One seriously worn out 91/30

[Anzac15]

I have a serious problem. When I am at a gun show, I am drawn to the most beat up, worn out rusty milsurps I can find. I like a nice example occasionally, don't get me wrong. But for me, beat up usually equates to something with a story behind it. And today's find is no exception..a been-to-hell-and-back 1937 Izhevsk 91/30.
There it was, in all its rusty glory. According to the seller (yes, buy the rifle, not the story) its an Afghanistan bring back. I don't know that for sure. What I do know is that it was certainly brought back from somewhere. From what I can see, it never got back to the ol' former USSR. No rear sight base pin, no import mark, no finish whatsoever. Nice Izhevsk cartouche on the butt. Did I say it was rough?
It did not have a bolt. So I am now searching for an equally rough example.
One more thing, and I have never seen this that I can remember...the muzzle is threaded on the inside.
Korea? Don't think so. Vietnam? Not pitted enough. But it is full of very fine sand in the mag and elsewhere.
Anyway, rough as it is, it seems to be a pretty 'original' example of a '37 Izhevsk. Like to hear some thoughts on the muzzle. Enjoy the pics!

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[rcathey]

I’m also a sucker for a beat up old warhorse.
Love the sand in the mag, that’s pretty neat. You should save all you can.

As for the threads, I’ve seen lots of blank firing attachments that would require threads like that. The Swedish Ljungman would be a good example. As far as I know, the standard Mosin attachment did not attach that way...but the history of this piece is most assuredly anything but standard haha.

[RangeRover]

Ah..another lover of wayward mutts.

Nice score. I would have picked up that Mosin as well, as rifles like that call to me at the shows too. And assuming they're checked out, I certainly don't mind taking them to the range.

Can't help on the muzzle threading, but look forward to hearing what you unearth.

[Anzac15]

So far I can find nothing about the inside 'threading'. I've never seen anything like it. I ran a rod through it today, and I don't know what kind of foul matter that was that came out. Good news is that the bore is pretty darn good.
Three long dead small beetles at the bottom of the mag. Fine sand and other assorted nastiness abounds. Debating whether to give it a light cleaning.
Got some better pics here.

[Bruce McAskill]

For what it's been through it deserves a decent cleaning and then an oiling to at least make it feel better. These old rifles have feelings too you know, so make it feel better.

[Anzac15]

Decided to oil it down a bit. Had to, really. Absolutely filthy. Has an odd goldish tint/film over the exposed metal. No pitting at all, must have been in a very arid area. Bore is actually very good, after getting all that crud out.

[fjruple]

I know back in the late 50's and 60's a lot of these types of surplus rifles were used to make floor lamps by threading the barrel for a lighting fixture and running the electrical cord through the barrel and either the back of the bolt or through a hole in the bottom of the buttstock. Back in 1960's you could not give the Mosin Nagants away when Mausers, Enfields, and Springfields were cheaply available.

[rcathey]

Haha, of course! That would explain the lack of a bolt too. Just run the wire straight out of the chamber.
The thread for those lamp kits is likely still the same.
If it were my rifle, I'd give that a shot just to quell my curiosity. Worth spending a few bucks on.

[Anzac15]

Bore has turned out better than expected. Im really surprised...dark, but great rifling. No pitting whatsoever. Once I can locate an equally rusty but functional bolt, it will be shot!

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:12 PM ----------

I'm still mystified by that inside-the-muzzle 'threading'.

[Miller Tyme]

Probably a SCW rifle that was turned into a floor lamp for some guys man cave. SCW rifles where imported in the 50's and could be had for as cheap as $5.00