U-Boat marked and Austrian Capture M91 Mosin - What is this thing?

[jakebevt48]

Hi, I am new to this forum and this is my first post.

I recently acquired a Russian M91 Izhevsk Manufactured in 1909.

It has some interesting markings. First of all it is AZF marked on the receiver and the barrel. I've read this is an Austrian Capture marking.

Second, it has a U124 marking on the side of the receiver and on the underside of the barrel below the wood line. I've read this is a marking indicating the gun was on a U-Boat-- the SM U-124 which was active from 1916-1918 according to wikipedia.

So, what would something like this be worth? Have I stumbled upon a super rare rifle?

Thanks!
Jake

Information

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[jakebevt48]

Attachment 99175Attachment 99176

[Gil Boyd]

Welcome Jake to the site.
Sadly your rifle is fairly common and as such is roughly priced at about $400-$500 unless of course you have the provenance to go with it,
Hope that helps

[Gil Boyd]

Jake,
Here is a comparitive price for you to assess here in the UK:

Classic Military Rifles

[jakebevt48]

Thanks Gil!

Does anyone have any more information on the u124 marking? I still can’t find much information about it.

Thanks
Jake

[Ridolpho]

Jake: Post some additional photos. Whether or not that specific stamp can ever be identified the rifles basic value will depend upon how original it is. The 91/30 that comes up on the "Classic Military Rifles" site is at the low end of value in North America. As a post war Soviet refurb it would be worth $300 (Can). All original, matching 91/30's are scarce up here and worth quite a bit more. Original, matching M91's are truly rare and would be very valuable. Most of the M91's we have up here are Finn owned and have few to no original parts on them. Originally your rifle would have had matching serial # on bolt, buttplate, magazine floorplate, and its original stock would have had a particular stamp on the right side. I cannot recall if the cocking piece would have been numbered on an Izhevsk of this date. Receivers weren't numbered but you may find a date/ manufacturer on the lower rear tang. It may or may not agree with the info on the barrel as recycled receivers were commonly used. An example with all original matching parts would easily be worth well above $1000 in North America. At the other end of the spectrum I could mention a Finn rebuild/ mixmaster I own which has an 1898 Izhevsk barrel but not one other original part on the gun. Even the receiver is switched for a later US manufactured piece. Rifles that were captured and cycled through repair depots in many countries tend to have a lot of replacement parts. Austrian marked guns are not really rare. The whole piece needs to be seen to suggest a value. Personally I'd love to see more photos of it.

note: re. the (U124) stamp I can't find it in a quick look at Wrobel Book #2 which has a very large listing of stamps and markings.

Ridolpho

[jakebevt48]

Thanks Ridolpho.

I will post some more pictures this evening of the whole rifle and of any other markings. It does have a couple faint stamps on the side of the stock like you mentioned.

Thanks
Jake

[jakebevt48]

Here are pics.

[Ridolpho]

Judging by the sling swivels probably time in Finland. Nice Russian stock but likely all mismatched numbers? Regarding the Sub connection, by coincidence K.H. Wrobel has posted on Gunboards Mosin forum about rifles with possible sub usage markings.

Ridolpho

[mrclark303]

Just an observation, but I see the rifles been fibreglass bedded, cant comment on the U124 marking except to venture the possibly of a Finnish inventory or arsenal rebuild number?