K98A that was completely matching….minus the barrel bands and front portion of the stock. There were at least 4 or 5 Peruvian Mausers in various states of sporterization.
But alone in this group, standing tall, was a Finned 1908 Izhevsk M91. The rifle was in wonderful, used condition. Housed in a Russian stock with Finnish wire hangers, it was missing only the handguard which, based on the wear on the top of the barrel, had been gone for some time. A Finned rear sight and “SA” and “D” markings finished off the rifle. The bore seemed dark, but I could see the lands and grooves very well. I knew I had to save the rifle.
Four hours later the auction finally reached the batch of military rifles. The first few bubbaed rifles went for very cheap prices, but I still assumed someone would up the price of the M91. The bidding started at $200.
No bids.
$100.
No bids.
$75.
No bids.
$35.
My hand goes up. And for a good 20 seconds (An eternity in auction time) no one bid. Right before the auctioneer was about to end the bidding, another fellow raised his hand, and the bid, another $5. I simply kept my hand raised high and waited for him to give up, which took until the $90 mark. I then became the owner of my first Finned M91 rifle.
I don’t have any good pictures tonight, but I’ll get some tomorrow, along with more info. Until then, here is evidence that I do indeed have the rifle in hand. I guess everyone is due for a good deal at some point in their collecting lives, haha!
