Bought 1943 Izhevsk PU ex-Sniper!

[ZakBradshaw]

I just bought an awesome 1943 Izhevsk ex-sniper Mosin. It appears to be all numbers matching (refurbished obviously without sniper features) with a replacement stock that has a tiger stripe look to it. The scope number is lined out on the barrel shank. It is a really nice rifle, and was able to find it in the used gun section at Cabelas. Do these typically sell for more than a typical 91/30 to people that know to look for them, or are they just an interesting run of the mill Mosin? Either way I think it's really cool and am happy with my purchase.

[Marcus]

To collectors who are looking for one to add to their collection, a nice example of an "ex"-sniper does have some additional value over a standard 91/30, but some folks don't assign any added collectability or value premium to these.

Year and arsenal, degree of correctness and originality, overall condition, desirable features such as certain markings or parts, etc., can all add to value and collectability. For instance, a 1942 Tula or a 1947 Izhevsk will have considerably more value and demand than a '43 Izhevsk. None the less, a 1943 rifle saw WW2 service from the period of the German surrender at Stalingrad to the final epic battle in the flaming ruins of Berlin, and was not only the primary sniper rifle of the Soviet forces, but also saw service in large numbers on all fronts with German Army and SS units, as well as being one of the main rifles the Germans trained their snipers with. Captured examples also were used to deadly effect by Finns fighting the Soviet invaders.

Even in neutered, de-furbished configuration, these still have a WW2 combat sniper rifle history. Anything with a connection to certain elite or specialty troops/units - snipers, U.S.M.C., Waffen SS, mountain troops, paratroopers, tankers, cavalry, commandos/spies, etc. has a certain appeal and cool factor.

Soviet sniper rifles of the WW2 period were not the precision built, highly accurate rifles that are used for combat sniping today, but they were held and built to certain accuracy standards. So for the shooting collector, it is fun and informative to see what these rifles - including "ex"-snipers - are capable of.

Realizing that the focus of this site is the preservation of historic military rifles, including in their final "as issued" condition and configuration and any alteration or modification is outside that focus and not a topic for "how to" discussion here, I offer the following only as informational:

Some collectors and shooters do seek out "ex"-snipers for "restoration"/reconversion back into sniper configuration for various reasons including enjoyment and knowledge gained from doing this, having a rifle with actual sniper origins they can use for shooting/re-enacting/display/competition without risking damage to a valuable original, or having an example of an otherwise unobtainable or prohibitively expensive rifle. With the current availability and affordability of actual WW2 Mosin snipers and the high cost of original parts (or even high quality replica/current production items) this isn't currently a real popular or economically practical thing to do like it was in the past. And since the 1943 Izhevsk PU is by a landslide the most common Soviet Mosin sniper, their value and desirability is the lowest compared to other Mosin "ex"-snipers for those who would either collect them as-is or "restore" them....but still more than common, run of the mill, standard, refurbed Mosin.

Many sniper collectors also like to have examples of each model and year "ex"-sniper as well as intact versions in their collections....when you seriously get into collecting Mosin snipers and realize all the cool stuff that is out there, there is a "hoarder disorder" compulsion that can really take hold of you.

[ZakBradshaw]

Thank you for the information! I know, I just bought a 1944 PU sniper and now feel like I want to get as many of the ex-snipers as I can because they are really cool and have so much history to them. I found this one among a huge rack of regular 91/30's at my local Cabelas and had to have it!

[Marcus]

Something else to keep an eye out for are the very collectable Tula "Accuracy Rifles". These are rifles made in the 1933/34 to 1944 period that have sniper proof markings - cn, Hn, and CH, but were never drilled and tapped for a scope mount setup. The exact purpose of these rifles isn't known, but they are not, as some folks will claim, simply made from recycled parts (although some do have "seasoned" earlier receivers) or rifles that were not finished as snipers because didn't pass the accuracy tests....if they hadn't been capable of sniper grade accuracy, they would never have been marked with the sniper acceptance marks.

These were most likely specially made as target, match, and marksmanship training rifles (the Soviet equivalent of our "National Match" Springfields of that same period) or some purpose where sniper grade accuracy was needed but a scope was not wants - such as extremely cold and/or wet environments where scopes would fog and/or leak.

[ZakBradshaw]

That's interesting, I hadn't heard of those before.

[bunkysdad]

That sounds like a reasonable assessment Marcus of the CH marked rifles. Makes good sense. Thanks for the input.

[Marcus]

I had a beautiful Finn captured 1938 Tula "Accuracy Rifle", one of 2 or 3 known - my friend (and like me, former Gunboards member) Lewis "Vulch" Maynard in Australia has or had one that he was restoring that he acquired as a barreled action or seriously Bubba'ed rifle, and there may be another one out there owned by another of my sniper collector friends...I don't think so, but can't recall for sure and I lost all the data and research I had done on these "Accuracy Rifles" in a computer crash a while ago. I bought mine from another friend and collector, and ended up selling it to another sniper collector who appreciated its rareness and historical value.y


The "Accuracy Rifle" I really would love to have is the one my friend Karl-Heinz Wrobel in Germany has. IIRC, it is a 1934 Tula. This one is in a beautiful laminated stock and still has its original sniper bolt - it was hanging displayed on the wall of the Soviet Military Mission Headquarters in East Germany, and Karl-Heinz was able to acquire it when Communism collapsed, the Soviets withdrew from East Germany, and East and West Germany were re-unified.

The sad thing with the "Accuracy Rifles" is that some people take these and use them to create fake Mosin snipers, since they already have the markings. Besides being dishonest and criminally fraudulent, they are destroying a piece of history that is significant and valuable in its own right - it's kind of like chopping up a genuine National Match Garand to make a bogus M1D sniper.

[sgtheindl]

Thanks for all the neat information Marcus! This is why I love visiting this forum, all the stuff I learn.

[ZakBradshaw]

Just went back to Cabelas and snagged a 1943 Tula ex-sniper! The markings on the receiver are pretty worn, but has the "C" or "CH" above the star. I'm addicted to these things!

[Marcus]

Sounds like you are building up a very nice collection. That's one of the cool things about Mosin snipers - genuine WW2 combat snipers that radiate history, and are obtainable and affordable to the collecting and shooting community. The Tula PU rifles are much less common than the ones from Izhevsk - the least common Tula is the 1942, followed by the 1944, then 1943.

[ZakBradshaw]

Thanks! Yes, what other surplus rifle can you get that was an authentic sniper rifle for $200? They actually had two 1943 Tula ex-snipers, but the other one didn't have the C on the receiver. I've got a feeling its going to be a monthly trip to dig through the Mosins at Cabelas for me from now on.

[Longcolt44]

Cabelas is well known for selling Molot imported rifles. Did you get a Molot import or one of the older Ukraine, CAI or several other importers?

[Rongo]

Cabelas is well known for selling Molot imported rifles. Did you get a Molot import or one of the older Ukraine, CAI or several other importers?

Last time I looked; they were NOT Molot. I think they were Century... I'm not sure though.

[ZakBradshaw]

It does not say MOLOT anywhere on it.

[Rongo]

It does not say MOLOT anywhere on it.

Understood. Who was the importer if you don't mind my asking. It's driving me nuts that I can't remember.

[ZakBradshaw]

I think it was a Century, but I will check again tonight.

[psmd]

I have a 1940 Tula accuracy rifle, even has the high wall receiver.

[Marcus]

1940 is a pretty uncommon year for these - definitely a scarce and very collectable rifle!

[psmd]

Thanks, good to know, I got it at a LGS, it was one of only two left in the crate, must be not many Mosin experts around here.

[Lotema]

Cabelas is well known for selling Molot imported rifles. Did you get a Molot import or one of the older Ukraine, CAI or several other importers?

Last time I looked; they were NOT Molot. I think they were Century... I'm not sure though.

I have yet to see a century Mosin at the any of the cabelas in Washington, so far they've all been pw arms imported molots. That sure didn't stop me from buying them last year though. I got a gorgeous stocked 44 Izhevsk and a pretty nice Tula, both ex snipers. I've moved on from the cabelas molots in quite a while. It would take something really special for me to do that, I'm working on the more unique and non refurbished ones now. Well, after this last PU anyhow!