Off the Rarity Charts - [SA] 1939 M/38

[bunkysdad]

Would it be mean to mix up all the post it notes?

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yes, just make sure you leave a note saying you did it

[Firegirl842]

Hi everyone-

I recently purchased what I believe to be a 1939 Izhevsk M38 by accident. I am not a gun collector but I thought I was purchasing a Mauser from 1939 (that's what the pawn shop had it listed as.) I paid $110 with tax and the background check fee so I thought I was getting a great deal on a cool piece of history. My husband loves hand guns and I shop for antique guns (gives me something to hunt for when we visit pawn shops, gun stores, et al).

Again, I'm not an expert on gun by any stretch of the imagination so I need some help validating what I am reading online.

I've attached some pictures and I'm terribly sorry they are not the best. It appears to be missing a sling, a cleaning rod and the forward sight appears to be broken. None of the serial numbers match which I know devalues the Mauser K98 but I have no idea if the same holds true for this rifle.

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I valued the rifle at $110 for insurance purposes but I'm not sure if that is enough.

Thanks! Amber

[MN Fan]

Hi Amber, welcome to the forum.

You have a 1939 Izhevsk 91/30. A nice one it appears. Its hard to tell from the photos, but the metal finish looks off somewhat, maybe not. Also, it looks like the front sight is OK, but again, hard to tell. Maybe you should create a new thread and post up some new photos. The guys here will be happy to help you figure out exactly what you've got.

Again, welcome

[martin08]

Welcome aboard, Firegirl.

Yes, you have a 1939 Mosin Nagant M91/30. It may have had some alteration to the front sight, so please post some close up pictures of the sight, and all marks that you can find on the barrel shank.

If you begin a new thread, you will get a lot of competent information on your "Mauser (ha!)" purchase. And at $110, you did well on the price, too.

[desdem12]

Welcome Firegirl. You have entered into a thing we like to call a disease here....Mosinitis or mosin fever. It looks like the guys have identified it for you.
It appears that the front sight has been changed to the old style for some reason and if you give us better pics of it we can tell you for sure. The price you paid from the pictures you gave i would say you are ahead already. Welcome

[Junk Yard Dog]

Welcome to the Forum , nice 91/30 you found, what kind of antique firearms are you collecting other than this one?

[martin08]

I had promised Ron that I would re-make the original post to fit the Showcase guidelines. So, I did! Please refer to the edited original post on page 1.

Can anyone see anything to add or correct? Thanks.

[desdem12]

Looks good to me Martin Did you add the curse section to it?

[martin08]

Looks good to me Martin Did you add the curse section to it?

I ain't afraid of no pox.

[Rongo]

The Early Stock M38 - Finn Capture is now on the Showcase, linked to this thread & a link is also in the index. I think this one is my favorite on the Showcase so far.

[MN Fan]

Nice job Martin...well done

Thanks for your hard work Rongo!

[bb91]

Nice find and great rifle Martin, got my eye out for one like yours!

[Darryl]

Nice find and great rifle Martin, got my eye out for one like yours!

Good luck.

There are not may SA marked M38's out there and those of us that have them NEVER sell them (hardly)!

Dolk

[Flyin Brian]

Very nice!!

[SDH1903]

Yes sir off the charts! Nice rifle for any collection!-STeve

[Knuckledragger]

Another great rifle from your collection. I think the Polish carbines are just as worthy of the showcase

[martin08]

Another great rifle from your collection. I think the Polish carbines are just as worthy of the showcase

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Knuckledragger. And good to see you migrating to this board!

But alas, both of my Polish carbines have been to the basement of the infamous BUBBA. One with his homemade chop saw, and the other from the likelihood of Interarms, itself, as a specially cut walnut sporter stock was fitted to the shortened barrel shank.

Yes, I made replica stocks for them, and kept the originals. But short of finding a real original Wz.91/98/25 stock to install, I would think it would be better for this preservation forum to have a member present an unaltered specimen when and if possible.

[Rongo]

BTT

[Almost_Samurai]

I skimmed through this thread the best I could. On the '39 M38 in the 11th photo of the butt stock was it ever determined what the "A" with the dot above it stamped in the stock is? Only curious because I have an M91 with the same mark, same location. It is a Finned Stock. Perhaps just the proof mark in the 1940's? Would give me an idea when the stock was refurbished.