New M44

[Bogie]

Not planning on buying anything, my son, a friend, and I went to the OGCA show in Wilmington Ohio. I have a 1943 91-30 and have been looking online at M44's. I saw several M44's at the show and this Hungarian one caught my eye. I know that 02 is the country code for Hungary, and that circled B means the Budapest arsenal. I am curious as to what the other stamped codes and cartouches mean. Also, is the leather sling correct for this gun? The person that sold the gun to me said that it was unissued. Judging by the condition and the mirror bright bore I believed him. It is an awesome shooter. All comments and information are appreciated.





[imghttp://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y450/berkshire225/Mosin/075%20Small_zpsk0lcpgvy.jpg][/img]

[Ironnewt]

Does look rather nice. Congrats

[Longcolt44]

Nice find, I bought it's brother in row J at the same show on Sunday.

[qz2026]

This is a very nice Hungarian. You don't see them very often in this pristine condition and matching. Congratulations on this purchase. There are very few like this out there. I haven't seen one with the stock and metal cartouches that are on this rifle. The circle 77 on the bolt head is unusual as well as the circle 88 on the trigger guard. And, you don't often see any stock cartouches.

Longcolt, yours looks to have a bit of elm in the stock. Very nice too.

Overall...

[King Johhny]

[SA1911a1]

That is a really nice find. Congrats!

[Luthierseye]

WOW!! Rare find! You did well!

[Bogie]

Purely for curiosity, any idea what the following mean:
1. The circled 77 on the bolt - there is also a circled 71 under the bolt handle.
2. The H and the R on the stock.
3. The circled 88 on the tang.
4. There are three stamps on the side of the receiver - one is definitely a circled B, the second one looks like it could be a poorly stamped circle B, the third looks like a circled P.

Thanks!

Tom

[Bogie]

Longcolt44 - looks great! Have you taken it out for a test run yet? I like the look of the stock on your M44 better than mine.

[davesstuff1]

[ffeng31]

Very nice Hungarian, congrats !! .... I do believe the sling to be Romanian, and quite collectible in it's own right.

[jimpierce7]

Very nice, very clean.

[Longcolt44]

Longcolt44 - looks great! Have you taken it out for a test run yet? I like the look of the stock on your M44 better than mine.

To tell the truth I haven't had time to really check it out. I am in the middle of researching the other rifle I bought at the show. Check your PM message page.

[Bogie]

Other than the common 2, 02, and circled B, any ideas on what the marks in the stock and steel are?

[King Johhny]

Nice, like the finish better then the darker ones.