Russian Izhevsk M91/30 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Sniper Rifle C&R 1944
SOLD FOR: $1,925
WOA#: WY240117CB057
Make: Izhevsk Arsenal
Model: M91/30 sniper rifle
Serial Number: ‘Ge’ ‘Ka’ 8765
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 7.62x54R
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a PW Arms import mark and ‘Ge’ ‘Ka’ “8765”. The right side of the receiver is marked “MADE IN RUSSIA” and with three import marks. The left side of the barrel shank is marked ‘Be’ “49596” crossed out. The top of the barrel shank is marked with a hammer & sickle Soviet ownership mark, “1944” followed by a faint ‘Ge’ letter, ‘Ge’ ‘Ka’ “8765”, and the Izhevsk Arsenal mark. The right side of the barrel shank is marked with the circled “C” stamp signifying it as a sniper rifle, and a small import mark. The bolt, magazine floor plate, and buttplate are marked with a serial number that matches the one on the barrel shank. The top of the scope is marked with the Factory #357 NKV mark, “91/30”, and “No.” ‘Be’ “45270”. The left side of the scope mount is marked with the serial number of the rifle and the scope in electro-pencil. The left side of the rear sight is marked “Mod. 91/30 7.62x54R”. There are various proof marks on the wood and metal surfaces.
Barrel Length: 29”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch sliding escalator attached to the barrel. The left side of the receiver has a PU scope mount. Mounted to the mount is a PU scope. The glass is clear, the scope and mount show light wear and remain in Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece wood stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, metal nose cap, cut out for the included cleaning rod, two barrel bands, two sling eyelets, cut out for the scope mount, through bolt, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate has a few scratches and wear along its edges. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is wear to the finish on the stock throughout, with more wear on the wrist, forend, and upper handguard. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very light erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish as arsenal refurbished. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is an impact mark along the right front edge of the trigger guard assembly. The bolt and action show light usage wear. The screw heads show light to moderate use. The markings are legible, though some of the smaller proof and acceptance marks are worn from the refurbishment. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: As previously stated, this rifle comes mounted with a PU scope. Also included is a leather lens cover and a “dog collar” canvas sling.
Our Assessment: The Mosin Nagant M91/30 was the primary service rifle of the Soviet Union through the 1930s and into the Second World War. The 91/30 featured a number of improvements over the M91. The hooded front sight enabled easier target acquisition and the rear sight was redesigned to use meters. The 91/30 and its later iterations would serve not only the Soviet Union but many other nations including Hungary, Romania, Finland, and China.
This is an example of a late-war Izhevsk made M91/30 sniper rifle. The rifle checks the boxes for being a real sniper rifle, with the circle “C” mark on the barrel shank, the scope serial number on the left side of the barrel shank, and a serial number prefix within the established range for 1944 Izhevsk made sniper rifles. The rifle was refurbished post-war, due to the original scope serial number having been crossed out. The scope and mount are also authentic, with the scope having the correct serial number prefix for scopes made by Factory #357 NKV along with domed screws. The serial numbers of the rifle and scope were added to the mount when the rifle was refurbished post-war. The stock has wear to its finish at the wrist, upper handguard, and the forend. The metal retains nearly all of its newer, arsenal refurbishment finish. The bolt, barrel, magazine floor plate, and buttplate are matching. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and should make for a wonderful shooter. This is a nice example of a late-war 91/30 sniper rifle that would fit well into any Russian, Mosin, or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.
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