91/30 with an interesting history!

[Santosh]

Well, the Type 53 I showcased earlier didn’t work out (don’t ask…) but the perfect rifle has finally found it’s way into my collection. This is a 1929 marked Izhevsk 91/30 with some cool characteristics. I believe it to be a rare prototype!!! Jk, I know it’s an ex-dragoon…just a bit of a laugh. I can tell the ex-dragoon status by the gap in the sights and the pre-30 date. This dragoon was refitted to 91/30 status, and then, apparently, arsenal refurbished. It look to me like it had its furniture replaced with a post-war laminate stock, but I’m a little uncertain (chime in on this), and the receiver clearly bears the square repair mark with the crossed swords (which I believe is arsenal 7?). I would love if anyone knew something about the various stock marks…I couldn’t seem to find anything! Thanks for letting me show off! Additionally I should mention that bolt and receiver match, but buttplate has clearly been force-matched.

[SA1911a1]

The "MD" on the stock was the property mark of Mad Dog Mashnikov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. He is the man in the famous photo of the Soviet soldier standing atop the Chancellery taking down the Nazi flag. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

That is a really nice rifle. Congrats on your purchase.

[racerguy00]

Nice exdragoon. Looks like a standard hardwood stock to me. I like to look at what parts went into a rifle's refurb. Over the years I've found parts from every Russian/Soviet arsenal and era as well as US and some Hungarian made parts too.

[Santosh]

I think you may be right. Sorry. I’m very new at this. I grew less confident in it being laminate the longer I looked at it. Any surefire way to tell?