Not the Usual Mosin M44

[martin08]

Well, it is a typical model, year, and refurbishment - Soviet Izhevsk Arsenal M44, from 1944.

But what is unusual is the refurbishment stamp, the mysterious Triangle /25\ and what appears to be a Tula star, both to the left of the of the Izhevsk stamp on the barrel shank and in the right side grasping groove of the stock.

The triangle 25 (or 12) stamps, along with red, orange and/or white painted marks, are somewhat common on M91/30's. I haven't seen any solid information as to the origin or purpose of this style of marking, made during (or after?) refurbishment. And no, I have not licked the painted serial number on mine to see if it has any cyanide content or hallucinogenic effects.

(ref.) http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?282949-Mystery-solved!-Orange-91-30-letter-highlights&highlight=cyanide

But I did go to the The Mosin Nagant Survey Forum on Gunboards to establish that the ratio of M44's to M91/30's is rather small. While I'm sure many more M44's exist with the /25\ stamp, only two are recorded in the survey. And only one other with the apparent Tula star added to the shank.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?113260-triangle-25-red-orange-paint-survey&highlight=triangle+25

https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/beeline-online.net/pub?key=0ApRgaEwQBTArdDJQaVpGeVhKajk0SHR2al9nSWx3NEE&output=html

Anyway, here are the pics.

Apparent original stamped matching, no scrubs or line-outs.

Triangle /25\, Star stamp on shank and stock.

Awesome patina on the bolt.

Nose repair on the stock, and sanded/shellacked C.C.C.P. cartouche

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the find and the price. $155 OTD, included with a complete M91/30 stock set, at Kittery Trading post. Woe, no bayonet, but such is life for that kind of money.

Thanks for looking!

 

[01SVTvert]

Nice, especially the patina on the bolt. How come every time I go to KTP they have 3 mil surps and all are sporters and $200 over normal price???

 

[NinerMaine]

Nice, especially the patina on the bolt. How come every time I go to KTP they have 3 mil surps and all are sporters and $200 over normal price???

I figured out a long time ago to not try to understand how Marten finds all these guns. I just accept it as fact.

 

[ARV]

I figured out a long time ago to not try to understand how Marten finds all these guns. I just accept it as fact.

 

[50 BMG]

Martin, that triangle with the 25 has been popping up more and more lately. I have seen it on 91/30 as well. The star is a Czech mark....don't you agree.

 

[martin08]

Not sure, Fred. The Czech star on the M91/38's is a bit smaller, and double outlined.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/0424.jpg


I don't have any other Czech guns to compare.


And no deals with the devil! But if you get to know Dave behind the trade counter, you can talk to him some. BTW, there is a 1929 Tula Finned Dragoon there for reasonable money. It's missing the rear sight slider, and the stock has been urethaned. But for someone who might not otherwise have a real dragoon in the collection, it is priced well under $300.

Don't all call at once! But do tell Dave that I sent you.

 

[01SVTvert]

That Tula Dragoon was there a while ago, I passed, but I think it may be discounted more now.

 

[martin08]

If I didn't already have a '29 Tula Dragoon, rest assured that it would not still be on the rack at KTP!

 

[japollner]

Always check with the guys at KTP. I work with them on the clothing side as a vendor, and purchased my 10/22 Target from them. They have tons of stuff in the warehouse that isn't always on the floor. I would be willing to bet they have a bunch of surplus stuff in the back. You just have to ask for it.

Edit: I was there today. Not one Mosin. Derek (camping manager) mentioned they typically get them in once in a while when a good deal comes along, but they go fast.