1938 Tula with wire hangers

[fchaus]

So one of the 91/30's from the woodshop cache I aquired (thats a story in itself) has wire hangers. New to the Mosin Nagant I thought is was just some bubba sling attachment, then while reading here on the net I learned about the SCW Mosins. I examined my rifle and aside from the wire hangers it doesn't have the other que's that would lead one to believe it is a SCW rifle. So I kept reading and basicly just learned that "other countries also used wire hangers". These are not the screwed in ones like the Finnish rifles but just the bent wire pieces. Apparently they could be "Balkin" but can't find much more than that.

So, I figured I would put it up to you guys and see what you all think. Like stated in the title its a 1938 Tula, Or at least thats what is stamped on the barrel. It is mostly numbers matching but has alot of Izhesck parts mixed in. It does have an import mark (CAI) on the top on the barrel right behind the front sight. It is in a post-war stock. It looks pretty worn and the bluing is very worn. The crest is removed or very worn and there something struck where it was.

So thats what my beginner eye see's. What do you guys with more knowledge see?

[tomaustin]

your assumption is that they are original issue...??

[fchaus]

No, I have absolutely no assumptions. The rifle is 1938 and the stock is post-war so obviously not original. Just wondering if the very wise people here on the forum can possibly shead some light as to who/where the hangers were placed there or if there is anything else the rifle has to tell.

[ssg_lord]

The Romanians also used wire sling hangers on Mosin's and I suspect that's what you have. Spanish imports would not have post war stocks and I also see what I think is a post war Soviet refurbishment stamp above the Tula star(pic isn't very clear). C.A.I. imported large numbers of Romanian used M91/30's in the mid 1990's.

[fchaus]

I was thinking that is what that stamp was too, where the crest would normally be. The picture is a little blurry but the strike is also very light and it looks like it was struck and then again. If the Romanians got it after the Soviet refurishment they must have used the heck out of it (or whoever got it here is American) because the bluing is pretty much gone anywhere its exposed. Another thing that indicated refurbishment is the rear sight is the old type with the screw but it is now attached with the 2 pins.

[ssg_lord]

I was thinking that is what that stamp was too, where the crest would normally be. The picture is a little blurry but the strike is also very light and it looks like it was struck and then again. If the Romanians got it after the Soviet refurishment they must have used the heck out of it (or whoever got it here is American) because the bluing is pretty much gone anywhere its exposed. Another thing that indicated refurbishment is the rear sight is the old type with the screw but it is now attached with the 2 pins.

The mid 90's Romanian 91/30 imports normally have post war Soviet refurb marks and also show moderate to heavy wear. Many also are missing the cleaning rod, as yours is. These rifles were used as training rifles as well as weapons for Romanian reservists so they saw heavy use. Your rifles condition is not uncommon. I missed the location of your import mark when I first read your post, that style and location of import mark is consistent with C.A.I. 's marking style during the 90's so it's almost certainly a Romanian import.

[fchaus]

Thanks for the info. The historical aspect of these rifles is fascinating. Any idea why the crest would be so worn away and not the reast of the marks on the barrel shank. The tip of the Tula star looks more worn to closer you get to the front of the barrel.

Awesome stuff. Thanks SSG-Lord.

[qz2026]

This is definitely one of the guns that came out of Romania. Probably used in the Balkans. The sling hangers are too thick for an SCW. This is fascinating. I don't recall seeing a 91/30 with these sling hangers before. This is what the Austrians did during WWI to many M-91's that they acquired. Same size sling hangers too. They were also known to peen or remove the Russian crests. This is a pretty uncommon rifle. Very cool.