Need help with this Mosin Nagant rifle

[SSG_Lord]

Got these today - any help??

The fonts of the numbers on the buttplate, bolt and magazine base all match each other but they don't match the font used on the barrel serial number as would be the case if the rifle was factory original. This is extremely common with Mosin's that went through the Soviets post war refurbishment program. These rifles were stripped down and inspected and barrelled actions with unservicable bores were scrapped. All parts were also inspected for serviceability and unservicable parts were also scrapped. The rifles were then reassembled using a combination of new parts and serviceable parts from other rifles. No attempt was made to put original parts and stocks back on, they just grabbed the next one in the bin. After reassembly those parts with preexisting numbers had them lined out or ground off and were restamped to the same number already on the barrel. This is extremely common with Mosin's exported from former Soviet storage locations and most Soviet Mosin's in the U.S. follow this pattern. There are a small number of original factory matching examples called "light refurbs" that just got a fresh coat of lacquer on the stocks but they are rather rare and usually have dates between 1942-1944.

Information

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[Roy S]

The fonts of the numbers on the buttplate, bolt and magazine base all match each other but they don't match the font used on the barrel serial number as would be the case if the rifle was factory original. This is extremely common with Mosin's that went through the Soviets post war refurbishment program. These rifles were stripped down and inspected and barrelled actions with unservicable bores were scrapped. All parts were also inspected for serviceability and unservicable parts were also scrapped. The rifles were then reassembled using a combination of new parts and serviceable parts from other rifles. No attempt was made to put original parts and stocks back on, they just grabbed the next one in the bin. After reassembly those parts with preexisting numbers had them lined out or ground off and were restamped to the same number already on the barrel. This is extremely common with Mosin's exported from former Soviet storage locations and most Soviet Mosin's in the U.S. follow this pattern. There are a small number of original factory matching examples called "light refurbs" that just got a fresh coat of lacquer on the stocks but they are rather rare and usually have dates between 1942-1944.

Is this a price killer?? Undesirable?? Can you help with an expected price to pay (to be safe and not be trounced$$) for this rifle also Like I said the bore has been counter bored (2" or less) but rest is nice referb with seeing under the wood.
I really do appreciate this help.

[Singer B]

Is this a price killer?? Undesirable?? Can you help with an expected price to pay (to be safe and not be trounced$$) for this rifle also Like I said the bore has been counter bored (2" or less) but rest is nice referb with seeing under the wood.
I really do appreciate this help.

I would not consider that information a price killer. Currently, even mismatched, round receiver, red shellacked stocks, substandard 1941-43 Izhvesk 91/30s are fetching $300+. A couple of online retailers are listing them at $500-800. Most WW2 guns from any of the participants, and especially the winning nations, have been refurbished in some manner. I look at a refurb as just another "variant" that has a story to tell. If you like the gun and you are comfortable with the price, I would buy it. I would personally buy it just because the oldest one I have is an actual 1930 (39,xxx) and I would love to add a dragoon to the collection since I don't have one.

[72 usmc]

What SSGLORD said, but you have a Tula rifle and with what I can see a Tula star marked bolt and cocking knob. Nice! The bands may also have stars which indicates Tula parts. It is possible they could have a triangle which would be Izzy bands that are easy to switch out back to Tula. It is considered arsenal rebuilt matching. The only negative is the counterbore which is good for a shooter- a cheep Russian way to restore a barrel, but not what most collectors desire- most do not shoot the best examples. Still the finish looks good and it's a nice rifle for $250-300 at todays market. Due to the counter bore I would not pay $400. I do not shoot mine- rack queens and no counterbores. I hate counterbores. However, ExDragoons are getting hard to find at shows. Most any sort of Hex commands a higher value and sell fast if any are found at shows. Like Singer B said most dealers would put about $450-500 on that rifle a WI gun show. Back in the day we got nice stuff like that for $100. But those days are gone. Pick it up, then search out a intact M91 Mosin. They both are fun to shoot. It is a nice rifle for shooting & looks. Ask yourself what is the goal... It is a low price on a nice specimen. Is it the best example - no. But it is a pretty nice example-better than most. But do you want a safe queen at $600?

[Roy S]

:Gentleman,
Thanks for all your info & help & suggestions - I an still reading and scanning the info. I really like these rifles and hope to post later some of the info I can collect from this rifle.
Well I pulled the lanyard, and won the auction, sorry to say I did pay up for the rifle but I liked the looks and some of it's factors and the info you gents commented on. Ir probably has a refurbished stock but better then most I have seen lately.
I have a bunch of pics the seller posted but will do more research when it arrives.
Paid $450 +$35 to ship and he's sending to my 03FFL here at home.
[ATTACH]Attachment 121599[/ATTACH]

I also am interested in accessories - 1st off a Bayonet - are there different/proper ones for this model - 1925 xDragoon 91/30 = is that correct?
thanks again

[72 usmc]

A Tula star marked bayonet would be nice. Any 91/30 will fit. But it may need fitting to that rifle. Some are too tight.





I use a wood dowel with sand paper glued around the circumference to sand down the interior of the bayonet.

[SSG_Lord]

:Gentleman,
Thanks for all your info & help & suggestions - I an still reading and scanning the info. I really like these rifles and hope to post later some of the info I can collect from this rifle.
Well I pulled the lanyard, and won the auction, sorry to say I did pay up for the rifle but I liked the looks and some of it's factors and the info you gents commented on. Ir probably has a refurbished stock but better then most I have seen lately.
I have a bunch of pics the seller posted but will do more research when it arrives.
Paid $450 +$35 to ship and he's sending to my 03FFL here at home.
[ATTACH]Attachment 121599[/ATTACH]

I also am interested in accessories - 1st off a Bayonet - are there different/proper ones for this model - 1925 xDragoon 91/30 = is that correct?
thanks again

Congrates on the win, sometimes when a rifle speaks to you it just has to be bought. I really don't think you overpaid by much if at all, 1920's era ex Dragoons get harder to find the closer to 1920 you are and they aren't making them anymore anyways. Any M91/30 bayonet will be fine for it, be aware that you may need to tweak the socket jaws a bit to make it easier to remove. These bayonets were meant to always be mounted on the rifle unless the soldier was in a truck or train for transport so they are much tighter than most rifle bayonets.

[Roy S]

Congrates on the win, sometimes when a rifle speaks to you it just has to be bought. I really don't think you overpaid by much if at all, 1920's era ex Dragoons get harder to find the closer to 1920 you are and they aren't making them anymore anyways. Any M91/30 bayonet will be fine for it, be aware that you may need to tweak the socket jaws a bit to make it easier to remove. These bayonets were meant to always be mounted on the rifle unless the soldier was in a truck or train for transport so they are much tighter than most rifle bayonets.

I see mosin type bayonets on epay - some have a spring type "latch" mechanism?? and others don't. I'm assuming the latter (no latch) being correct type? Also as 77 USMC mentioned a Tula "STAR" marked would be good. I heard that Tula also used a "hammer" mark - is that true?? Were bayonets serialized to rifles - originally???
Thanks again for all the help