Unconventional Soviet M91/30 PEM Sniper

[martin08]

First...

... my apologies for not posting for a couple of months. I've been in the process of selling my business, and needed to cut back on the internet time for a while. If all goes well next week, the lion's share of the sale project is complete, and I'll be signing on the dotted line.

I should be freed up for a while, and will have some catching up to do here! Thanks!

-Matt

Now on to the real news!

[martin08]

I suspect, since an original Mosin Nagant M91/30 built in PEM Sniper configuration is almost unheard of, that most all of them are unconventional. The ones which can be found are either decommissioned or rebuilt, mismatched and re-snipered with a mix of arsenal and/or aftermarket parts. Of the many thousand that were used and abused in WWII, only a few handfuls can be considered 100% legit today, and those are mostly in museums or in the hands of a select small number of collectors who nabbed them among the early imports from Finland.

Then, there's the one I found last week.





It's certainly not original, as it appears to be built from both a 1942 Tula Arsenal PEM Sniper (serial numbers of the bolt, magazine floorplate and stock buttplate are from a known PEM serial number range), and with a barrel from a 1937 Izhevsk Arsenal non-sniper. But the base and mount are original Soviet matching units, and the scope is an original non-refurbished PEM optic.

















But the base and mount have an additional set of matching numbers, in a font other than Soviet. These new numbers would be consistent with stampings which are associated with German field depot or arsenal work. The base is attached to the gun with solid pins instead of the set-screw method which was used by the Soviets. The mount is also fitted with a non-original 'wing nut' style thumbscrew











Then, there is the strange stock.








A new piece of wood was spliced to the top comb and heel of the stock. The original buttplate was flattened to accommodate the new size and shape of the buttstock. To my knowledge, this would be the only example which can be found with this unusual alteration.







So, what is it? A true German rebuilt Sniper? Or a stateside gunsmith rebuild? Whichever, and judging by patina, it has been in the current configuration for a long time, and has seen a lot of handling and use since it was put together.

Besides being an extremely rare PEM Sniper, and built with all original Soviet parts, it's really a mystery. I bought this from a dealer who is both a family friend and a court appointed Personal Representative for the estate of the renowned collector, Carl "Bill" Morrison of Bradford, ME. The dealer expressed to me that the gun was bought by Morrison in 1947 from a returning US Armed Service member at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, ME.

No matter what the actual history is behind the sniper, it's a keeper. I'll probably never have another chance to find one that is even half as interesting. So, more pics, enjoy, and thanks for looking.

-Matt

[Longcolt44]

Outstanding Martin, just outstanding....and really strange.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Provenance, excellent that you have some with this one as it's lacking in so many of these, at least this one you know were and when it was found back to '47. Personal pet weapon of someone with access to an armory and either possessing the skills of a trained armorer or commanding someone who had them. Some mystery's will never be solved, an excellent addition to the collection.

[millman]

When you are summoning these wonderful finds, do you walk around the pentacle 3 or 4 times counter clockwise? I can't seem to keep the proper formula straight.

[Fledge]

That stock is just crazy cool. Thanks for sharing.

[King Johhny]

WOW! Awesome rifle!

[Homer2]

The Germans did use a lot of captured soviet equipment, especially for non-wehrmacht units. Amazing find, Matt!

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

[Rongo]

How do you find these????

Wow...

[desdem12]

very nice

[Longcolt44]

How do you find these????

Wow...

I don't want to know, I have enough places that take my money

[entropy]

You must be living right......or very, very wrong!

Nice unique PEM! Very Cool!

[Sirex]

Holy cow. Bubbaski got to rifle in Soviet as well. Looks cool, nice find.

[Steve The Pirate]

Three things: 1 I'd wish you would sprinkle some lucky pixie dust over my head for good luck. #2 Good lord what a great looking rifle and #3 Why ain't that in the Showcase. She's got my vote.

[Darryl]

I need to learn a "bunch" on PEM sniper rifles and mounts. That is a different world from the PU world.

Very interesting and nice rifle!!!!

Dolk