The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I went to the gun show and bought a 1927 Tula ex dragoon rifle. It has been refurbished but the markings on the barrel shank look like they were stamped yesterday. It's an Inter Ordnance import and my question is the stock color. It has a very sloppy coat of the darkest shellac-almost black with red undertones. Is this normal? I know the guy I got it from and it hasn't been messed with since import. Any thoughts?

If it looks old, sloppy, maybe scratched and flaky, it's good ol Russian red/black, maybe painted with stuff outa the bottom of the paint can, more pigment than others. If they got some on the metal parts it's definitely USSR. Ivan used a 6" brush and drank Stoli.

Yes, your description fits to perfection. The stock doesn't appear to have a scratch or ding anywhere. It does have the box with slash refurb mark on the butt. The stock finish is on the metal work about an inch in all directions.

No Pic's?

Refurb stocks come in a wide range of shellac. You're describing one of the darker ones. A few years back when M91/30 refurbs were readily available, a local sporting goods store always had several, but always with that thick, dark shellac. Each was propped up on its buttplate, and each had a pile of black shellac bits around it.

Ain't nothing wrong wit that. Back in the good days I would hunt down those dark red rifles, they matched my dark red Enfields.

That is one shiny bolt!

That looks like a good one.

I have multiple examples with that same dark color, it's normal.

The stocks on these come in all kinds of different shades of red. That looks like a pretty nice one. I'd be interested in buying it if the price was reasonable if I were you.

Thanks for all the replies. I am happy to add this one to my modest collection.

Longcolt44 wrote:Ain't nothing wrong wit that. Back in the good days I would hunt down those dark red rifles, they matched my dark red Enfields.

Nothing wrong with that at all. Could have been a prewar but, oh well.

Nice one. Is there a square on the rear sight base like the one under the date?

Didn't notice it before, but you are correct. It's on the side of the sight base, same side as bolt handle. Any significance?

Any ideas on this "zero" on the receiver?

Don't know but I like the stamp under the s/n too