Mosin Nagant
Czech M1891/38
1908 Izhevsk - Cossack
s/n 21024
Importer: C.A.I. ST. ALB. VT.
КАЗАК translates to KAZAK - COSSACK
Каз. is the abbreviation for КАЗAK
Here is a carbine that I have been looking for, for quite some time. It is an extremely nice and fairly rare M1891/38. Although another one, ironically, sold on GunBroker the week I bought this, I am told that there are only 8 КАЗ's M91/38's documented to be in the U.S.. So, when they sell, they just move from one collector to another me thinks. To my knowledge no new Cossacks have shown up. For a rifle that has been to Serbia and back, it is in extremely good condition. I worked on the seller for more than 6 months before he relented.
Discussion Section
Stock - This is an M-91 stock with original escutcheons. It was milled for a bayonet. Other than the box 17 and box 20 there are no stampings on the stock. The stock is nicely refinished and in very good condition with no noticeable dings or scrapes. The nose cap is post 1928 Izhevsk. Barrel band springs are milled and Imperial Izhevsk. Barrel bands are post 1928 Izhevsk. Note that no rear barrel band finger grooves were milled on this rifle. The butt plate is Imperial Izhevsk with what appears to be a serial number stamped across the middle. This may have identified the original rifle this stock had. There is also a stamping on the side of the butt stock with a serial number. This number does not match the shank serial number or the serial number stamped in the middle of the butt plate. My conclusion is that this is not the original stock for this rifle although an appropriate M-91 stock. As with virtually all 91/38's a number has been stamped on the stock under the top portion of the butt plate. In this case, the number 25. When I removed the nose cap, I noticed a weird notch cut into the stock. Haven't seen that before. Any ideas why they did this?
Front sights. Standard sights for a 91/38. Sight ring has a Czech star stamped on it.
Rear sights. Standard carbine sights for a 91/38. Sight blade has a post 1928 Izhevsk stamp which likely makes it a sight from an M-38. There are no stampings on the sight base.
Barrel - Very good condition, nice bluing and no rust. There is a slightly elevated (reworked) spot where a bayonet mounting ring would have been indicating that this rifle had such a ring which was later removed. A distinct lack of stampings on the barrel proper. An unusual, slightly noticeable, rough spot about an inch in front of the shank.
Barrel Shank Details:
1. Imperial Eagle with Cyrillic PK (ПК) "Probaya Komissiya (Proof Commission)" stamp.
2. Ижевскй - (Izhevsk)
3. Mystery number of "4"
4. Оружейный Заводъ - (Firearms Factory)
5. Czech star stamping
6. Manufacture date: 1908r
7. Serial Number: 21024
8. Special Designation: Каз. (Cossack)
9. Imperial Izhevsk bow and arrow armory stamp
10. Serbian Crown Stamp - Indicates that this rifle was captured and used by Serbia in it's past.
Receiver - The receiver is not date or arsenal stamped. I am assuming it is original 1908 Izhevsk.
1. Cyrillic PK (ПК) "Probaya Komissiya" (Proof Commission) stamp. Mostly scrubbed
2. Boxed or Open arrow stamp - unique to 91/38's. Purpose unknown but likely a proof or inspection stamp.
3. Imperial Eagle - Mostly scrubbed.
4. Circle T stamp - generally thought to be a Czech proof stamp.
Bolt -
The bolt body is Imperial Tula
Bolt Head is Sestoryetsk.
Firing pin is Imperial Tula
Connecting bar is Imperial Tula
Cocking Piece is Imperial Tula
Magazine -
Magazine Trigger Guard is Imperial Izhevsk
Internals are Imperial Tula and Izhevsk or not marked.
Internals -
Interrupter/Ejector is a type 2 stamped with a circle KK/10 stamped on it.
Trigger - post 1928 Izhevsk
sear is pre 1928 Izhevsk
Nose cap is post 1928 Izhevsk.
Firing Chamber and Bore -
The firing chamber is very good with what appears to be dried up grease, perhaps with some rust, in the ejector channel. This is quite common in the early 91/38's and other Mosins I have encountered. The bore is dark grey with prominent rifling. There is a slight "corrosion circle" towards the muzzle end of the barrel. This bore is not counterbored as are any of the 91/38's I have seen.
Other items of interest.
1. The underside of the receiver is loaded with inspection stampings as could be expected from these early rifles.
2. The magazine has many stampings that I have never seen before in a trigger guard. The finger guard has a Cyrillic "c" on one side and a Cyrillic "k" on the other side. I have seen this on other older Mosins especially 91/38's.
** Circle KK/10 stamp
This stamp is seen only on Mosin 91/38's, i.e., to be clear - not on any other Mosins but 91/38's. Some feel that this is a Bulgarian stamping. A KK/10 stamp was used on some later model Bulgarian rifles which has led some to conclude that they were made there. My belief is that they were made in Czechoslovakia. The stocks indicate this and the Circle "T" appears on all 91/38's vs. the circle KK/10 stamp is not seen on all 91/38's and all 91/38's have the Czech star on the shank and other places. I have read that some shipping records indicate a possible Bulgarian connection but I feel that this was just the route chosen to deliver these rifles to Russia via Bulgaria if, indeed, such records exist. Perhaps some went through Bulgaria and the circle KK/10 was just an inspector's approval stamp. But, that wouldn't explain the weird locations that you can find this stamp. As in the past, I am just speculating. The only facts about these rifles is the lack of information. This Circle KK/10 stamp really intrigues me. I have found it in three places on these 91/38's. On the receiver, on the rear sight base and, now, on the interrupter/ejector. I suppose this is just another mystery stamp but I only see them on 91/38's. This stamp is only on about 1/3 of my 91/38's, if that many.
Discussion Section
Mosin Nagant 1908 Izhevsk M1891/38 Cossack
Mosin Nagant 1908 Izhevsk M1891/38 Cossack
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