New to the mosin game need advice

[Surfinbird]

Howdy do , I picked up an m44 carbine in collectible condition ( I think) locally and would like to get a few more key examples. Right now I have my eye one a m39 sako home guard ? Sk. Y. Model.
But have a few questions . How is collectible condition determined? Matching numbers, original finish , and no alterations?
Second. Without breaking the bank. What are the most easily obtained and collectible models I should start with?
Thanks

[Junk Yard Dog]

Welcome to the board, your coming late to the game. That just means you can still get whatever you want but the price will be higher than it was for some of us years back. M44 carbine is a good start, carbines are always popular and available in the least numbers compared to the big rifle, they also vanish from dealer shelves fastest. That M39 would be a good second if you can get it for under $400, you don't go wrong with Finn built Mosins but they are the most expensive. Yes, original finish, or whatever the last finish was as applied by the government the rifle served, and no alterations unless they were updates installed by the government. You want to avoid any rifle that has been messed with by anyone not it's last government owner. Right now the Mosin 91/30 is still the most easy to obtain, but the days of the $80 91/30 are gone forever, $150-$250 since the sanctions against Russia cut off imports and the Ukrainian's seem to have run out or are hoarding the rifles themselves. You already have the carbine, but never walk away from a good carbine deal if you are lucky enough to find one. That's it, everything else will be expensive, but obtainable.

Unaltered since last served is everything in collecting millsurp firearms, once altered it's value drops into the toilet. Some who bought Mosins for $50 back in the day and then altered them are now finding out that the opportunity to profit by selling them for many times what they paid is gone. Collectors don't pay more than pocket change for hacked up junk. Once you have it you preserve it, basic cleaning after reading up on how here on the board, shoot it in moderation if you want, or not, both OK, then preserve it with light oils, and care.

[sonney]

I have a m44 I picked up out of town for 350. All numbers match and wood in very good shape. At the time it was a lot but you couldn't find one in my town. Nice rifle bore bright rifling good it has be counter bore. There is a m44 at a gun store in Terre Haute IN. 1955 is the year that looks like it has never be shot. He want 650 for it. Price has to equal want. It depends on how bad you want it.
Gander Mountain has 91/30 for 200. and they put them on sale for 169. sometimes you can get a 53 but they will be beat up for less than 200. Have a good day I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Sonney

[Junk Yard Dog]

1955 what? Not Soviet as they ended in 1948, It could be one of the rare clean type 53's, or from the buffer states. This would account for the price.

[ffeng31]

1955 M44 is excellent condition is likely Polish. Does it have a big 11 in a circle on the barrel shank? If it is Polish ,and is in unissued condition with matching numbers, then $650 is not out of line. They are quite sought after and some of the nicest M44's made.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Correct, I have one of the Pole unissued M44's, unfired and in the preservative since I brought it home 21 years ago, $650 would not do it for that rifle, not even close.

[steelbuttplate]

Your m-39 has SKY, does it have an S in a fancy circle? there are SKY's , and SKY Sako's, and just Sako. The circle S is the Sako mark. The dollar difference is not a lot, it depends on condition, matching numbers, other marks. Does it have HV stamped on the magazine? It should have a beeswax/linseed oil finish......DO NOT REMOVE...SBP....62 Mosins.

[Surfinbird]

Outstanding replys , thanks . I picked up the m44 all matching and original finish from what I could tell with my experience from Lugers for 150.00 I know I did pretty good on it . Came with a sling but I don't know if it's period/model correct. I don't have a Finnish yet but now I'm confident with the price and condition I should look for. I tried to put pics of m44 but it said it must be 0 pixels wide?

[Junk Yard Dog]

resize the pics to at least 640x480 before you try and upload them from your computer to the board and then they will post.

[bunkysdad]

Welcome to the forum surfinbird, with a nice M44 you are of to a good start. If you like to shoot, you will not regret buying a M39.

[djbuck1]

Welcome!

Just a few thoughts. As I believe has been indicated, the time when you could amass a sizeable collection of Mosin Nagants affordably is gone. You might find some bargains, but the days of going to Cabela's (for example) and having a rack of 40 M91/30 refurbs to look over -- including everything from ex-Dragoons, ex-snipers and both hex and round receivers-- have ended. In fact, there are no more refurbs easily available unless they are being resold at a price at least two times higher than last year at this time.

I suspect that you will have to do targeted buying. To do that, and to recognize a bargain, you need to educate yourself. Read everything you can on this site. You can also PM the experten on here who really know their stuff. They are incredibly generous with their time and advice.

I assume you have read the forum rules. You can't post a live auction on here and ask for advice, but some of the experts may give you guidance by PM.

Remember this is a preservation board. Don't even think about asking for advice that involves a permanent, irreversible alteration-- like refinishing a stock, or re-snipering an ex-sniper.

Finally, no matter the temptation don't sell anything. As is now being seen, replacement costs will be steep.

Good luck, and good hunting!

[husker51]

Welcome to the forum. Always good to have another enthusiast aboard! Its been almost three years now since I bought my first Mosin Nagant. I haven't been as big a collector as some but I have put a few together. I enjoyed picking up 91/30s once in a while, shopping at one of three cabela's in the state. I like the Finn rifles. I've purchased 3 so far. I have a 41' SAKO Polustuslaitos, 43' SK.Y and 41 VKT in the M39s. Bought my first Russian M44 last year in laminate stock(Love it). I enjoy the RMNF forum too. I look forward to seeing your new acquisitions in the future. So as I said, Welcome aboard!