Chatellerault 1894

[Clayton Farlow]

Hello,

This Mosin was recently found by a guy who cleans the abandoned stuff out of storage facilities in southwestern Illinois. Complete mismatch, but no Bubba activity that I can see. Nice bore, but they counterbored it anyway, about 3/4". I have not taken it out of the stock, not sure if I ever will. Overall, good condition.

I'm still learning about these (this is my first Mosin that is not a 1943 Izhevsk), so comments welcome.

chat11.jpg

[Junk Yard Dog]

Finn M1891, Chatellerault made in France in 1894. Chatellerault M1891's are rare, even more rare in this condition with nice crisp markings. Even more rare is the unscrubbed Czarist eagle, and double SA stamp. Who cares if the numbers don't match, they rarely do past the bolt on a Finn M91. With a rifle like this we don't pay attention to the bolt number, Chatellerault M91's command good money when they show up for sale on GB. Very nice find.

[redspoon]

Yes Sir I would say that's a giant leap from a 43 Izhevsk Nice score.

[Lee-online]

Very nice rifle, leave is as is and appreciate it for all its been through.

It would not surprise me if this was selling on gunbroker for it to fetch $1000. Ones not as nice recently sold for $800.

[zeebill]

Nice rifle. The 1894 year is the most common of a rare and hard to find rifle. Most all Finn's from back then are counter bored so don't fret about that. Note how far back in the sling swivel plates are sitting versus the woods level. This tells you the finish is like as not original and adds more value to the rifle. You guys who are always asking how someone can tell if the rifle has been sanded and refinished and thusly of lesser value this rifle and situation is exactly what you should be looking for and at. Very nice and original rifle something a collector and shooter can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come. Just remember if you decide to take those clamps holding that hand guard on there they are not righty tightey but go the opposite way than what we are normally used to and can be broken very easily if screwed the wrong way. They act like reverse threads because of the way they are mechanically set up. Wow that is a real nice rifle! Congrats! Bill

[davesstuff1]

Extremely nice Rifle

[Crackerbrown]

That is absolutely awesome!! You learn so much on this forum!

[husker51]

Thank you for the opportunity to view an 1894 Chatellerault. Very special. Congratulations on your good fortune.

[Lotema]

Great looking rifle! Can't believe that somebody would leave that behind in a storage locker.

[Ironnewt]

Very nice indeed

[boltaction]

Hello, Yes, Very nice rifle!!!! You found/were gifted with, what every gun collector is questing for; an untouched firearm... Being Finned only adds to the value/interest.. Love the sling hangers.... Man what a nice find.... I hope your head won't explode, from all the comment you are going to get. See guys and gals, They "the rare ones" are still out there, We just need to keep looking. Or, to have a good friend... You owe him a BBQ and a beer...BA

[Longcolt44]

You did very, very well.

[mitch5690]

While a great Find, id think this is one of the few that would be worth more without the Finn touch

[Teleoceras]

WOW! That is a great find!

Take good care of that old soldier, she is a rare one!

[boltaction]

Hello, Mitch5690, I'd have to agree with you. All original..as it left the factory. But, I didn't want to piss off the referb ;for war/uses people... That's why I said value/INTEREST. Being "Finned", only adds to the history of the firearm. No, it is not original any more. So, being "Finned" can be look on as, being good or not so good, depending,on what "you're looking for". Yet, this rifle as posted is pretty fricken cool in all it's right. Hope not to piss off anyone. Yet, that wouldn't be the first time. BA.

[neal45]

That is a beautiful Mosin in great condition. I would not be afraid to remove it from the stock, especially when you know the screws turn backwards from normal to loosen, as mentioned above. That way you could check for rust and give it a wipe down with quality oil below the wood line. But the stock is great and has survived this long just great. The most you should do to the stock is wipe it with a clean cotton rag. If anyone mentions any "conditioner" or "protectant" to you for the stock, please ignore them.

I have 25 M91's and they have been doing great, for years, with this treatment (or lack of treatment.)

Congratulations on a great find.

[Junk Yard Dog]

People leave all sorts of things behind in storage lockers, I have a friend who bids on them when they come up. A couple of years back he cleaned one out and found a collection of old paper money all nice and arranged in plastic slip covers. Star notes, 20's horse blankets, sequential numbered bills, silver certificates, most crisp and unissued, all neatly labeled according to rarity and why it was special. A large shoebox full, the part he liked best was it came out to over ten grand in actual face value of the bills without even counting the collector value. That sort of thing would put a smile on my face also, and make up for the previous lockers full of old baby items, and broken tools.

[bunkysdad]

20's horseblankets! Oh heck I would have had to call the doctor after 4 hours! I love old currency. And right there folks is a great example of how a thread can grow legs and take a new path. I am surprised nobody has talked about food yet.
Anyhow, I absolutely love your special rifle. Wow what a find, and was probably stored in a corner from a couple decades ago when the guys buying these didn't yet know what it was. Just beautiful. Congrats on a fine keepsake.

[JoeR]

Dang...... Congrats on find of a lifetime. Is anyone else out there like me that loves to hear the stories of how our chunks of history were acquired by their new caretakers ?

[Darryl]

That is pretty close (serial #) to mine. Nice riffle! .....D