1942 Izhevsk Hex receiver training/fighting 91/30 showcase submission

[racerguy00]

I just received this really unusual 91/30 and would like to ask the members here to consider it for inclusion into the showcase.

I really like oddball and unusual 91/30s and this one definitely fits the description. I saw it listed for sale online and consider myself fortunate to be able to have snagged it. Here are the unusual features:

Barrel is Уч/Б marked in an unusual font. According to forum member Ratnik, who has researched and written extensively on 91/30 production, this is the abbreviation for учебно- боевая. In English it basically translates as training/fighting.

The rifle has no Izhevsk factory proofs or acceptance stamps on the barel.

The serial number and prefix do not fit the normal pattern for 1942 Izhevsk rifles, either standard round receiver or for recycled hex receiver rifles.

The receiver is a reused hex which is a bit uncommon for this year and arsenal when it comes to refurbed rifles. Also interestingly enough the receiver happens to be American made...from a Westinghouse M91. There is also a lined out serial number on the top receiver flat that doesn't correspond to this rifle. It's unusual to see a number in that location, and that and the font may be a clue to the travels of the prior rifle before being broken down and eventually reused for this 91/30.

Again, according to Ratnik, the markings and lack of proofs indicates that this rifle most likely was shipped as a barrelled receiver to a repair Depot where it was built and marked as a functional trainer. Although most trainers were demilled/non-functional for firing, this one was capable of being fired. However, it was not meant to be issued to front-line troops for combat as it couldn't be guaranteed to be totally reliable in that role. Even so, it was deemed fit to be refurbed along with the multitudes of standard rifles and packed away for storage. At this time it and it's force-matched bayonet are still covered in preservative.

Thanks for looking.

[ffuries]

Wow, cool on many levels. Never seen one and never heard of them either. Thank you for posting this, I'll have to read more about these if I can find more on them.

[tjtM38]

Yeah, you have an unusual 91/30, the likes of which I have never seen up close and personal or even in pictures. I have never seen a 1942 with a hex receiver, but considering that fateful year in the Soviet Union's ongoing conflict with the Nazis, I am not surprised they used every kind of part and component they could find in the interest of producing as many rifles as possible. I also wonder if this rifle was simply changed during the refurbishment process to pair a good barrel with a hex receiver, because the barrel has lots of tool marks (typical with a early 40's Mosin Nagant) and the receiver doesn't. Guess we will never know the complete history behind this one, but thanks a bunch for letting us see it. I vote YES for showcase submission.

[Miller Tyme]

Got my vote sir, way cool

[ffuries]

Another showcase submission vote here.........

[Judi and her Mosins]

Has my vote also..... Another great showcase Mosin !!

Dave you really have an eye for these rifles.

[WWW]

Well, that's something you won't see every day.

Unless you come here, of course.

Very cool!

[Longcolt44]

No problem, just fill out the submission forms in triplicate and send copies to all the admins. That will teach you to find rare rifles.

[neal45]

Yes it is a showcase Mosin. One of the more interesting 91/30s I have seen.

[Rongo]

That's a sloppy wartime expedient look. I like it!!

Now Posted On The Showcase!

[racerguy00]

Quick update. Working theory at the moment is that the struck through serial number on the top of the receiver may be a former Finn Civil Guard number. I've been able to dig up a few examples of Finn rifles with a CG number in that location and the font is nearly identical to a couple of them. Next step will be to have the number researched in Finland to see if anything turns up.
Being a Westinghouse receiver, which was common in Finland, and a Soviet 1942 date on the barrel, it's conceivable that the receiver was part of a Soviet captured Finn rifle, most likely scenario in that case would be during the Winter War.

[qz2026]

Got my vote. I saw this one also and was very intrigued. I'd bet that the s/n prefix on this has everything to do with it's assignment as a training rifle. I have an M-44 Уч rifle as well. I am sure it came out of the Balkans somewhere, ultimately exported out of Romania, which lead me to believe that it's training status was assigned in whatever country it was sent to. This one could be the same situation. The reason I say this is based on the stampings on the tang. I remember commenting about this to one of our other forum members when the rifle was listed. The only other place that I have seen stampings like this is on the receivers of the 91/38's This "boxed arrow" stamp as I call it is only found on 91/38's and I also think the other stamp is a badly stamped circle KK/10 stamp, also, only found on 91/38's. So, my conclusion is that this (I mean the assignment of training status) was done in either Czechoslovakia or Albania. Food for thought...
Very unique piece and I remember commenting and appreciating the oddball status of it as well. One thing for sure, the barrel was tuned out quickly LOL. Nice gun!