[firestar]

Are any better than other? I may have left out a country so I left a write in option for you.

[cratz2]

Only one I own is Polish. So I guess that's how I'll vote. :p

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

A coupl of weeks ago the wife and I were in an acquaintances' pawn shop when I spied a nice Polish M44, 1955 vintage. Absolutely perfect, not even a primer ring on the bolt face. They invited me around the back of the counter to get it off the rack, which I did. Nice blonde wood, no mars of any kind, flawless dark bluing (paint, anybody?), impeccable bore. Remarkably smooth trigger, which surprised me. My wife came over to where I was drooling on it, having suddenly lost interest in the jewelry at that point, and relieved me of it. After a cursory once-over, she pronounced it "hers". She thinks it's a little muzzle-heavy with the cruciform folding bayonet and wants me to remove it. Heresy!
I bought her 3 boxes of ball for it and a PAST shoulder pad as it has the issue steel buttplate. I've shot short-barrelled 30-06's and she hasn't. I don't want her to get mad when it shoulder punches her, although she's no biger than Runt, whose likeness I showed her holding her own M44. I 'splained to her that if Runt can shoot one, she can too, and if she wants to swap me her 6.5x55 Swede then more power to her. Maybe if the rain lets up this weekend we can get out to the range to play with it.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[cratz2]

Sounds about like mine. Mine's a 1953 but like yours, it absolutely did not have a mark on it. The crown area is completely silver with no bluing. Not sure if they came like this as this is the only one I've ever seen in this condition. I was sure it had been restocked at least but the shop owner assured me he received 10 just like this one supposedly completely original and unissued.

Also, the wood was a bit lighter but I applied several coats of tung oil which darkened it a bit.

http://photos.imageevent.com/cratz2/guns//DCP_1556a.jpg

[3 gun]

When I pick my M44 up the dealer had many rifles from several different countries in a wide range of condition. I spent an hour going up and down the table looking each over. From what I saw the Russian rifles where the better rifles. I picked up one from 1946 with a laminated stock for under $95 out the door. Great rifle, wish I'd bought more than one.