What's so special about samco pu snipers? Where can I find one

[srtjeeplover95]

I am getting back into collecting all. Just curious what is so special about the samco snipers? I want a sniper in the closest military configuration as possible, in terms of original factory finish and original stock would a samco be the way to go??

[srtjeeplover95]

What makes samco snipers so special. I have been looking for one for years. I'm finally getting back into collecting. Now in terms of original factory finish and original wood and mostly numbers matching is a samco sniper the way to go? I miss my beautiful albanian import was all matching had original factory stock just had reblued metal.

Thanks all

[SA1911a1]

I don't know why a Samco would be any better than any other authentic refurb sniper unless someone had a nostalgic feeling for a dead importer. Far more knowledgeable people should kick in soon.

[srtjeeplover95]

Hmmmm to my understanding from what I heard is they didn't go thru the refurb process? I could be wrong but that's what I understand it to be

[SA1911a1]

Hmmmm to my understanding from what I heard is they didn't go thru the refurb process? I could be wrong but that's what I understand it to be

There are some people who frequent this place that have expert knowledge. They are probably too stuffed to react, but when they come out of their food induced coma, you can expect some smart and straight answers. As for me, I don't know nothing, I just hang out here because I am waiting for a beautiful girl, with a grandfather complex, to come wandering by, and spirit me off to dirty old man heaven. ;)

Be patient, you will get some good information.

[srtjeeplover95]

Perfect sounds like a plan!

[srtjeeplover95]

I use to do german snipers a tad but they are so hard to authenticate and 90% of them are fakes

[Darryl]

I am getting back into collecting all. Just curious what is so special about the samco snipers? I want a sniper in the closest military configuration as possible, in terms of original factory finish and original stock would a samco be the way to go??

First off, the Samco sniper rifles were made by Russia, and used by Russia (Soviet Union) during WWII just like all the refurbished snipers.
At the end of WWII, they went to Yugoslavia and were put into service there.

At some point the cleaning rods were replaced (I think earlier then storage). You can tell a Russian sniper used by Yugoslavians by the cleaning rod. The head was "brazed" on, and you can see a little "brass" around were the head and the rod meet.

When the Yugoslavians were done with them, the optics were removed (and used elsewhere) and they were packed with a very dark grease (not cosmoline) and packed away.

These are your "Samco" sniper rifles. Samco bought them as a "group" all at one time. And bought them all.

Now, there were some that still had the optics and not greased up. These were sold not as part of the Samco group.

Now, Samco had some other snipers that they sold later on. These were not from the same group. But in General, the samco sniper are all from this group. They are import marked with Samco on them.

They serviced with Russia during WWII, then they had a second life. At the end of WWII, they are mostly in the same state as they were during WWII. They are not heavily refurbished with shellac or re-blued like the snipers that stayed in Russia after the war..

One of my favorite snipers. I have 3. One has it's optics put back on which is acceptable because there was no drilling that needed to be done. All the holes and cutout in the stock are still present. They were not handled like the "Ex-snipers" were in Russia. They have always been in sniper configuration.

There are also Yugo snipers that are not part of the Samco grouping.

Darryl

[srtjeeplover95]

Very interesting Darryl,
I have been looking for one for some time now and I can't seem to find one? Would you happen to be selling one anytime soon ? Also did they put new stocks on them? I see photos online of some samcos that don't look like wartime stocks? Thanks

[Darryl]

Very interesting Darryl,
I have been looking for one for some time now and I can't seem to find one? Would you happen to be selling one anytime soon ? Also did they put new stocks on them? I see photos online of some samcos that don't look like wartime stocks? Thanks

No, I don't sell anything. Ever. Sorry.
No, they did not put new stocks on them. They are in fact as they were during WWII. I think they probably took the nicest of the snipers after WWII and sold them to Yugoslavia.
If someone replaced the stock, I suppose it is possible it was done if one was damaged. but for the most part, the stock have no shellack on them like the Russian refurbs do.

main1.jpg

Typical stock

R1.jpg

Brass under head on cleaning rod.

R6.jpg

Lots of grease! Very black.

grease9t.jpg

grease6t.jpg

Scope cutout in stock and drilled holes in receiver still present

boltarea1t.jpg

It's not easy adding a scope back on. It takes a lot of time. Each scope base was a little different and was custom drilled to each rifle. So, the pins and screw holes don't always match up with a used base you can get today. I purchased 3 bases before I got one I could work with.

Darryl

[Darryl]

scopemount1t.jpg

I think most of them are 1944 or 45, but don't quote me on that. they have the late war sling slots on them.

I have lots of images of this one (above). I used to have a website showing most of my collection, but that is gone now.

Darryl

[Darryl]

One more thing.


They all have matching arsenal marks (mostly Izhevsk) on the entire rifle. Some of the bolts were swapped.

So the parts on the rifles are all from the same rifle as it was built in Russia (except the bolts on some). Unless a part was replaced because of damage. So, to me, that is a huge plus.

Darryl

[Darryl]

Here is a original Russian base mounted on it. Very hard to find and to do the job.

Darryl

[srtjeeplover95]

Hey Darryl,

Thank you so much for the help! I'm going to send you a PM really quick!

Thanks alot

[srtjeeplover95]

Darryl,

Since I can't figure out how to send you a PM here is what I would say.

Can you tell me a tad about this rifle. I bought it as it reminded me of my old mosin? Does everything look well on it?

First thing I noticed was the scope matches the reciever. As well as it looks like it has a post war stock... My old 43 had different lugs in it. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you sir.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/885114237

[Darryl]

Waiting for Miller to chime in. He is better at the early PU's.
I think it is an early one,....or a made up???????

Darryl

[Miller Tyme]

Waiting for Miller to chime in. He is better at the early PU's.
I think it is an early one,....or a made up???????

Darryl

This one was in a earlier post, stock isn't original, refurbishment replacement? Or prior owner? Hard to say, but the butt plate is Chinese, something that throws the whole stock in question. The scope looks like it might be an arsenal replacement, scrub & restamp, but better pics of the barrel shank are needed.

[srtjeeplover95]

So the verdict is I talked to the seller and he canceled my order. I covered his fees. Just didn't seem correct is all. Thanks for the help all

[srtjeeplover95]

What does everyone reccomend? In terms of original world war 2 turn in condition (original bluing, stock, ect ect) is to maybe look for a samco global PU? Im like you all, I like everything in the condition it was in durring 1945

[Miller Tyme]

What does everyone reccomend? In terms of original world war 2 turn in condition (original bluing, stock, ect ect) is to maybe look for a samco global PU? Im like you all, I like everything in the condition it was in durring 1945

Buy that criteria, a WW2 bringback, probably have to be imported from the EU, or a Finn captured PU are probably your only options as even the Samco's had a certain amount of post war rework.