The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I bought my first Mosin 91/30 a couple months ago. I had no idea what to look for except a hex receiver and matching numbers. It was kind of spur of the moment, local gun shops were closed due to covid (NY) and one shop advertised they got 24 Mosins in and had a deal going and to call. I called, they let me come in by appointment, I had first choice and found one that looked great. Best I could tell anyway, under a lot of grease. It worked out and Im happy with it. Low serial #, stamped matching numbers, hex receiver, 1934 Izhevsk, excellent bore, VG+ wood, orange (cyanide) coloring in the numbers (lol), etc.

So to make a long story short, I went back and they’re all still there. They’re priced high, but they had an unadvertised special when I bought mine. I looked through them again and saw a bunch of hex that are stamped matched, and had even older dates. 1924, etc. in doing some basic research I found out the older dates are dragoon’s converted to 91/30’s. Ex-Dragoon’s I guess they’re called. I don’t want another run of the mill 91/30, but is an Ex-Dragoon a step up from what I have and what should I look for when buying? Any special characteristics? Some had laminated stocks, etc. I’d see about getting the better price again too.

Thanks.

What you are buying is the M1891/30 rifle that has a barreled receiver that was once used in a dragoon rifle. The dragoon and the 91/30 share a barrel length so all that needed to be updated was the front and rear sight, and the barrel bands. During the post ww2 period all of the rifles having older dragoon style sights were updated to the current standard at the time. They didn't just stop using the older sights in 1930, use of them continued for several years after 1930 as old parts in supply were used up, and they tooled up to make new parts. This was in the deep dark days of the worldwide depression, the Soviets didn't have the money to just change everything right away. I have seen rifles dated as late as 1933 that show signs of having used the old sight, and I am sure some after then probably used them also . You are safe in assuming any 91/30 dated before 1932 has a barreled receiver that once was on a dragoon rifle. The ex dragoon is just another 91/30 with some extra cool history to it. Laminated stocks same thing, most will be post war replacement stocks used during the refurbishments.

If they have a 1919 Tula, that's the one to get. Are any of them Finnish captures?

If I were in the market anymore, I would want to make sure that the stock was a prewar stock that was appropriate for the rifle. I know that the stock would likely be a replacement from refurbishment but, to me, it's best to have the appropriate stock on the rifle. This is what I would look for.

qz2026 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:30 am If I were in the market anymore, I would want to make sure that the stock was a prewar stock that was appropriate for the rifle. I know that the stock would likely be a replacement from refurbishment but, to me, it's best to have the appropriate stock on the rifle. This is what I would look for.

What do I look for in a prewar stock?

GColloton wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:58 pm

qz2026 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:30 am If I were in the market anymore, I would want to make sure that the stock was a prewar stock that was appropriate for the rifle. I know that the stock would likely be a replacement from refurbishment but, to me, it's best to have the appropriate stock on the rifle. This is what I would look for.

What do I look for in a prewar stock?

The stock originally issued with this rifle was what is called a prewar stock. The escutcheons are screwed in vs. pressed in or nothing but a tab. I'm not saying to go out and find a stock and change what you have. I'm saying that I would look for the gun with the correct stock already on it. See: app.php/page/97