Easiest ways to determine if Soviet Sniper rifle is legit or not

[Aragorn243]

I'm new to the Nagant rifles and have a book on them at least which gives me a good deal of information but am curious if there are any hard rules to tell if one of the "sniper" rifles out there is original or not.

I looked at one today. From my basic knowledge I don't believe it to be original but a pieced together rifle from a standard infantry rifle.

1943 manufacture date, no scope serial number on the barrel, rough finished receiver, no date on the scope.

In my readings, and from personal experience of owning a decomissioned sniper rifle, the receivers on the originals should be of better quality finish and most but not all will have an additional serial number stamped onto the barrel just forward of the receiver for the scope.

Price was $460 which seems typical for one of these.

Information

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[Badger]

That's why we have this site …

Check the Russia - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Compare the one you're looking at against these:

An authentic 1944 Mosin-Nagant M91-30 Sniper Rifle (click here)

An authentic 1954 Mosin-Nagant M52 Hungarian Sniper Rifle (click here)

By the way, pics would help us look at what you're looking at and give you a better opinion as well ...

Regards,
Badger

[Aragorn243]

Badger,

I understand the pics deal but I doubt the owner of the place would appreciate it. Besides, it was like I stepped back into the 1890's in this place, the guns were the most modern things there.

The one link on that page isn't working anymore.

From the photos, no, the one I saw today isn't remotely close. It has the raised "seam" going down the center of the receiver and no serial number. The rear of the receiver is also in the rough.

The one I own is nicely finished and has the scope serial number ground off as well as the screw holes filled in and filed.

[Badger]

Well, I don't buy any expensive piece from anywhere without researching it, including either getting pics from the owner, taking pics in a store, or having an expert go along with me to handle the piece and give his blessing.

You're only other option is to study the MKL pics of all correct pieces and go to the store with your newly acquired knowledge and handle it again yourself.

You might be looking at a gold mine, but on the other hand, you might be viewing a modern bubba job ..

Regards,
Badger

[kar98k]

"Price was $460"


not a real sniper. authentic ones go for about $800

[Pattern14]

...no scope serial number on the barrel, rough finished receiver, no date on the scope.

Also, I'm not so sure that all sniper Nagants had matching scope serial numbers marked on the receiver and in fact on some I've seen that were original there was no number present at all except for the rifles serial number.

[Aragorn243]

Not all had the scope serial numbers.

I guess there are no "marks" that are specific to Sniper rifles.

A serial number for a scope would indicate an original so long as they didn't stamp them later so even that isn't foolproof.

[Homer2]

If it's a refurb sniper rifle and it's not from R-Guns, it's likely not legit. R-Guns has the only legit ones and those are starting at $800. I stay away from Mosin snipers as the rate of fakes is so high that it's easier to find Waldo.