Mosin found in the attic

[SubaruFan]

Hello. I am happy to join this forum.
This old rifle was found in a parent's attic. The condition of the attic was terrible, so the rifle is looking very beaten down.
I would just like to learn some history about it. Where it was made, if you guys think it might have been used in combat. I know very little about these guns.
Ideally I would like to get it into working condition, to fire it. I understand NOT to refinish this, as it will take away from the rifle's heritage and dignity. I just want to see if my gunsmith can clean it up while preserving historical accuracy?
Thanks for helping out a big noob

[millman]

Soak the metal with oil and scrub at the rust with a bronze brush. You will be surprised how well it will clean up.

[Longcolt44]

What you said about refinishing it is true. What you have there is a Russian M91 captured by the Fins and rebuilt to their specifications, https://russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com/app.php/page/89. A good clean is all that rifle needs. If anybody wants to refinish or rebuild it in any way, beat them to death with it.

[SubaruFan]

@longcolt44
Thanks.
My understanding based on stamping is that the rifle was made in 1897, with the matching bolt. Tula factory, right? Did the Finnish capture it and make it theirs?
Any idea if this was likely used in combat? I can see the stock was replaced...damaged maybe? unless the Finnish routinely changed the stocks?

[steelbuttplate]

Soak the metal with oil and scrub at the rust with a bronze brush. You will be surprised how well it will clean up.

Just remove the rust carefully, what you can . Don't use a drill or powerful solvent. You have an Antique.

[Darryl]

@longcolt44
Thanks.
My understanding based on stamping is that the rifle was made in 1897, with the matching bolt. Tula factory, right? Did the Finnish capture it and make it theirs?
Any idea if this was likely used in combat? I can see the stock was replaced...damaged maybe? unless the Finnish routinely changed the stocks?

Only evidence I see that the Finns had it is the escutcheon plates and sling hangers on it. this would indicate at some point either it was purchased by the Finn's or captured from the Russians.

Originally, it was made in 1896 in Russia at the Tula Plant.
In the USA, it is technically a "Antique" and not a firearm.

Darryl

[Junk Yard Dog]

Easy clean up with copper/bronze brushes and oil, take the little bit of rust right off. That doesn't even come close to winning the rustiest gun award, this was how milsurps typically looked in the years before Soviet refurbs spoiled everyone. This is how they would look sitting on flea market tables, tag sale's, estate sales back in the late 80's and early 90's. I would often wondered if I should tell these people of the invention of oil. That was the thing about the refurbs, there wasn't much to do. Just wipe off the cheap commie axle grease, and go shoot it. Took maybe half an hour, the old non refurb imports could take days to clean, that's days of fun scrubbing, wrapping oil soaked stocks in paper and setting them in the sun, JB bore paste down the pipe to see it there was rifling left. The smell of mold, old grease, and WW2 era USGI bore cleaner. Great times.

[Rongo]

A bit of cleaning & you have a gem!!!!!

[ma96782]

@longcolt44
Thanks.
My understanding based on stamping is that the rifle was made in 1897, with the matching bolt. Tula factory, right? Did the Finnish capture it and make it theirs?
Any idea if this was likely used in combat? I can see the stock was replaced...damaged maybe? unless the Finnish routinely changed the stocks?

Only evidence I see that the Finns had it is the escutcheon plates and sling hangers on it. this would indicate at some point either it was purchased by the Finn's or captured from the Russians.

Originally, it was made in 1896 in Russia at the Tula Plant.
In the USA, it is technically a "Antique" and not a firearm.

Darryl

Note : The stock wood splice (photo #5). Typical of a Finnish stock. Though, a photo of the "fingers" will tell you a little more.

Aloha, Mark

[Tula44]

Nice find! The stock looks to be pretty good. Once cleaned up I think the rifle will look great!

[tomaustin]

before you begin scrubbing the metal, please remove the stock.......there are Q & A's attached above in this forum.....

[RazorBurn]

Kroil and Bronze wool. It will clean up nicely.

That will be an easy save and one well worth it.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tool ... d7391.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning- ... d7610.aspx

[ffuries]

Could look a lot worse......

[Junk Yard Dog]

OK, I smell a rusty gun post coming up soon.