Make - Soviet (Izhevsk Factory)
Model - M1891/30
Year - 1934 Barrel, 1933 receiver
Importer - Century
Seller - Private seller, $100. (originally a Big 5 rifle)
Stock - Typical postwar style, but with some nice stripes
Serial Numbers - All Matching (Forced Match)
Parts - Mixed Tula and Izhevsk
Counterbored - No
Rifling - As new, with excellent crown
General Notes - The magazine has heavy blued-over pitting. Otherwise, the rifle is in like-new condition.
Historic Status - This is a 1934 Izhevsk 91/30 with the "PM-86" marking. This is one of five known Izhevsk 91/30s with this marking. There is one known Tula "PM-86" 91/30, it's also a 1934. The marking is an unknown marking at this time, and it is unknown if it is related to the more common "PM" marking.
To date, this marking has only been seen on early 1934 dated 91/30s. The serials for the Izhevsk rifles are #146 (mine), 154(owned by Ted, the owner of 7.62x54r.net), 163 (pictured on 7.62x54r.net), and two in the 400 range. The 34 Tula PM 86 is #241.
It also has the "No" abbreviation before the serial number, which to my knowledge wasn't ever used by Izhevsk, except on the PM 86 rifles. It's common on earlier Tula rifles.
7.62x54r.net has this to say about the PM-86 rifles: "This is an Izhevsk M91/30 that has the "No" symbol before the serial number. It also has an unusual "PM 86" mark whose meaning is unknown and it's possible it is one of a special series that were numbered outside of regular production. Another PM 86 M91/30 has been reported numbered 437."
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