Refurbished or Fake PU?

[Matthew P]

Hi Everyone,

Would any of you mind passing some comment on this rifle I'm looking at buying?

It is being sold as an Arsenal refurbishment (Ukraine 1960's) with the the barrel still packed in grease.

The seller has said the bolt is numbered 3961, Magazine Floor plate 670, Butt Plate 676. The original scope number has been electropencilled fron above the stock on the barrel.

The scope mount appears not to be matched to the rifle, the HB5999 number relates to nothing I can see. The bolt and butt plate serials (no photos, sorry.) also appear not be original to the rifle. Scope seems to be from the Progress factory in Leningrad (no date but not uncommon). I think the crossed boxed with the 'M' might be a refurbishment mark.

What are the chances of it being a genuine refurb. as opposed to a fake. If it's fake, it doesnt look like whoever has done it went to any trouble in trying to hide the non matching serial serial numbers. The scope with the dessicant covered lens caps and the bore in grease also seems strange for a fake.

Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Matt
QLD Australia.

[Jumperwire]

I can't find anything wrong with it, based on the pictures you've posted. My one thought is the scope screws are round, which is what a wartime scope would have. Your's being a 1960 scope, I am not sure if those are supposed to be round or flat. I'm sure some others will chime in on this. That's just my observation. Looks like a nice rifle tho.

[Matthew P]

Thanks Jumperwire. The non-matching numbers and HB5999 mark on the scope mount still worry me!

[Junk Yard Dog]

Mismatched rifle serial numbers are a good sign, the fake snipers are built from regular refurbs and they have force matched numbers, I also see a number on the left side of the barrel shank, correct for a PU, another good sign. The rest I will leave to the experts.

[Sgt. Rob]

Where is the importers mark? And can you post a pic?

Semper Fi, Rob

[Matthew P]

Hi Sgt Rob,

No importers mark from what I can see. We don't get them on rifles imported into Australia.

Cheers,

Matt

[commie cannon]

The scope is the real deal. The rest of the rifle looks suspect to me. I could be wrong but the weld job on the bolt bend looks fishy.

Looks like a de-comissioned sniper re-comissioned.

[Matthew P]

Thanks commie,

Do you have a view on whether it was recommisioned in the factory or in someone's work bench?

[Sgt. Rob]

My concern is that the struck out sniper number on the barrel shank may mean it was decomissioned, and then resnipered by somone with what looks like an original mount and scope. I am not sure about the bolt, but hopefully dolk will come along and chime in. I am still learning alot about snipers, but he can spot issues pretty quick that may raise concern or settle the matter.

Semper Fi, Rob

[bunkysdad]

I wish I knew more about these. It does look nice to me. Australia huh? Glad to have you with us.

[commie cannon]

To the best of my knowledge, no decomissioned snipers were re-comissioned by the arsenals.

Still looks like a nice rifle. That scope and mount are worth something. Especially to if you happen to have one of the original samco snipers that had lost the scopes.

[Mantis]

It's a PU unless there is a real good faker out there. GO to gun forums and see if it falls between known examples. That line out scope number on the recv'r is legit. The scope could have been turned down and re marked not uncommon and as you can see it has a weak refurb mark on it. You are correct the [X] is a refurb. The scopes they quit making them in the 50's. You have a PU as far as I can see, a nice one if the rifling is in good shape WELCOME to the board and where's our range report. There are some actual Russian tricks that were used to help the rifle out. 1 of them was folded oiled wax paper to seat in the barrel

[Matthew P]

Thanks everyone for your comments.. I've bought the rifle.
Range report will be done in a few months.. In Australia our gun laws are fairly restrictive so it will take a little time to get permits etc.