Printable View
I finally took this rifle apart today. Was told it was all matching. The stock is a replacement going by the penciled number in the barrel channel and the space in the stamp on the stock. I'm not sure about the bolt. There is a repair on the stock by the bayonet and a small import mark on the barrel. The headspace is good and the bore looks excellent.
Fine example.
I've got my feelers out for one right now ;)
After looking at the photos it looks like the butt plate has been renumbered, can see what looks like old numbers under the new numbers. The font is different on the butt plate and bolt then on the receiver and magazine. The magazine I'm not sure, kind of looks like it might have been ground. Does anyone think it could have been renumbered by the importer or at the arsenal, wouldn't the numbers be lined out? It looks good and I didn't pay a lot for it. Just hope it shoots good.
Most of the time mosin numbers were ground and re stamped. You're seeing the original number and then the matched number struck over. It's quite common to have a ghost effect on buttplates. I have one that is just like you are stating.
Looks like a nice refurb. 1948 examples are not common.
About 1999 or 2000, Big 5 Sporting goods imported TONS of M44s. Some were absolutely gorgeous! I bought one, but foolishly sold it because "it wasn't a Black Rifle" Now, I wish I still had it.