I am brand new here so I hope it's the right place to post this to seek your expertise. I just purchased my first Mosin Nagant 91/30 PU. I got it recently at a hunting/fishing sporting goods store in cottage country about 2 hours near where I live here in Canada.
I realize it is risky to buy without research but did do my initial best to get a lot of info (including all the great info on this forum) before purchasing it, and traded a legally deactivated gun so got it for a good price - I hope! No one at the store knows the history of the gun. I am a reasonably informed WW2 milsurp collector, but am a newbie on this forum and know NOTHING about Mosins and even less about Mosin Snipers. Any help to enlighten/confirm as to whether this is a refurb, post-war re-arsenal, or bubba fake would be greatly appreciated and thank you! Here's the info and detailed pictures. Sorry about the long post and many photos...Mosin-Nagant 91/30 PU Sniper
TULA Arsenal dated 1944
1. Receiver is marked “CH” (partially struck 'H'). Serial number is “PM559” matching on Receiver, bottom Mag Plate, and Bolt (there are no Electric Penciling marks on any parts anywhere on the rifle that I can see).
2. There are no import markings from what I can see.
3. I don't see any refurb marks but then again I don't know what they all look like.
4. I disassembled the bolt and it has Tula markings and other fine stampings - again no EP on any bolt parts.
5. Scope is marked with Hammer & Sickle (appears to be Krasnogorsk Plant from my surfing on the web), has no date, and numbered “N128671". Scope finish appears to have been crudely hand re-painted in some kind of black glossy paint over the original finish which ended up covering the original scope plant markings (markings are hard to see in the photos but definitely there). A stamp of same serial number (minus the"N") but "whited-in" over the black paint appears on the top of the scope. The white color in the numbers have "yellowed" in color over time.
6. The scope has round head top screws. Front scope retaining ring seems to be made of a different metal (slightly a different color on the inner ring near the front lens) where the paint does not adhere well at all compared to the rest of the scope. I cannot see any refurb marks (e.g. slash in box) or other markings of any kind on thescope at all, but I have not taken it off the mount.
7. Sight picture is clear but very dirty (there are some minor imperfections and nicks in the glass).
8. Turret Knobs move the reticle, but the horizontal reticle is oddly at a very slight but noticeable angle towards the upper right (about 3-5 degrees) and not level with the gun's iron sights (again I have not removed the scope from the mount).
9. Scope Mount is marked “940” (with two tiny preceding Cyrillics which I do not understand). The rear of the mount facing the rifle has machining or grinding marks. I have not disassembled the mount from the rifle and do not intend to, so cannot see any marks or stampings in these hidden areas. Knobs are very worn down on the edges.
10. Stock is marked “709” on left side of buttstock, with no other stampings I can see.
11. Number on left side shank above stock line is “4451256”. Bluing appears inside the stampings in same manner as the other stampings.
12. Butt Plate has stamp “92F7”(?) but over-stamped with “408”. Butt plate seems to have been replaced carelessly as it is not aligned neatly to the wood stock.
13. There are lots of tiny markings on the metal parts that are shown in the photos but has tiny TULA star marked on the rear Barrel band, floor plate, and other smaller parts.
14. The finish of the metal is very smooth (particularly the receiver), with other areas showing very fine chisel markings such just under the rear sight. It is worn through though with very little bluing left. The rear sights seem to have a bit more of the bluing left. There is overall wear and dirt in all crevices and has not been fired or cleaned on surface for some time.
15. The finish of the stock is matt with no shellack or protective finish left on the wood whatsoever. Scratches here and there.
16. I have not yet fired it so do not know accuracy (bore is fair, crown is good and not counter bored).
17. The action is very smooth with a trigger pull that has little travel distance and very light.
18. Leather sling is present but do not know if it is an original ww2 sling. It has mold on metal parts.There are no stampings on the sling.
19. Overall condition when purchased was dirty and not cleaned (bore was also very dirty and needed good cleaning)! The stock screws were even loose but tightened up nicely.
Pics tell the rest...
Thanks for the expertise of everyone. Great resource on tbhis site. Either way I am happy with my purchase as I have always wanted an Mosin-Nagant rifle hanging in my den! I may also post this to other sites for further eyes - thanks again!
P.S. Anyone got an original WW2 PU scope canvass cover and lens cap for sale?
Kagero43
