[Trueno]

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/saigabarrel308.jpg
http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/308tigr1273.jpg
http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/308tigr1272.jpg
http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/308tigr1274.jpg
http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/saigabarrel308_marking.jpg





Installed in a Saiga .308 rifle:
http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb390/AK_junky/ak_Saiga/saiga014.jpg





I picked this barrel assy up on Gunbroker back in '07, I think the seller was in Connecticut. Has a British proof mark so it appears to have been in England once upon a time.

It's 26" long,
OD is 7/8",
chambered in .308,
gas block is steel (fluted to match the barrel),
handguard is slightly modified 308 Saiga,
rear sight base and gas tube are stock 308 Saiga.

There are 2 small holes on the underside at the muzzle, probably for some type of front sight, muzzle is about 7/8" OD. From what I can see, excellent craftsmanship overall, any ideas as to who might have done the work?

t


PS: a shoutout from Texas to Georgia...many (MANY!) thanks to Saiga board member superhawk138 for his help over the years in trying to help solve this mystery.

[56hawk]

Pretty sure it's from a Valmet Petra.

[Trueno]

OD of the barrel is around 7/8" at the muzzle, didn't know any Valmets were that large(?)


eta - edited OP to reflect that dimension.

t

[56hawk]

I think you are right. I was just looking at the hand guard which really looks like a Valmet.

[WardenWolf]

It looks like it came off a Super VEPR rifle. See here:

http://www.k-var.com/shop/VPR-601.html

That would be my best guess.

[lefteyedom]

Your uncle Bob?

[chris in va]

Did a little digging.

BNP is a proof mark from the British Proof House in Birmingham.

Beyond that, don't know.

[Girodin]

It looks like it came off a Super VEPR rifle. See here

I guess if you ignore the length, the gas block, the lack of a brake, the proof marks, etc then it kind of does in the sense they are both heavier profile barrels with flutes.

[Trueno]

Your uncle Bob?

No, he weaves.