American Mosin thread

In Canada there seems to be a real shortage of decent, moderately "original" M1891's of Imperial Russian and Soviet manufacture. Surprisingly, there are quite a few US manufactured Mosins, many of which have some originality. These are all Finn marked and range from the typical Finn mixmaster with nothing original but receiver and barrel to rifles in excellent condition with almost all original (and where appropriate, matching) parts. It would appear the opportunity exists for collectors north of 49 to build decent collections of the US Mosin's. This all poses one interesting question- why did the Finn's show a tendency to leave the US M91's in their possession relatively intact (at least as per the sample available in Canada)? I certainly don't know the answer but a few possibilities come to mind: 1) Political- the Finns weren't exactly fans of the Soviets and might have left the US rifles intact as a "statement"; 2) Interchangeability issues- doesn't seem likely as US parts are commonly found on the "mixmasters"; 3) Service history- did a bunch of unissued rifles first see the light of day during the Winter war with many surviving in a condition not requiring rebuild? If so, on which side?

The attached photos show my four US Mosins, two from each factory. Regarding numbered parts, the NEW rifles originally had only matching barrel, bolt, buttplate. The floorplate was unnumbered. Remington had matching barrel, bolt body, cocking piece, buttplate, and mag floorplate. Subordinate markings on other pieces are quite variable on NEW guns but only small circled R's on Remington's. For anyone interested, the two prime references are: 1) American-Made Mosin Nagant Rifles- World War 1 through Allied Intervention, C.W. Clawson, 2009; 2) Allied Rifle Contracts in America, Luke Mercaldo, 2011.

As far as my examples go, the NEW at the top has matching original bolt, buttplate and walnut stock (and many NEW small pieces). The floorplate is a scrubbed replacement. The second gun from the top (NEW) has matching buttplate, walnut stock, unnumbered NEW mag housing/ floorplate, but Finn matched replacement NEW bolt body. Third gun down (Rem) has matching buttplate, floorplate, walnut stock, but Finn matched bolt. Bottom gun is all matching and only cleaning rod and sight leaf appear to be not Remington manufacture. As mentioned, all have Finn ownership marks but only one (Rem) has typical Finn unit markings. None have "D" or other common Finn stamps.

I would invite anyone with a US Mosin to post about it on this thread.

Ridolpho

My father bought a Mosin-Nagant from an advertisement in Field & Stream magazine around 1955, cost was around $10 and you even received some cartridges.
This rifle is a Westinghouse 1915 but this logo is faint as the barrel and hex receiver still have a dark blue color and I would think it was refinished before my father
bought it. The receiver is s/n 1044196, bolt is Remington R in circle #35532, trigger/magazine housing is 70561 with a small 3 in a diamond and butt plate is
79661. The stock is very nice and certain it had been refinished, there is a patch behind the receiver tang, handguard is missing. I do not think there are any
Soviet parts in this rifle ? I have fired years ago, the bore is dark but alright

The Dealers Warehouse in Modesto, CA has a small supply of Remington made 7.62mm ammo. Never exported as they were not paid for by the Czar.