To buy or not to buy

[Micheal Doyne]

Hi all,
I am a really a British small arms guy, but it thought I should branch out. I would like a mosin. I wondered what the collective option was on the lot 1122 of Holts September sale. Here is the link, https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=A0921+++1122+&refno=++166462&saletype=
I will post the photos. Mainly I would just appreciate opinions on what it is.

Information

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[GeeRam]

Mainly I would just appreciate opinions on what it is.

Not sure what you mean by opinion of what it is?

It appears to be exactly what it's described as being, i.e a composite scoped M91/30.
The issue is whether its a composite using genuine parts incl PU scope, or whether its a repro PU scope and mount. My guess based on the estimate is its a repro scope and mount?

[Singer B]

I can't get the link to work. Does the scope have round-headed screws? If so, it's a repro....

[GeeRam]

I can't get the link to work. Does the scope have round-headed screws? If so, it's a repro....

Looks like a repro to me.......photos are not well taken, but the tube looks to be devoid of any markings whatsoever, and it does have the round head screws, and certainly none of the markings as seen in the various versions of the PU through the years from the different Soviet factories as noted on various websites.

[browningautorifle]

I can't get the link to work.

Here's a live link to try...

HOLTS Auctioneers

Do these pics help at all?

[Micheal Doyne]

The only markings I can make out on the scope are square with diagonals corner to corner, 53r N25704. My feeling is if it is genuine bits I'm keen, but if they are repro I would at least like to know before I bid.

[ssgross]

N25704

Early on in the flood of Mosin's, a company in Ukraine who manufactured PU scopes in WW2 unmothbolled its equipment and made new production PU scopes. The distinguishing differences are the screw heads, as was already mentioned, and the serial numbers all started with "N". The bases can be recognized by a combination of milling marks that remained where they should have been smoothed out, and the rear "tabs" that would have been filed down in fitting providing the initial windage zero.

[Micheal Doyne]

My found thus thread interesting, it has some better photos and some discussion. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world...sniper-284349/

[Gil Boyd]

Micheal,
The word Composite, written by those who know better, ALWAYS worries me. Just tread carefully and be guided by the words of those on here and elsewhere, which you have listened to as part of your evaluation of the rifle.
Looks square to me with the exception of the scope as already identified, but thats no great shakes if you get the "well varnished" and treasured rifle by a previous owner, for the right price!!

[Surpmil]

Early on in the flood of Mosin's, a company in Ukraine who manufactured PU scopes in WW2 unmothbolled its equipment and made new production PU scopes. The distinguishing differences are the screw heads, as was already mentioned, and the serial numbers all started with "N". The bases can be recognized by a combination of milling marks that remained where they should have been smoothed out, and the rear "tabs" that would have been filed down in fitting providing the initial windage zero.

The two tapered rails on the back of the bracket were filed down until the base, mounts and rifle were collimated in the horizontal plane and square to each other in the vertical place. Once that was done, the vertical collimation was set with those two grub screws.

Without a doubt the most brilliant design for a scope mounting system in the WWII era, or perhaps any era.

The rifle and mounts could be collimated after the base was fitted to the rifle, with simple tools and moderate skills; unlike the complex and expensive fittings used elsewhere which either required machining in situ or skilled hand-fitting to achieve collimation.

And of course the detachable mount was easily replaced and re-collimated if lost or damaged.