The 91/30 surplus supply starting to dry up?

Dunhams had a coupon this weekend so I decided to finally break down and get one of the laminated stocked examples they rarely put on sale.

In the process, I noticed something I haven't seen as of yet with these rifles. Half the examples they had for sale had very faint, VERY faint electro-penciling of the serial numbers on the bolts, magazine bottom and butt plate. The only part with original hard stamped numbers is the barrel. Many of these had no numbers at all other than the pencil, others had crossed out numbers. It could just be the batch they got in or else someone is starting to assemble the leftovers from parts. Anyone else seeing this?

The one I ended up buying was the only one that had all matching stamped serials.

Electro pencil numbers are very common on ex Red Army guns. Both my M-N rifles are hard stamped. However I have a Gustlaff Werk 1943 Mauser K98. Which was captured by the Red Army and then rebuilt. Action and wood work are hard stamped. New trigger group ( dated 1941) is electro pencilled with serial number. Barrel bands have an old number deleted by electro pencil. Also have a 1952 Tokarev TT33 pistol. The mags are electro pencilled. Same situation with my PPSH41 drum mags. My guns are deactivated, purchased most of them from Ryton Arms. England. They sell a lot of ex Red Army guns. Some were captured or in the case of Thompson guns ex lend lease.
Hope the above helps. Kind regards, Lester

I just bought a hex receiver, laminated stock 91/30 two weekends ago at the gun show. The guy had boxes of them for $119 each. Mine is an Izmash, included as issued stuff like bayo and cleaning kit, and was clean of cosmo.

Jim

The electropenciling on these is so faint they can't be read. I have a Russian capture K98 and it is stenciled very strongly and clearly. I took the one I purchased apart today and found it to be in excellent shape with a very nice bore. It was hard to tell when I purchased it due to the cosmoline.

I Know Dunhams has no current shortage of them but this latest batch came from another supplier and that was where the quality drop off occurred.

Jim, I wish I was at your gun show. Up here I couldn't find a laminated stock for less than $125, add the hex and they wanted $20 more and the numbers were mismatched. I ended up paying $129 at Dunhams for a 1942. Stock looks great though.

Funny side story. There was a Gander's Mountain right next to Dunhams. They share the parking lot. They were selling their 91/30's for $179.99. Not Hex, not laminated. Dunhams was selling their's for $89.99.

Re the above posts and lack of quality. World Wide Arms are selling very rough D/A Mosin Nagant rifles for £79 as " in need of restoration". Ryton Arms are selling minty D/A M-Ns for £120 plus postage for £120 with sling and ammo pouch. Not worth mending one for a difference of £40! Octagon receiver m-ns are only slightly more expensive.
If you live in the Americas try tradeexcanada

Kind regards, Lester