Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
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Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
I placed a bid on this rifle rifle and somehow won it at only $275 + auction fees. It was very poorly advertised, but appears to be a World War I original Austrian captured M91. I see a nice "W" stamp on the stock, Austrian sling swivels, and no clear Finn markings. The auction house took just enough photos to give me a good clue what it was. When it arrives I'll get some better photos. After buying only Arisaka's for the last few months, it's nice to find a good Mosin.
Just have the auction house photos for now. Any thoughts?
Just have the auction house photos for now. Any thoughts?
A Comprehensive Guide to the Spanish Civil War Mosin Nagant
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
UPS just dropped the rifle off. It's an overcast day here, but I went out and took some photos. It's an interesting rifle, no doubt!
The sling swivels are clearly Austrian in origin. That along with the "W" on the top of the buttstock seems to solidify that the stock is at least WWI Austrian in origin. There is a faint cartouche on the side, but I can only make out the Imperial eagle and the "19". Seems lightly sanded perhaps (very smooth) but the finger grooves are still very strong. The graffiti on it is clearly very old.
Ok, as for the barreled action here is what I've determined. It's a 1915 Izhevsk with no Finnish marks on it. There is also no import mark. I cannot get the barrel out of the stock as someone buggered up the rear barrel band screw and I don't dare mess with it more. There is also a small screw keeping it from moving, but it is not Finnish in origin.The bore is a mess, with dirt and cobwebs and little rifling showing. It's clearly sat around unused for a long time. The only real unknown marking is the "T" on the receiver right under the Imperial eagle.
All the parts on this rifle are correct WWI era as far as I can tell. Several are Chatellerault marked, but none are WWII era that you'd expect on an M91 that was left in the Communist block post-WWII.
Is there any idea on the sling? It's ratty, but I'm not sure if it's military or civilian in origin. There are no markings at all on it.
So what's the overall opinion? I'll post this on the World War I forum as well. In any case I'm glad I was able to pick it up at the price I did. First rifle I've used my new C&R license with too!
The sling swivels are clearly Austrian in origin. That along with the "W" on the top of the buttstock seems to solidify that the stock is at least WWI Austrian in origin. There is a faint cartouche on the side, but I can only make out the Imperial eagle and the "19". Seems lightly sanded perhaps (very smooth) but the finger grooves are still very strong. The graffiti on it is clearly very old.
Ok, as for the barreled action here is what I've determined. It's a 1915 Izhevsk with no Finnish marks on it. There is also no import mark. I cannot get the barrel out of the stock as someone buggered up the rear barrel band screw and I don't dare mess with it more. There is also a small screw keeping it from moving, but it is not Finnish in origin.The bore is a mess, with dirt and cobwebs and little rifling showing. It's clearly sat around unused for a long time. The only real unknown marking is the "T" on the receiver right under the Imperial eagle.
All the parts on this rifle are correct WWI era as far as I can tell. Several are Chatellerault marked, but none are WWII era that you'd expect on an M91 that was left in the Communist block post-WWII.
Is there any idea on the sling? It's ratty, but I'm not sure if it's military or civilian in origin. There are no markings at all on it.
So what's the overall opinion? I'll post this on the World War I forum as well. In any case I'm glad I was able to pick it up at the price I did. First rifle I've used my new C&R license with too!
A Comprehensive Guide to the Spanish Civil War Mosin Nagant
Feel free to message me to contribute to my site!
Feel free to message me to contribute to my site!
- steelbuttplate
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
SWEEET
" There are two kinds of people, the good people and the ones that aggravate the hell out of the good people"
Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
Well the old war horse has a lot going on, I like it. Pretty neat mag swivel or what's left of it. I've seen that T on the receiver or barrel shank before but can't remember the details, sorry. Congrats it was a good score.
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
Evidently the sling is an Austrian M95 sling, which are very rare to come by. Certainly it must be original to the rifle. I had a feeling but wasn't 100% sure on that. That sling style is what necessitated the added sling swivels on most of these Austrian issued Mosin Nagants.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Spanish Civil War Mosin Nagant
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
That is pretty cool and interesting information on the sling. Awesome rifle by the way, I like it a lot, would have jumped on it also.lthilsdorf wrote:Evidently the sling is an Austrian M95 sling, which are very rare to come by. Certainly it must be original to the rifle. I had a feeling but wasn't 100% sure on that. That sling style is what necessitated the added sling swivels on most of these Austrian issued Mosin Nagants.
Mike
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TSgt, USAF Retired
Jan 86 - Sept 08
Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
(122X0, 1T1X1, 1P0X1)
NRA Life Member
- Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
Cool rifle, it's cool to me, but all that matters is it's cool to you, who cares what anyone else thinks. I bought lots of rifles like this back when issued looking Mosin 91's were looked down on as old Rooskie junk. These type rifles are my favorites in the collection, the most interesting, every mismatched part, scrape, ding and crack has a story behind it.
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
- bunkysdad
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
I really like this. Looks fresh off the battlefield. No replacement handguard, cool trench art, man this one probably has a lot of secrets. Good score.
- Longcolt44
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Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
Great example.
FREEDOM...USE IT OR LOSE IT!!
Re: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
I'll trade you for my Last ditch bringback
Yea, I already know the answer to that one...
Nice one!
Yea, I already know the answer to that one...
Nice one!
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: Non-Finn Austrian capture 1915 Izhevsk M91 (Poorly advertised auction)
I don't think i have seen marks that big on a rifle before,makes it unique.
I like it.
I like it.
Do Not Think Of Winning.
Think,Rather,Of Not Losing
Gichin Funakoshi
Think,Rather,Of Not Losing
Gichin Funakoshi