1943 PU Sniper early CAI import?

[Lotema]

Great looking laminate m38 but you can't just tease us like that! We need more photos! The m38 is such a fun rifle. I like to bring mine out on overcast days to clear the benches of the SBR AR folks. They think theirs are loud and flashy but they haven't seen anything until I break out "Marvin the Martian" and it's earth shattering kaboom!

[Hesh]

Its a 43 ishvek the rifle isnt here yet but images courtesy of the previous owner

[Hesh]

No importation marks ??

[Darryl]

Any import marks on the end of the barrel? (Muzzle?)
Maybe on the other side of the receiver (like Tulsky did?)
Maybe on the left rear of the receiver (like Molot did?)

Looks like maybe it went through Germany?

But still it should have import marks acceptable to the USA. (unless it is a very early import).

Interesting to see how this one turns out.

Dolk

[Hesh]

I certainly will share more photos, i hope to pick it up this coming week. The more i look into this rifle the happier i am, looks like they are not so common after all?

[Darryl]

Laminated M38's are not "all over the place". The stock (laminated) was put on it after WWII. Probably during refurbishment. There is a "Late War Laminated Stock", but this is not one of them. Late model laminated was even more rare. The should be on a 1945 M38 also. '

However, they made very few M38 laminated stock post war also. It probably has the bayonet groove in it so it could be used on the M38 or M44 as replacements.

Nice carbine.

Dolk

[Hesh]

Thanks for the response Dolk, its on the way and I should see it before the end of this week.

What is your view if it doesnt have the bayonet cut-out in the stock, does it become more scarce?

I brought this as my knowledge is limited, I have a better knowledge of Lee Enfield's and Swedish Mausers than I do Nagants.

[Darryl]

What is your view if it doesn't have the bayonet cut-out in the stock, does it become more scarce?

I'm expecting to see a bayonet cutout in it. It doesn't look like a late war laminate at all. Late war M38 laminated stocks do not have the bayonet groove in them. But the post war laminates do have the bayonet groove in them.

So, ....
1) end of war is laminated with not groove. The laminates were very thing and sometimes hard to spot. May look like a solid stock (or close).
2) post war laminates have the bayonet groove. The laminates are much thicker and easier to spot.



Only post war carbine stocks without a bayonet groove I have ever seen is on M91/59's. They made a few carbine (solid wood) stocks with no bayonet groove. Purpose made for the M91/59's only. But they weren't laminated either.


Dolk

[Hesh]

Picked up the M38 this morning from my local dealer, suffice to say there is a small repair on the right hand side of the stock, To my eye there is no bayonet cutout or change in profile on the right hand side. the floor-plate is mis-matched but everything has the same serial number or triangle or izhevsk markings.

The butt plate is void of any markings, the barrel is counter bored at the muzzle, detailed pics to come soon.

[Darryl]

Photos!!!

[Hesh]

Hi Dolk working on photos, its winter down in the southern hemisphere so i leave home when dark and get home aftrr dark.

[Hesh]

Hi all some photos of my recently acquired M38 for review and comment

[Hesh]

[Darryl]

Don't see a bayonet cutout on it. If that is the case, this is probably a late war M38 laminated stock. I don't think I have ever seen one that looks this nice before. Also, the laminate sections seem a little thicker. But there is no denying the fact it has no bayonet slot. So it is a purpose made M38 stock.

Interesting.

Dolk

[Hesh]

Thanks for the reply dolk, i am looking forward to putting some loads through this one. I reload so and dont intend on using the corrosive ammo. It has some obvious signs of wear and the muzzle is counter bored. I am happy in spite of not pucking up the pu sniper clone.