Interesting Find

[Chico1968]

Not long ago I became a new SKS owner and fell in love with them, was at an estate sale on Fri and was looking for some old hand tools, the lady who was looking after the sale for the family said to look in the shed/workshop....was going through some junk of old garden tools and old power saw parts outboard motor parts and so on, when I seen what looked like an old horse blanket rolled up with something in it standing up in the corner, well as I started to unwrap the blanket to see what was in it I couldn’t believe what I saw.....found what appeared to be a Mosin Nagant.....only going by pics I’ve seen, been looking for one since getting my SKS, quickly wrapped it back up with the blanket and preceded back to the house to ask the lady what she knew about it.....said she didn’t even know there was a gun there, I asked if it was for sale and she said to make an offer without her even wanting to take a look at it. Had no idea what it was worth or even what to offer, asked her to give me a price and without even thinking she said $100.00 .....being pretty sure it was a Mosin Nagant but no idea on value, I did think it was worth more so offered the lady $150.
she gladly accepted it and thanked me on behalf of the family. So here’s some pictures of it, looks different then any pics that I’ve seen, stock and barrel are shorter....think it may have been modified. Any help would be great,

Thanks, Cheers

[steelbuttplate]

Good find. You should be able to find a M-44 complete stock for that and still have $100 less in it than it's worth.

[Junk Yard Dog]

It's a 91/59 that has had it's stock cut down by some Bubba. 91/59's that haven't had Bubba at them are $350-0$400 or maybe more today as they are not common. These were 91/30 rifles that were cut down to M38 size in the late 50's by somebody behind the Iron Curtain, who did it is still a matter for debate, as is why. Finding a stock will be difficult, the 91/30 has a thicker barrel contour than the real M38 carbine ( a stock also hard to find) so it isn't a simple matter of swapping in a carbine stock. Someone good with woodwork could find a forend section off a bad stock, bands and band springs, nosecap, nosecap screw and handguard then attach it to the existing cut stock. Problem here is the stock is laminated wood, less common than the hardwood stocks on the 91/59. You may have to leave it as is, you bought it right so you aren't out anything, and at least Bubba left the metal alone. Hmmmm…….on closer examination it looks like they used the M44 stock on this build, I see a bayonet cutout on the side. The M44 does have a thicker barrel than the M38, could be another M44 stock will swap in without alteration, and is easier to find than the M38 stock, but don't expect it to be cheap, you already got lucky enough with this rifle.

[Chico1968]

Thanks very much for the info, when I first seen it I knew it was too short and the stock looked funny to me from pictures I’ve seen of them. Haven’t taken it out to try yet, hope it works. So if I’m understanding right someone cut the original stock down or is this a different stock, measured the barrel and its 20” wonder if it was cut down as well.....will that effect the operation of it....shorter stock and barrel reduced range and more recoil or am I wrong......how much would I be looking at for a replacement stock ?
and is it worth changing back.

Thanks,

Cheers

[JC 762]

the barrel looks unaltered ,the bolt handle has been turned down and that stocked was worked on in the grip area as well. I would recommend finding a M44 stock, handguard , bands and maybe a bolt handle . Good find ,enjoy it.

[qz2026]

It certainly is a 91/59 that was significantly altered for only reasons that bubba would understand. The bolt, if original, was turned down. You can tell if it was original to the rifle if the serial number on the bolt matches the number on the barrel shank. It looks to have been mounted in a Russian laminated stock (could have been a 91/30 stock that was cut down. I am fairly certain that none of the 91/59’s were mounted in a laminated stock. At least, I’ve never seen one. You will see a number of them that were put in M-44 stocks however. As for it’s value, there is no collectibility value remaining based on the changes that were made. That said, for what you paid, you did alright. These are known to be good shooters so I if the bore is in reasonable condition, it should be a good shooter.

[B24]

Doesn't look like any of the numbers match. Were all the numbers force matched on all the 91\59s? I would
have to dig mine out to be 100% sure but I think the numbers were ground and restamped.

[SA1911a1]

That looks like a heat and bend bubba bolt. I have undone the process with some success. However, if it doesn't match, I would find another bolt and make sure to check headspace.

[jindodog]

Interesting, a bubba'ed version of an already "bubba'ed" rifle.

[bunkysdad]

I would just keep it as it is. It's a fair deal unless you start throwing money into it then you'll go upside down. No need to straighten the bolt handle back out. It won't increase anything and as is will make a good shooting rifle. That's a cool way to find one. Did you also get the horse blanket?

[qz2026]

Doesn't look like any of the numbers match. Were all the numbers force matched on all the 91\59s? I would
have to dig mine out to be 100% sure but I think the numbers were ground and restamped.

Yes 99.9%. I do have one with a mismatched bolt, however. It was just to pretty to resist...

[qz2026]

Interesting, a bubba'ed version of an already "bubba'ed" rifle.

Careful... That statement to rile up some folks...

[Chico1968]

Hey all, thanks for the info...and no never grabbed the horse blanket, was pretty heavy and had a bit of an odor to it .....lol
Now all that being said I found an ad on the local classifieds that caught my eye. The gentleman doesn’t have any pics with the ad, I called him and he said both in good condition and works fine and very accurate. Here’s a pic of the ad....now the ad says their both short so I’m guessing they would be similar to the one I just bought, would they be worth grabbing or not....I do understand theres probably no collective value. Just looking for some thoughts on them.

Thanks Again, Cheers

[qz2026]

I'd have no thoughts about it unless I could see it and preferably fondle it. If nothing else, you should maybe drive up there and take a look. At this point, you really have no idea what these are... Does anyone have any idea what a Russian short rifle is? This ad, to me, screams red flag...

[steelbuttplate]

Were it me, I would at least ask "does it have a bayonet or lug where one has been". If not, you could be looking at anything from a M 38 to a 1907 carbine. Probably not the later, but who knows. I try to find out as much as I can.

[Chico1968]

Going to have a look see tomorrow evening, will post pics and what I find out....just figured were it said short ones maybe similar to the one I just purchased. For what he’s asking I can’t see them being much, one never knows though.

Thanks, Cheers

[jindodog]

Interesting, a bubba'ed version of an already "bubba'ed" rifle.

Careful... That statement to rile up some folks...

I apologize. No offense intended.

[Brake Weight]

Going to have a look see tomorrow evening, will post pics and what I find out....just figured were it said short ones maybe similar to the one I just purchased. For what he’s asking I can’t see them being much, one never knows though.

Thanks, Cheers

Did you go look? I’m curious as well.

[Chico1968]

Hey all, didn’t get a look at them, when I called before heading out got no answer and with it being a 90 min drive round trip probably be a waste of gas, that being said I did finally get a hold of him and managed to get a pic of mine to him, that I posted here and he said they were almost the exact same ....said one had a light coloured stock and the other a darker one, but both were stocks like mine. Don’t really need anymore of that modified type, would like to get a complete original one along with the original sniper scope but probably out of my price range at this current time.

Cheers,