1942 Izhevsk 91/30 Romanian Instructie
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:50 am
In the 90's, a large influx of ex imperial Russian and USSR mosin rifles and carbines hit the surplus market from former Soviet satellite countries in eastern Europe. Commonly known as 'Balkan"' imports, these rifle exhibit a huge range of traits but generally share several common features such as scrubbed and defaced crests on the M91s, mixed parts that are sometimes forced matched, and are generally in well used condition. A small percentage of these rifles were marked "INSTRUCTIE".
Contrary to popular belief, these Romanian-import rifles were not intended entirely for training purposes. In the 60s, Romania was becoming more and more nationalistic and began to push back against the Soviet influence in their country. After the failed Hungarian revolution in hte 50s and seeing the Soviets invade and put down the Czechoslovakian uprising, the Romanians feared a similar fate. Older obsolete but functional arms, many dating from WW1, were pulled from storage and were prepared for use by local militias and civilian volunteers to resist a possible Soviet invasion. These rifles, predominately M91s, but with a smattering of other models including 91/30s, were usually marked INSTRUCTIE on the butt stock with a red painted band. Some other variations including INSTR in white paint, INSTRUCTIE stamped on the receiver, and stocks without the red stripe also exist.
The pictured Instructie rifle is unusual in that it is a 91/30 model as opposed to the far more common M91. Produced at Izhevsk in 1942, it shows the typical rough machining of that time, just after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941. The rifle also shows signs of post-war refurbishment in that it has the boxed refurb stamp on the barrel shank. The rifle has seen heavy use after refurb with little bluing remaining. The bore is dark and dirty, and the stock and handguard have many dents and dings. The front handguard endcap is missing. The buttplate is a force-match to the barrel serial number.
This rifle is also unusual in that it displays both the typical INSTRUCTIE stamp on the butt, but also INSTR stenciled onto the other side. The stock also sports an apparent rack number. All in all, this rifle is a very uncommon variant of an interesting and hard to find group of Mosin Nagant rifles.
Discussion Section
Discussion Section 2
Discussion Section
Discussion Section 2
Contrary to popular belief, these Romanian-import rifles were not intended entirely for training purposes. In the 60s, Romania was becoming more and more nationalistic and began to push back against the Soviet influence in their country. After the failed Hungarian revolution in hte 50s and seeing the Soviets invade and put down the Czechoslovakian uprising, the Romanians feared a similar fate. Older obsolete but functional arms, many dating from WW1, were pulled from storage and were prepared for use by local militias and civilian volunteers to resist a possible Soviet invasion. These rifles, predominately M91s, but with a smattering of other models including 91/30s, were usually marked INSTRUCTIE on the butt stock with a red painted band. Some other variations including INSTR in white paint, INSTRUCTIE stamped on the receiver, and stocks without the red stripe also exist.
The pictured Instructie rifle is unusual in that it is a 91/30 model as opposed to the far more common M91. Produced at Izhevsk in 1942, it shows the typical rough machining of that time, just after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941. The rifle also shows signs of post-war refurbishment in that it has the boxed refurb stamp on the barrel shank. The rifle has seen heavy use after refurb with little bluing remaining. The bore is dark and dirty, and the stock and handguard have many dents and dings. The front handguard endcap is missing. The buttplate is a force-match to the barrel serial number.
This rifle is also unusual in that it displays both the typical INSTRUCTIE stamp on the butt, but also INSTR stenciled onto the other side. The stock also sports an apparent rack number. All in all, this rifle is a very uncommon variant of an interesting and hard to find group of Mosin Nagant rifles.
Discussion Section
Discussion Section 2
Discussion Section
Discussion Section 2