Another White M-44 - Clone?

[qz2026]

A while back I posted an M-44 that really caught my attention - It didn't seem refurbed and the bluing was virtually gone. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17319. Last week I saw yet another one and this one could have been a brother. No one bid on it and I was able to strike a pretty good deal after the auction closed - well, it works sometimes... . Both are Izhevsk's, 1944's, have stocks that are virtually identical in fit and finish and have serial numbers not that far from one another. (I know, there could be thousands between them). Both have mismatched bolts, good to excellent bores and operate very smoothly. Side by side they look like clones. Here is the new one and then I'll upload a pic of them together. Been a good month... Check it out..

[jonnyboy091373]

Very nice pair now, which one shoots better?

[Junk Yard Dog]

Issued M44's from the Balkan hoard, nice

[bunkysdad]

Stunning good looks. My favorite overall look for sure, and you have two? Very nice.

[TulaTom]

Looks good!

[desdem12]

[TopperT]

[qz2026]

Issued M44's from the Balkan hoard, nice

Jim, how would I know that? Would the hint be the mismatched bolt? I am only familiar with the Balkan M-91's but haven't heard of the use of M-44's. Can you provide us a history lesson regarding the M-44 and the Balkans and how to ID an M-44 that went that route. Perhaps I already know, but don't know... Bolt, finish, removal of bluing (?) - there is a straight line at the wood line of non blue vs. blued. There's no stampings on the stock. What time period would they have used these rifles? WWII? Wouldn't they have later used the T-53 as well? You opened up Pandora's Box

[qz2026]

Very nice pair now, which one shoots better?

Won't know that answer for a while. I don't mind shooting in the winter but it's really quite cold now even for "northern crowd".

[bunkysdad]

You got that right. Our high today is like 27 degrees or something crazy. I want to go to the range, but I want to stay warm and safe more.

[Rongo]

I have one just like it.

[BubbaDX]

Nice lookin M44's. I have one very similar to that I should get pictures of.

[graphic914]

Very nice, need to dust off the Mosin and take the old girl out

[qz2026]

You got that right. Our high today is like 27 degrees or something crazy. I want to go to the range, but I want to stay warm and safe more.

High of 16 today. 12 now. Normal for us but you guys in TX got to be going crazy... Well, that's global warming for ya...

[qz2026]

OK guys... You say you have ones just like this. How am I to know without pictures. Let's see all the white clones...

[BubbaDX]

I realized I have never posted pictures of my white M44 so I created a new thread over here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17728&p=275607#p275604

How is the metal on your M44's under the wood line? Mine has bluing under the wood, its only the exposed metal that is missing the bluing.

[qz2026]

I realized I have never posted pictures of my white M44 so I created a new thread over here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17728&p=275607#p275604

How is the metal on your M44's under the wood line? Mine has bluing under the wood, its only the exposed metal that is missing the bluing.

Same with both of mine. Exactly like yours. Everything protected by the stock is still blued.

[qz2026]

That is pretty close except for the year. Navy Arms too. Stampings seem the same. Weird. So, maybe there was special order guns from Izhevsk for these "white" models?

I think JYD is fun'n with us.

[tiberium51]

I really like that setup with having it in front of the TV like that.

[bunkysdad]

He's not funnin. They have literally had the blue finish worn off with age and not likely ever refurbed.