Discussion Section
The first aspect that one will notice is that it is not the usual fare that one sees with Soviet Sniper - original non refurbished, post war refurbished, reproduction, forgery, or otherwise. It can certainly be said that it is different, no matter its country of issue (if any), or path to its current condition. And there can be no definitive declaration as to its origin. Inferences can be drawn from its subtle clues, but its provenance is unknown, and that's the bottom line.
What is known.
1. It is masterfully constructed, and extremely well preserved.
2. I have only seen one other gun like it.
3. It is controversial.
4. It is gorgeous, and in my collection!
Here is the link to the original thread. DISCUSSION
The most prominent feature that separates this gun from the rest is the barrel shank marking, and notably, the serial number. It is not stamped with the usual Soviet sequence of "No., two Cyrillic letters, followed by three numbers". Instead, it is uncharacteristically and neatly stamped with just two letters (Cyrillic? Or not?), followed by four numbers. The shank has NOT been scrubbed and restamped.
All other numbers are also font matching, as well, with no scrubbed parts. The top of the tang also has some unusual stamps.
The second unusual feature is the stock. It is arctic birch with war-time sling slots (no rear escutcheon with front half-liner), no finger relief cut for the rear barrel band, stamped with both the Izhevsk acceptance cartouche and the undated Tula star, and covered with an oil finish instead of shellac. All edges are remarkably sharp (not heavily sanded), and it exhibits no major flaws, scratches or gouges. One could say that it was installed in "like new" condition.
Interestingly, the interior inletting has been oil finished, as well.
All parts are Tula marked, including the tang - with an illegible date stamp.
A third unusual feature - no import marks on the barrel, no importer serial stamps on the left side receiver, nor any scrubbed evidence of them.
The last unusual feature is the finish of the metal on the barreled action. It is buffed smooth on the exposed portions of the barrel and receiver, and deeply reblued in a high luster appearance. The top surface of the rear sight leaf is stripped of all bluing, and appears in the white. Although buffing did occur, the original milling and lathe tooling cuts can still be seen.
Barrel is the top one pictured.
The optic package is not era correct for the gun. The scope base and mount are post-war, and the 1943-built Progress scope has a 19[X]65 stamped refurbishment date. The mount has what appears to be a date "1958" stamped on the outside surface, which is not found on any other mount that I have researched.
So, the Sniper has been presented. I do have theories of its origin that have been presented in the DISCUSSION, but I will keep them unspoken here in the showcase. If interested, click the link.
Meanwhile, please enjoy a superbly finished Sniper. And thanks for looking.
Discussion Section