Imperial Russian Mosins.

[snayperskaya]

I have a hankering for a pre-1917 Imperial Russian Mosin to go with my '39 Izhevsk 91/30 and was wondering what is the earliest dated Mosin anyone on here has got.

I see a lot of WW2 dated 91/30s and M44s for sale at the moment but Imperial examples seem thin on the ground so does anyone know a source for a nice shootable example in good condition?, also whats the going rate for one?.I would ideally like one in as original condition as possible, with as many matching numbers as possible and the rear sight marked in Arshins.

[Blighty]

1896. Although one of my Finns has a receiver made in between '92 and '94. ,

Come up regularly on Egun but then you have the faf and expense of paying someone to bring it in.

They all come with an Arshin marked rear sight. The Arshins will also be crossed out unless you find one that dodged Finland (highly unlikely).

[snayperskaya]

1896..... a real old lady, have you got some pics please?.

So my chances of finding a non-Finnish capture one is slim?.

[Blighty]

Problem is that your lot used them hard then scrapped them all after WW11.

Putting kids to bed so longer reply later.

[Blighty]

The first M91s came with the flat rear sight, no sling escutcheons or cross bolt through the finger grooves. Finding one of those would be quite a quest. See below.

The best compromise would be something that passed through Finland. This one missed the cross bolt and sling escutcheon update. Note the sling swivels that we're added by the Austro-Hungarians when they captured it. It was then sold to Finland after the Great War.

The M91 was already obsolete by the time the M91/30 was introduced (although the Konovalov curved rear sight soldiered on with the Dragoon until the post WW2 refurbishment programmes finally replaced them). You can find pictures of Leningrad militia carrying M91s but by then they had seen hard use through the Great War as well as the the Revolution so they were pretty much worn out. If you consider that the Soviets favoured the PPSH and the M38/44 then the old long gun starts to look seriously old school.

M91 rifles that served in the Balkans seem to pop up in the States however I've never seen one here.

Comrade. Badger and the Guinea pig botherer have seen the light. Are you next?

[saddler]

Comrade. Badger and the Guinea pig botherer have seen the light. Are you next?

But is he worthy of such Finnish goodness?
We'll have to arrange "a questioning"

Half way through a movie? BAD!!
Which one?

See my thread for the latest Finnish books - the new one on 7.62 bullets is really good

[lasbrisas]

I have a hankering for a pre-1917 Imperial Russian Mosin to go with my '39 Izhevsk 91/30 and was wondering what is the earliest dated Mosin anyone on here has got.

I see a lot of WW2 dated 91/30s and M44s for sale at the moment but Imperial examples seem thin on the ground so does anyone know a source for a nice shootable example in good condition?, also whats the going rate for one?.I would ideally like one in as original condition as possible, with as many matching numbers as possible and the rear sight marked in Arshins.

You and me both, I fancy one as well as I already have a sniper, I saw one at Bisley in October and wish I had bought it now a it was only about £300 or maybe less !

[snayperskaya]

I'd take a Finn if I can't find a full Russian, but an original Russian is what I'd prefer purely out of preference.

I'm in no rush and can wait until the right rifle comes along.....

[Blighty]

I think that what I was trying to say was that you won't. Not an unadulterated, card carrying, Russian M91. Very, very rare.

The M91 was the main battle rifle used by the Finns throughout WW2. They kept them going because it was what they had and that they were hoovering up all the rifles captured by those who fought the Russians during the Great War.

The Soviets recycled the receivers into 91/30s and barrels into pah pah shah burp guns.

Believe me, I've looked.

[snayperskaya]

I think that what I was trying to say was that you won't. Not an unadulterated, card carrying, Russian M91. Very, very rare.

The M91 was the main battle rifle used by the Finns throughout WW2. They kept them going because it was what they had and that they were hoovering up all the rifles captured by those who fought the Russians during the Great War.

The Soviets recycled the receivers into 91/30s and barrels into pah pah shah burp guns.

Believe me, I've looked.

I see, so it it possible to find an example that is "less Finnish" or did they all have the same Finnish modifications?.......basically by buying a Finn how close is it possible to get to an original Russian? (hope I'm making sense).