The bore looked to be better than that rather sorry 1942 Izhevsk that I had bought a few weeks ago so I decided to take a punt on this Mosin Nagant. After the obligatory 10 day wait, I got the rifle home and started to wipe it down with the recommended citrus cleaner. When the external grease was removed, the finish on the stock looked to have been slopped on after the rifle was assembled! Look at the pictures of the magazine, barrel bands and other places. The shellac was rudely applied with a brush with no attempt made to clean up the mess. The bands look to be painted into place.
The finish on my 1942 Izhevsk was obviously slathered on before assembly, but this one was done after assembly. Why the difference? Vodka? Right now I'm thinking that I may not take this one to bits for a good clean risking breaking the painted on joints. The very sloppy job on the finish tells us something about the Soviet system in the Cold War era and that is worth preserving. Too bad the finish is flaking off due to poor surface preparation.
Another interesting difference is the finish on the metal. The 42 Izhevsk had the barrel and receiver painted black and that paint is now flaking off. This 43 Izhevsk has a nice blued finish that looks like it might be here to stay. Once again, why the difference?
Discussion Section
The stock is the late war model with no reenforcement on the buttstock sling hole. The front just has the simple crimped ferrule. I love the black paint spattered over the buttstock.
The top of the buttshock has a rough area that looks & feels like it was charred before it was slopped with the shellac finish.
These four pictures showing the serial number stampings. They look like they "match" in style fairly closely. Could this have been a complete rifle refurbed as a complete unit?
Discussion Section