91/38?

[walnut red]

A friend is downsizing his firearms accumulation and has offered to sell me his last Mosin, a M38 Hex. I've not looked at the rifle for a couple years but as I recall it is a 43 +/- 1 year Izhevsk barrel mark with an old import mark and a mismatched bolt. Does not have the shiny refurb look, more like the better M53s that came in a few years ago. He's had it 20 years or so. Are there any unusual features I should look for that would affect the value and what is a fair price to offer. We aren't talking top auction price but a fair offer. Right now I'm planning on offering $250, would that be ballpark today?

[sarge912]

Seems a fair price if he will take it.

[racerguy00]

It would be an m38 with a recycled hex receiver with that date. 91/38s are cut-down older M91s

[djbuck1]

You need to know what you are buying. An M38 built on a hex receiver is a rare bird, indeed.

[walnut red]

OK, so it's just a M38 hex. I still find it interesting and a version I do not have. He'd take the $250 if that is a fair price. However if it's actually worth $100 more I'll advise him to sell it on an e-auction or list it here.

[JoeZ]

I'd give 250 all day long for that, but that's just me. I know there is a lot of discussion that goes back and forth on what something is worth, but I would consider that run of the mill 91/30's are going for 200 - 250 right now. I am cheap, and I wouldn't pay that for a 91/30, but I see them selling locally for that. Your friend would very likely do better than 250, and you would probably be hard pressed to find another one for that price. Even the round receiver M38's are going for more than 250, that I have seen. My advice would be.......if you are able to make the deal for 250, and you both remain friends afterward, then buy it. If he's not that great of a friend, offer him 150. Just kidding. If I were in your position, I'd let him know that he could likely get more for it. Maybe he'll still sell it to you for 250. In my opinion, that would be a great piece to have. Good luck. Post lots of pictures if you end up with it.

[Fledge]

As JoeZ said....he could probably get more on the open market, but without pictures and more info it is hard to give you an accurate price point. If you got it for $250 you can't go wrong.

[djbuck1]

I'd pay $250 for any decent M38.

[walnut red]

Thanks guys, after looking at closed auctions on gunbroker it seems like M38 prices are all over with not a lot of rhyme nor reason that I can see. I'm going to make my offer but tell him he'd be better off selling online. Heck, I've three round action M38s and the last I bought last summer at a flea market for $120. I could offer him that round action and $150 cash and we'd both probably come out OK. ;-)

[Junk Yard Dog]

M38's with recycled hex receivers are not common, these days any M38 is not commonly encountered. They were the first of the Mosin variations behind the 91/38, 91/59's to vanish. $250 is a good price between friends, he can always visit it at your house. Anyone else and $350 would be more like it, issued M38's are also hard to find, this one sounds like one of the few that came in with the Romanian Mosin hoard.

[qz2026]

Definitely not a 91/38. As indicated, an M-38 with a recycled hex receiver are like hen's teeth to find. Very uncommon. I think above $350 would be the norm. But, would need pictures and a bit more information on the gun. If he posts it here, I would sell in a heartbeat assuming everything is on the up and up with it.

[bunkysdad]

Flea market bargains do not dictate actual values of course. If he will take 250.00 and you don't want to give more then that is what I would. It's what I call the brother in law deal. Go for it.

[walnut red]

Thanks all. He's coming to my house this weekend for a cook out and is supposed to bring the carbine. At a minimum that will let me look it over again and take some pictures. He's moved to a condo and decided to sell all of his non single shot military rifles. The other two I'm interested in are his M95 Austrian rifle, I have a carbine, and his Siamese Mauser.

[bunkysdad]

Those are all good choices. Good luck.

[walnut red]

Unfortunately my friend did not bring the M38 to the cookout. He said all his military rifles were in temporary storage at his father-in-laws and he'll need to find time to pick them up. So the saga continues.

[Rongo]

Unfortunately my friend did not bring the M38 to the cookout. He said all his military rifles were in temporary storage at his father-in-laws and he'll need to find time to pick them up. So the saga continues.

Good luck. $250 is a very fair price... Be a true buddy & let him know it's worth more & let him finalize the price.

[Longcolt44]

The other side of the coin. I wouldn't take $350.00 for any of my M38s. I would be hard pressed to replace them for that.

[Rongo]

The other side of the coin. I wouldn't take $350.00 for any of my M38s. I would be hard pressed to replace them for that.

Agreed.