Hit some Gunshows today & what a dog they were. Overpriced on everything... save for one table. Guy had an 1896 Springfield Krag with no price. I asked what he was looking to get & he says to make an offer. I look it over & tell him I want to think it over while checking the rest of the show. I come back later & hang out talking to him for a bit until another guy picks it up. He asks how much? & the seller says $400 or BO. I wait until the guy puts it back down & I grab it again. I wait for around two minutes looking it over & then ask if $350 cash works. He countered with $360. SOLD!
Feeling lucky I leave the show & head to the local Fleet Farm to check on the M38 Mosins they've had forever. Last time I was there they were fetching $189 each. I get there & they have two left but the price was now $129! I check them out in the glass & see a 1... 9.... 3... ?? I ask to see it & sure enough; A 1939 Izhevsk M38 in a Laminated stock! So I went home with that too.
A very good day. Pics tomorrow. 8) 8)
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Well tomorrow turned into a few weeks later.
Busy around the house, work is hell & I come down with the flu to boot. Anyway... I dissembled them both, cleaned & inspected them & snapped some pics.First up is the M38. 1939 Izhevsk, same date & markings on tang, matching bolt, buttplate & forced floorplate. Late or Post war laminated M44 stock that has what I can only discern as having some fit & finish issues. It's a bit beefier than my other ones. Counterbore, good rifling, passed no-go & good blue throughout. Smaller discreet CAI billboard & it came with sling, pouch, oiler & such.
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Next is the 1896 Krag.
Springfield Armory 1896 Krag, Early original sling, solid stock, good bore & smooth as butter action. Downside; Cut down barrel & stock, but looks to be an older post WWII conversion. Looks to have been tapped at some point on the barrel for ???? Upside; I paid $360 for it.
Odd place for tapping a scope???
