Help identifying father's old bolt action rifle

A Mosin Nagant model 1891 caliber 7.62x54R Russian that has had the stock cut back.

Manufactured in 1929.

1929 Ishevsk M91/30 ruined by someone sometime in the past. That's actually one of the better looking sporters of a Mosin I've seen. At least have the headspace checked out before firing.

The value is only as a shooter, roughly $100-200 at most. They are decent deer rifles with softpoint rounds. If you shoot it with surplus ammo, be sure to clean it right away, and cleaning as for black powder is best, using hot water. This neutralizes the corrosives from the primers that were used in ComBloc ammo.

Because you say you are not familiar with firearms, I recommend taking it to a gunsmith. Probably safe to shoot as is. The Mosin Nagants are robust rifles. Be advised that recoil can be significant. Be sure you get the correct ammunition. The gunsmith may be able to assist you with particulars and safe operation. I would treasure it if it belonged to my father.

Yup, mostly sentimental value, but should shoot fine if the headspace checks out- these guns often had the bolts swapped out during their long service lives.

They do kick pretty good, so be prepared. Indeed, if you are new to shooting, you may want to take a safety course and put in some time with a .22 first. Many ranges rent them. The Mosin could be a handful to a new shooter.

At least the ammo is relatively inexpensive. I think walmart still carries it- 7.62x54R, usually made by a company called Wolf. This ammo is supposed to be non-corrosive, but cleaning after shooting is still a good idea.

I like Hoppes foaming gun cleaner for inside the barrel (the bore), just follow the directions on the bottle. The exposed blue steel parts should be wiped down with an oiled rag or use a protectant like Remoil or CLP to prevent rust. Lastly, get a case for it and keep it in a cool, dry place.

Glad you got a nice memento there. Welcome to the world of shooting sports. The folks at this forum are great and please feel free to ask anything.

Cleaning the barrel with an ammonia based product like Windex will neutralize the corrosive primer residue. You still need to scrub & oil like usual as well.

Good luck with it.

Mark Masut said:

Thanks everyone for the input. Appreciate all the knowledge. I will definitely take everyone's advice and have the gun checked by a professional and obtain the correct and best ammo. The gun appears original as the serial number on the bolt matches the gun (98713). I

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Ahhh, you would think so, but when the arsenals rebuilt or reconditioned the guns between wars, they would find a good bolt, then grind off the original serial number of that bolt and restamp or electro- pencil a new number on it to match the gun. This was called force-matching numbers.

Doesnt necessarily mean it isnt the original or that it wont work fine, just be aware this was a common practice on old military rifles.

Congrats on your heirloom! Mosin-Nagants in their original military dress were going for $150 and under 10 years ago... but that was 10 years ago. They are immensely strong, and the 7.65x54r Russian cartridge is comparable to the .30-06 in power (and recoil). The triggers are dirt-simple, mechanically, and are not conducive to good accuracy. Yours appears to have the original military sights, so you may have trouble getting it on target. I have read that the Soviet SOP was to go into action with bayonets mounted, always, and so these things were sighted at the arsenal with a bayonet hanging out front. Without the sticker, the barrel may not hit where the sights are pointed. If your experience confirms, consult with a gunsmith about adjusting (or replacing) the sights. Or just hang it on a wall.

That's not the original front sight. And Col. Harrumph is right, the triggers on these are not the best.

In addition to all of the above information, I wish to express my condolences for the loss of your father. It is no easy river to cross in accepting the weakness, and ultimate demise, of the rock that we, as men, have shaped ourselves after. Be easy and carry his memory and wisdom as best you can.

entropy said:

1929 Ishevsk M91/30 ruined by someone sometime in the past.

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M91, not 91/30. The stock looks like a Finn pot belly sans the sling hangers. Look for an [SA] stamp on the barrel, that will indicate it was used by the Finnish military.

The stock was indeed ruined by a "bubba fudd" and original un-cut replacements are expensive and very hard to find.

Bill

Mea Culpa. Duh, it's a 1929.

I have a 1930 Tula that is a 91/30. Good catch on the stock, you can see the joint line right at the front of the Konavelov rear sight. (which should have been my other clue it is an M91....)

would you know what this rifle is?

kevlewy said:

would you know what thisView attachment 954051 View attachment 954052 View attachment 954053 View attachment 954054 View attachment 954055 View attachment 954056 View attachment 954057 View attachment 954058 View attachment 954059 rifle is?

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Type 99 Arisaka. Standard rifle of the Japanese Army in WW2. Yours has been cut down and "sporterized" with an aftermarket stock and sights. Pristine examples are only recently beginning to go up in value. Due to the condition and modifications, that one is worth maybe $150. Honestly, the rear sight alone is worth more than the whole gun.

They were originally chambered in 7.7mm calibre, but this ammo is expensive and hard to find now. Many were rather shoddily converted to .30-06. I would definitely have it inspected by a qualified gunsmith before attempting to shoot it.

It's an Arisaka. Nightlord40K beat me by seconds.

What's with the bent bolt handle? Is that an end-user modification, or were there some Arisakas made with bent bolts?

What are the chunks out of the stock below the bolt sleeve/safety?
Bad stock fit? Bubba belatedly realized he had to clear the sear lug?

Never mind.

Thanks for the info. Not sure why the stock is missing some wood by the bolt. It was given to me in the condition it is in. But thanks to all. Kevin

You probably want the gunsmith to "slug" both of those, as it was not uncommon for people to put on a Bubba hat and ream them to fit 'murikan calibers to lesser and greater success.

Probably far too many 7.7 Arisaka out there where Cletus chucked a .30-06 chamber reamer in the 3/8" Craftsman drill and "fixed" the rifle. Now, some of the late-war versions were all too close, just on tolerance. Hence the need for getting that chamber casting.

And there were plenty of people who had no access to 54R for the moisin who just shot whatever they had in it if the bolt closed and it went "bang." And would not have disclosed this before selling it, either.

The arisaka originally had a straight bolt handle. It’s been bent presumably to clear the sight that’s been added to it.

arisakas were very commonly sportered in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s by the vets that brought them back during the war. That one looks to have all the bells and whistles. Arisaka actions were very strong, as described by some of the prominent gun writers of the day. But yes, some conversions were not done well and added to a false impression that the arisaka was not a safe design.

If in original chambering, and all parts are present, the Mosin should be safe to shoot. Bolts were often swapped among guns during refurbishment, but headspace is rarely an issue with this type of gun.

The r after the 1929 is a russian abbreviation for “year”. Sometimes there is another, older, year stamped underneath the rear tang that confirms original year of manufacture for that receiver. The Soviets didn’t throw much away and often recycled receivers and built updated service rifles with them. Your smith can dismount the action from the wood and check it, if you ask. An antique receiver (1898 or older) commands a little extra value.

by all means, please have a smith check these for safety, find some ammo, go shoot, and cherish these treasures from your old man.

Sovblocgunfan said:

The r after the 1929 is a russian abbreviation for “year”. .

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Thanks!! Learned something new today.

BTW, for those who don't know: though it looks like an "r", it isn't.

(the Cyrillic letter for the "r" phoneme looks like a Latin alphabet "p" )