The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hi, I just bought a '39 91/30 Tula in great condition. Will someone kindly explain the red serial numbers on the barrel shank. Thanks Chris

'Just one of the intriguing, "Mosin Mysteries."

For some reason the commies saw fit to highlight the numbers, this is typically done to make them more easily visible. Some collectors will use a white crayon, or chalk to highlight marking so they show up better in photographs, the commies always did prefer red.

Does it have a 25 inside of a triangle stamp on it?

It does not, It does not seem to have any markings other than the star, date and number. I see you are a friend of Eric's also. Cool.

ground ape wrote:It does not, It does not seem to have any markings other than the star, date and number. I see you are a friend of Eric's also. Cool.

Which Eric?

Eric Blair alias George Orwell.

ground ape wrote:Eric Blair alias George Orwell.

Cool. I was ignorant of that fact.

Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522

I found a can of actual cyanide when I cleaned out the barn if anyone needs a bit.

WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522

I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.

jimpierce7 wrote:

WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522

I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.

I tried that and the walls started breathing.

millman wrote:

jimpierce7 wrote:

WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522

I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.

I tried that and the walls started breathing.

LMAO!!! JIm you did it wrong you shouldn't be able to type this, Eric watch my hand as a wave it back and forth. Do you see it?

WeldonHunter wrote:

millman wrote:

jimpierce7 wrote:

WeldonHunter wrote:Ok I'll refresh everyone's memory. It's cyanide so the soldier carrying it can kill themselves if they are about to get caught. Sheeseh don't you guys remember nothin''? http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=7522

I licked mine and all it did was make my tongue numb.

I tried that and the walls started breathing.

LMAO!!! JIm you did it wrong you shouldn't be able to type this, Eric watch my hand as a wave it back and forth. Do you see it?

My wife saw me lick mine and became very irate saying "enough is enough". It's time to choose, them or me!!
I'll miss her

Does your shank have a /25\ stamp on it? This represented refurbishment at a still not location-wise identified, field artillery depot, likely in the Ukraine. For some reason, they highlighted the shank numbers, butt plate numbers and rear sight graduants. They are fairly uncommon although not rare. I kind of like these...

I have a 1939 Tula 91/30 with orangeish- white in the serial number. I figured it was chalk when I bought it but it looks like paint. Its a PW Arms import if that means anything. I'm still waiting for some spare time during daylight to get some decent photos of my rifles.

These red letter rifles were around long before PW became the primary importer of Mosins. I believe one of the members here was keeping track of the red letter rifles.

I've had a few "reds" that were not /25\ stamped on the shank. It's anyone's guess as to why some facilities painted shanks or rear sight gradients red...

No, qz, there are no such marks, but there are five very small circles with maybe the letter D in the centre stamped into the shank and two on the cocking knob. Cheers