A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to acquire a pretty rare bird - an Izhevsk-made M1891/30 equipped with a folding bayonet. This type of rifle was all but unknown in the available publications so far and only recently documented in a newly-published book written by an Ukrainian author. According to this source just 15,000 of these rifles had been made in December 1943 and January 1944 for test purposes - not many when taking into account Soviet output figures. Some of these rifles seem to have been found recently in an arsenal in the Ukraine and found their way to Western Europe and obviously Canada, too. Here a few pictures of mine, taken by the seller (more own pictures, showing more details, will follow as soon as I find the time to take them):
A group of these rifles at the seller, mine being the second-last one
Details of the stock inlets made for the bayonet tip (obviously no standard pattern here, they're differing from rifle to rifle), mine is the lower one
While the external appearance and workmanship look rather crude - typical Soviet late-war standard, i.e. no or minimal attention paid to refine machining marks etc., the internal qualities are absolutely unaffected. The bore is a dream - mirror bright in pristine condition. Judging from bore and bolt head condition the rifle seems to have seen only minimal shooting, maybe even none except the usual proofing. And the best is that the barrel also sports the "C in a circle" stamping (barely visible on the third picture in the upper left corner of the barrel shank) with which Izhevsk denoted sniper-grade barrels. Except the lower barrel band which is stamped with the Tula star all stamped parts are correctly stamped with the Izhevsk "arrow in a triangle". Of course the rifle is all-matching.
My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
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Last edited by 7x57 on Mon Sep 25, 2017 4:44 am, edited 2 times in total.
1910 Arg. Mauser M1909 (long rifle)
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Very nice example. You must have been in the right place (Canada?) at the right time to grab this beauty.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Thanks. But I'm sitting in Germany, not in Canada. My rifle came directly from the Ukrainian arsenal, via an Austrian seller who had picked five of them there.neal45 wrote:Very nice example. You must have been in the right place (Canada?) at the right time to grab this beauty.
Congratulations.
1910 Arg. Mauser M1909 (long rifle)
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
-
jimpierce7
- Posts: 1515
- Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:41 pm
- Location: Mountain View Ca.
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Wow, very nice and, indeed, a rare bird and appears to be in original condition (or do you think refurbed?). You have been able to acquire some very fine pieces. I am constantly amazed that you could do this anywhere in Europe. But, it seems that many of the rare pieces are only available there. This is no exception. Pretty soon I'll be posting a Hex carbine with removable bayonet that I saw at the Military Museum in Bucharest a few weeks ago.
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Very nice.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
As promised, here a few more pictures, this time taken by myself (well, both my camera and my photographing skills by far aren't up to the level of those of the rifle's seller):
To me it looks that this rifle hasn't been refurbished.
To me it looks that this rifle hasn't been refurbished.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1910 Arg. Mauser M1909 (long rifle)
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
-
Junk Yard Dog
- Owner/Founder
- Posts: 48743
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:54 pm
- Location: New York
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Yes, I recall reading about these in that Ukrainian authors book last year. Excellent find 
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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Rongo
- Administrator
- Posts: 6555
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- Location: Variable in my specific position of physical space
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
That's not something one see's everyday. 
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". Mark Twain
"Dang that entropy"
"Dang that entropy"
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Titanium Hammer
- Posts: 1537
- Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2013 2:16 pm
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Very cool! 
Would like to see that one in the Showcase down the road. Congrats!
Would like to see that one in the Showcase down the road. Congrats! -
Darryl
- Sniper Expert
- Posts: 6176
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:33 pm
- Location: Northern California
- Contact:
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Not many of them in the USA.
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Longcolt44
- Administrator
- Posts: 7574
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:13 pm
- Location: Loveland, Ohio
- Contact:
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
An outstanding collectible in your or any collection.
FREEDOM...USE IT OR LOSE IT!!
-
steelbuttplate
- Posts: 3938
- Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:24 pm
- Location: Foxhole in the Smoky Mtns. N.C.
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Very fine. That's gonna hurt the value of my French capture Mosin however.
" There are two kinds of people, the good people and the ones that aggravate the hell out of the good people"
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Wow that is a great catch! Probably wont see one in my lifetime....
Governments don't live together.
People live together.
Governments don't give you a fair word
or a fair fight. I've come here to give you either one.
Or get either one from you.
People live together.
Governments don't give you a fair word
or a fair fight. I've come here to give you either one.
Or get either one from you.
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
you can also buy only the bayo here
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Single examples of these bayonets now are also showing up here in Germany, but the prices called for them are absolutely insane (see here - STARTING(!) price 450 euros: http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=6625353). However, if they are available in the US for appreciably less this well might result in "home-made" M1891/30s with folding bayonets, since the bayonets aren't serial numbered, only sporting a few small production control stamps, if any... Due to the prevailing US import ban on firearms from Russia or former Soviet Union I can't imagine that any legal imports of genuine, complete rifles of this kind are possible at the moment - maybe a few may find their way across the Canadian border... So IF such a rifle will be offered in the US more than thorough checking whether it is a genuine or a home-made one wouldn't be a mistake, I guess. The pin securing the bayonet behind the front sight post normally is so tight to the post that it leaves a clear mark on it (only visible after drifting the pin out). If this mark looks like a pretty fresh scratch or is absent at all, this MIGHT be a hint for a home-made example. Additionally, the real examples all have more or less perfect stock cartouches and other stampings on the wooden parts and NO arsenal refurbish stamps on wood or metal. And according to the - albeit limited - documentation on this model these rifles were only made at Izhevsk, most of them obviously in 1943, but at least one example from 1944 is also known to exist in Austria so far.jack57000 wrote:you can also buy only the bayo here
1910 Arg. Mauser M1909 (long rifle)
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
1912 Braz. Mauser M1908 (long rifle)
1915 & 1943 Swed. Mauser M96
1934 Persian Mauser M1309
Two 1935 Braz. Mauser M1935 (short rifle)
1937 Braz. Mauser M1935 (long rifle)
1943 Finnish M39 (Sk.Y.)
1943 Izhevsk M1891/30 w. folding bay.
1943 Swiss K31
1947 Dutch "Wilhelmina" Mauser carbine
~1950 Hung. Lámpagyár Kispuska 48M (.22lr cadet rifle)
Two 1952 Hung. 48M
1955 British No. 4 Mk. 2
1968 Finnish M39
1977 6" Korth .357 Magnum
2012 H&K USP Expert .45 ACP
2016 H&K MR308 A3
2016 STEYR AUG Z
Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Very nice rifle. They are starting to pop up in the U.S. now as well. I will try and post some pics by Monday, but they are nowhere near as nice as yours 7x57.
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Re: My newest acquisition - Izhevsk-made M1891/30 with folding bayonet
Superior European craftsmanship maybe? Hehe Billcapt14k wrote:Very nice rifle. They are starting to pop up in the U.S. now as well. I will try and post some pics by Monday, but they are nowhere near as nice as yours 7x57.
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