M38 Marking Identification

[LTPayton88]

Hello all,

I recently picked up this M38 and despite all my researching I am failing to find what the "Я" on the side of the stock means. Also, on the receiver, below the Soviet crest there is a blocked out C or maybe a light strike box that I have not seen either. Any help would be appreciated. The stock has been sanded by a previous owner and I plan to restore it with some Russian shellac.

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[Dannyboy53]

Hello all,

I recently picked up this M38 and despite all my researching I am failing to find what the "Я" on the side of the stock means. Also, on the receiver, below the Soviet crest there is a blocked out C or maybe a light strike box that I have not seen either. Any help would be appreciated. The stock has been sanded by a previous owner and I plan to restore it with some Russian shellac.

Very nice rifle. I'm sorry I can't answer any of your questions, I just popped in to check out your rifle, congratulations! Had a chance to fire it?

[LTPayton88]

Very nice rifle. I'm sorry I can't answer any of your questions, I just popped in to check out your rifle, congratulations! Had a chance to fire it?

Thanks and no worries. I have not yet. I think it will be a good shooter though as it has strong rifling. I've had several m38s and for whatever reason I keep having to sell them. Hopefully I can hold on to this one. Haha

[Dannyboy53]

Thanks and no worries. I have not yet. I think it will be a good shooter though as it has strong rifling. I've had several m38s and for whatever reason I keep having to sell them. Hopefully I can hold on to this one. Haha

I hope you can hang on to it too. Let us know how it shoots!

[Boris Badinov]

Likely inspection marks. Soviet guns are covered with them.

I think the soviets used VK1 lacquer on the Mosin stocks. Not shellac

[LTPayton88]

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---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:10 PM ----------

I hope you can hang on to it too. Let us know how it shoots

Luckily for me the ex wife is gone so the odds are in my favor... Ha

---------- Post added at 08:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 PM ----------

Likely inspection marks. Soviet guns are covered with them.

I think the soviets used VK1 lacquer on the Mosin stocks. Not shellac

Thank you. I am currently trying to research what was used to finish them. I am trying not to become the next bubba to get ahold of this thing. It is in really good shape minus the sanding and would like to keep it that way.

[matthanne1]

The squared mark looks like a partially struck refurbishment mark. The 'Ya' character is a mystery, only info I could add (which is likely not useful here) is that it is also the first person personal pronoun in Russian, the 'I' in English.

[LTPayton88]

The squared mark looks like a partially struck refurbishment mark

Thank you. yes i was able to identify it as an Arsenal #7 refurbishment marking.