About to pull the trigger on a Remington 1917 Mosin and need some advice!!!

[TheAlpineWolf]

Hi Everyone,
Well... buying my first Mosin and decided to start at the top. Im about to purchase this Remington made 1917 Mosin from a seller who has told me everything on the rifle is as it should be except the rear barrel band which is from another manufacture (Izhevsk). Its made it to Russia was captured by the Finns and somehow made it back here to Australia. Its all matching as far as we can both tell. Interested to hear all opinions before I make the leap on this lovely piece of history!
My concerns...
1) Stock originality?
2) Top hand guard fit up at front
3) Escutcheon markings
Thanks for your time,
Best Regards,
Sam.

Information

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[SSG_Lord]

Hello, Nice Finn'd Remington M91. Like most M91's that ended up in Finland through capture or post WW1 purchase it's been rebuilt using surplus parts from unserviceable M91's. The stock is not an original Remington stock, it's a Finnish made one piece walnut replacement stock fitted at Army Weapons Depot #3(AV3). The top handguard usually has a little play to it as there was some variation in length, it shouldn't be an issue. The Finn's sometimes installed small screws into the stock in front of each band to prevent the band from moving during firing but yours doesn't have them. The marking on the right rear escutcheon is Russian, it's been ground down but I think it's Izhevsk. It was likely salvaged from an unserviceable Russian made rifle stock by the Finns. The other escutcheons don't look to have obvious markings and could be Finnish made or Russian/Soviet made. Looks like a nice Finn'd Remington, the bolt is Remington marked which is a plus. It isn't factory original; few are coming out of Finland but it's a solid example and a great first Mosin.

[TheAlpineWolf]

Hi SSG_Lord!
Thanks for this huge amount of info! It has answered a lot of the questions I had about the rifle!!
I didn't know that the Finns made walnut stocks? I was of the opinion that the stock was an American walnut one which had the Russian roundel sanded off and replaced with the arsenal mark on the RHS. Im thinking this due to the scratch marks on the stock where the roundel should be on an American stock which are not present on the rest of the stock! (Just a guess though) No serial number on butt plate, only has a small A at the base so probably a replacement.
Whats the value of a piece like this? Ive only seen a few in Australia and they are mostly sanded to hell and back and refinished. I think I may have overpaid as he seller and I believe the stock was a Remington however a well traveled rifle is always welcome in my collection!
Keen for your reply,
Best Regards,
Sam.

[SSG_Lord]

Hello, in the U.S. it would probably be a solid 8-900$ rifle. Since the pool of available Mosin's is much smaller in Australia, I'd expect it to sell for more but no idea how much more.

[TheAlpineWolf]

Hi SSG_Lord,
I did purchase it and it ran me $600 USD premium ontop of your suggested price. Its a lot for me as im only a young collector but im pleased overall as there are practically no WW1 Mosins in Aus and that ratio is even lower for these US made ones!!
Can't wait to pull it apart and check for extra markings and to check out the stock!
Thanks for all of your help!
Best Regards,
Sam.