Original metal finish on M44

[rakysk]

Yesterday I went to LGS to pick up my Nagant revolver (posted couple pictures in other section of the Forum). The guy at the shop showed me Mosin Nagant M44, still in cosmoline and had original metal finish. Stock was war time, beat up and looked like had no shellac applied on it. Could not check the bore, it was filled with cosmoline.

What is the reason for original metal finish?

What would be OK price for not “pretty”, but functional M44?

[JayPoc]

We'd need a lot more info...is it Russian? Bulgarian? Chinese type 53? By original metal finish you mean grey steel as opposed to blued?

[rakysk]

It was Russian, 1945.
Yes, I meant grey steel, not blued.

[Lee-online]

There are plenty of these out there, where they came from, depends, all different countries used them.

Last fall I picked up 2 from Aim, not refurbed and well worn. Also most were 1945.

These were packed with grease, matching numbers except the bolt. They cost $169 each but sold out in a few hours.



How much are they asking?

[Junk Yard Dog]

By the sound of it that rifle would be from the last Balkans hoard to come in a couple of years ago. Type 53's and Soviet M44's, all issued rifles, some rough, some not, but all with use on them.

[qz2026]

I really like these rifles - A lot. Most of these have the original finishes on them, are nearly in the white, non matching, non refurbished and some have pristine bores. As JYD says, some are not so good. I like them because they are as close to "as issued" as you will find in most cases. You have a 50/50 chance of a good bore underneath that grease. I would think $150 or less would be a good price. Here are my favorites...

[Junk Yard Dog]

Not all may be good as shooters, some may look run over by a tank, all are still relics of history.

[rakysk]

Thanks for all info.
Planning to go back tomorrow and if it's still available, probably will get it.
I like the way it looks - grey steel with dark war time, beat up stock.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The dark is from all the blood it has absorbed over the years, being a Balkans used rifle it's seen some particularly vicious fighting.

[davesstuff1]

[rakysk]

Went back to LGS and got it.
Lot of cosmoline.
I know there is plenty of info online how clean it of, but any quick advice is appreciated.
Posting few pictures now. More to come after done with cleaning.

[qz2026]

There is plenty of information as how to clean these rifle in previous posts and in the wiki. Regardless, you will do fine and thoroughly enjoy this rifle. Post some pictures when you are done. Congrats on purchasing a fine carbine.

[Junk Yard Dog]

It's grease, wipe it off with rags.

[bunkysdad]

Nice, very nice. And this is how a thread quickly morphs into a huge conversation with 100 different opinions on cleaning methods!

[qz2026]

Nice, very nice. And this is how a thread quickly morphs into a huge conversation with 100 different opinions on cleaning methods!

I purposely didn't go there

[zeebill]

Nice representative rifle! Congrats! As far as cleaning we all have our "right" ways to do it and they all probably work just fine. So pick your choice and have at it so you can safety check it and get it to the range and enjoy it!!!! Congrats again! Bill

[rakysk]

When cleaning from cosmoline I found few spots with corrosion. Besides others there are 4 spots on the outside of barrel.
Would you do something with it or leave it the way it is?
(Bore is I think in very good condition; after few patches, last one came out clean/white)