New to me Chinese T53 1954.4

[SA1911a1]

Didn’t Navy Arms refinish many of the T53?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is the rumor, but I believe that, at the time, they were too cheap to spend the resources to refinish them. Navy Arms may have gotten them before the Chinese realized we would pay for the ones they had abandoned as trash.

[zeebill]

For many years all Milsurp rifles came piled and banded to pallets open to all weather and sold by weight. Big mouthed dumb Americans paid more than they asked for them and begged for more. Even a blind squirrel eventually sees they can make more money off things and raises the prices. Then when we foolishly tell them that we will pay for things like Mosin crates and such they begin selling them too. We are the worst bargainers in history and probably overpaid the Indians for Manhattan Island too if you look close at it. This is among a bunch of reasons we enjoy the current milsurp prices we do today. People will pay and sellers will ask that price then. Cabelo's refurb 91/30 prices at Wheeling were $399 regular and $499 for hex receiver and now try and tell me they won't sell out of them! Bill

[capt14k]

For many years all Milsurp rifles came piled and banded to pallets open to all weather and sold by weight. Big mouthed dumb Americans paid more than they asked for them and begged for more. Even a blind squirrel eventually sees they can make more money off things and raises the prices. Then when we foolishly tell them that we will pay for things like Mosin crates and such they begin selling them too. We are the worst bargainers in history and probably overpaid the Indians for Manhattan Island too if you look close at it. This is among a bunch of reasons we enjoy the current milsurp prices we do today. People will pay and sellers will ask that price then. Cabelo's refurb 91/30 prices at Wheeling were $399 regular and $499 for hex receiver and now try and tell me they won't sell out of them! Bill

The only way Cabelas sells them is during a sale and people buy with gift cards. For instance they will have 20% off brings price to $320 of round then someone uses their gift cards they bought after Christmas on EBay for 20% off. I have $300 in gift cards I paid $240 for. So you only need $40 more out of pocket. So the $400 overpriced Mosin becomes a $300 overpriced Mosin.

Last summer I bought a Yugo 24/47 priced at $349 for $240 out of pocket using my $300 in gift cards.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[steelbuttplate]

Around $300 + is where the nicer round receiver 91/30's are selling for on GB. A little more for an older, nice Hex. Good deals on Mosins and cigars in Cuba is what I hear.

[capt14k]

Around $300 + is where the nicer round receiver 91/30's are selling for on GB. A little more for an older, nice Hex. Good deals on Mosins and cigars in Cuba is what I hear. [emoji38]

When communism completely collapses we will see a nice influx of Milsurps from Cuba. Also if Libya can ever end the civil war Obama and Clinton caused we should see some from there as well.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Crazysarge16]

Wow, hadn't checked in a few days and this post explodes.

Thanks for all the information on the rifle and finish. I'm addicted to these Chinese T53s for some reason, maybe because people often overlook them cause they aren't Russian. Already have a friend trying to trade me for it, mainly so he can start his surplus collection

I agree with the crazy prices of Mosins in general, I live right down the road from Sovereign Guns in Fuquay, NC which is a big seller on GunBroker. Granted, they have a slew of Mosins you can go through and pick out. But $320 for a hex receiver Mosin is crazy to me. Though they do normally have some Yugo Mausers, I can't justify spending that much. Granted I came into the surplus game when Mosins were $80 kick myself for not buying them then but I was more interested in Enfields honestly. Had a nice collection of almost every manufacturer, then life came and kicked me in the nuts. Only have my Savage Enfield left that a good friend gifted to me

[Longcolt44]

I seriously doubt we see any size milsurps imported from Cuba. The big import guys are gong after a bigger prize..all those 1955 Chevy's with an Evenrude boat motors transplanted in them.