Red serial number
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ground ape
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Red serial number
Hi, I just bought a '39 91/30 Tula in great condition. Will someone kindly explain the red serial numbers on the barrel shank. Thanks Chris
Re: Red serial number
'Just one of the intriguing, "Mosin Mysteries."
- Junk Yard Dog
- Owner/Founder

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Re: Red serial number
For some reason the commies saw fit to highlight the numbers, this is typically done to make them more easily visible. Some collectors will use a white crayon, or chalk to highlight marking so they show up better in photographs, the commies always did prefer red.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Re: Red serial number
Does it have a 25 inside of a triangle stamp on it?
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
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ground ape
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Re: Red serial number
It does not, It does not seem to have any markings other than the star, date and number. I see you are a friend of Eric's also. Cool.
Re: Red serial number
Which Eric?ground ape wrote:It does not, It does not seem to have any markings other than the star, date and number. I see you are a friend of Eric's also. Cool.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
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ground ape
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Re: Red serial number
Eric Blair alias George Orwell.
Re: Red serial number
Cool. I was ignorant of that fact.ground ape wrote:Eric Blair alias George Orwell.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
- WeldonHunter
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Re: Red serial number
Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522
- Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Red serial number
I found a can of actual cyanide when I cleaned out the barn if anyone needs a bit.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
- jimpierce7
- Posts: 1515
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Re: Red serial number
WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522
I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.
Re: Red serial number
I tried that and the walls started breathing.jimpierce7 wrote:WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522
I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
- WeldonHunter
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Re: Red serial number
LMAO!!! JIm you did it wrong you shouldn't be able to type this, Eric watch my hand as a wave it back and forth. Do you see it?millman wrote:I tried that and the walls started breathing.jimpierce7 wrote:WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522
I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.
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ditchtiger
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Re: Red serial number
My wife saw me lick mine and became very irate saying "enough is enough". It's time to choose, them or me!!WeldonHunter wrote:LMAO!!! JIm you did it wrong you shouldn't be able to type this, Eric watch my hand as a wave it back and forth. Do you see it?millman wrote:I tried that and the walls started breathing.jimpierce7 wrote:WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522
I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.
I'll miss her
Re: Red serial number
Does your shank have a /25\ stamp on it? This represented refurbishment at a still not location-wise identified, field artillery depot, likely in the Ukraine. For some reason, they highlighted the shank numbers, butt plate numbers and rear sight graduants. They are fairly uncommon although not rare. I kind of like these...
Re: Red serial number
I have a 1939 Tula 91/30 with orangeish- white in the serial number. I figured it was chalk when I bought it but it looks like paint. Its a PW Arms import if that means anything. I'm still waiting for some spare time during daylight to get some decent photos of my rifles.
- Longcolt44
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Re: Red serial number
These red letter rifles were around long before PW became the primary importer of Mosins. I believe one of the members here was keeping track of the red letter rifles.
FREEDOM...USE IT OR LOSE IT!!
Re: Red serial number
I've had a few "reds" that were not /25\ stamped on the shank. It's anyone's guess as to why some facilities painted shanks or rear sight gradients red...
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ground ape
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Re: Red serial number
No, qz, there are no such marks, but there are five very small circles with maybe the letter D in the centre stamped into the shank and two on the cocking knob. Cheers


