1930 Izshevesk 91/30 Hex at my LGS, I'm intrigued

[MacTech]

First off, it's a Russian hex receiver model
The bore is bright and rifling sharp, bluing is strong, just a little wear where someone has fit and removed the bayonet
All serial numbers, even the bayonet, match
The strap slots have the original brass fittings with slotted screws
The strap appears new
The wood looks okay, a little wear, but not bad
All the cosmoline has been removed, even in the bolt


They're asking $170, I know that seems a bit higher than normal, do the complete matching numbers and original brass hardware add any value to it?

 

[TurtlePhish]

The price is a bit high, but you won't have to pay shipping or transfer fees.

The matching bayonet is RARE, they almost never match.

Plus you won't have to de-cosmoline it.

It sounds nice; I'd get it. Mosins are cool and fun.

 

[3twelves]

Paid $80 for my 1925 hex and put an ATI stock on it.

 

[303tom]

If you want a great old Military Rifle get your self a Mosin Nagant ! And yes $170.00 is a bit high but not outrageous, just tell em $170.00 & out the door...........

 

[3twelves]

J&G is now up to $100 for a 91/30 +40 for hand select with a good bore, so that deal is not looking that bad now.

Bought mine in 09

 

[wojownik]

Hmm, you might have an interesting deal there. Take a look an see if there are any arsenal refinishing markings on the rifle (such as a square cartouche with a diagonal line on the stock). If its is not rearsenaled, and the all matching numbers look original (i.e. not restamped for a force match), then the price is ... OK, maybe a bit high. Hopefully they can come down a few bucks for you.

Early hex 91/30s are relatively common, but 1930 is a first year of production, and if it is an original condition rifle, it can command a bit of a premium (especially if they do not have the giant dot matrix import stamp that CAI and others have been defacing rifles with over the past few years).

However, there is an off chance that this might be a "dragoon" rifle (dragoons were cut down M1891 for mounted troops. Production of dragoons and 91/30s overlapped during the early 30s).

If the rear sight leaf is curved (not flat), its is very likely a dragoon (standard 91/30s had a flat rear sight leaf). You can also tell by looking at the dovetail (rail) on the barrel - the rail on dragoon rifles were shorter than the one on the 91/30s. If this turns out to be a dragoon, it is worth at least $170, probably more, and is quite uncommon (i.e. very collectible). Especially if it still as the blade sight like the 1891 (most were refitted with 91/30 style sights, though. These are the "ex-dragoons").

 

[Cosmoline]

It's a fair price for a refurb and a great price for a late matching Dragoon. As noted, the rear sight is the tell. As I understand the evolution of the model, the line between dragoon and 91/30 is fuzzy and includes a number of steps. There was also constant retrofitting and a very active process of rearsenalling the rifles, so a lot of the "frozen in time" early 91-30's or intact Dragoons come via the Finns who captured them in the Winter War. If it has an SA stamp that's likely what you're looking at. Collector's interest is not too high for some reason. Which is odd considering these early Soviet rifles led to the most prolific bolt action rifle type in history, and one of the most successful rifles of all time.

Check out this article:

http://www.mosinnagant.net/ussr/soviet-m9130.asp

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I'd buy it. With the bore being described as it is, if it's not countersunk it should be very accurate. The matching bayo is a plus.

 

[bainter1212]

You should probably grab it. I have many mosins and have looked at hundreds more, and I have never seen one with a bore that was completely devoid of frosting in the grooves. Take a real close look at the bore when you see it next. Sometimes its hard to see at first. Hurry on it though. A few weeks ago I saw an M38 carbine in my LGS, told myself I would come back the next day and buy it. Sure enough it was gone the next day good luck!

 

[Cosmoline]

Well the rearsenaled ones do have minty bores sometimes, but they're also oversized.

 

[Roadking Rider]

I'd pass for $170. My 1942 IZZY has all matching numbers but I believe the numbers were force matched when it was refurbed. Russians were known to force match the numbers. I paid $110 out the door for mine. Shoots like a dream and undernieth all that peeling finish was a beautiful laminate stock. There are alot of MN out there in great condition for less then $170. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[MacTech]

I've put it on layaway, mainly because it gives me 90 days to think it over, and to inspect the racks for "better" rifles, if I find a better rifle, I can cancel the layaway and put what I paid towards it towards the better gun

As far as the matching numbers go, they're all original stamped numbers, no forced matching

I'm fully aware that Mosins are just a good, basic rifle, and there are far better more modern choices, as well as better historic choices, and the main appeal of the 91/30 is the affordable price of gun and ammo, but I just like the gun, I'm getting an authentic WWII relic that shoots inexpensive ammo for a mere pittance

Plus, I'm planning on refinishing the stock, strip off the shellac and refinish with an oil finish like tung oil or tru oil

 

[Ash]

I'm not sure what would be better historically - just different depending on the persons desire. In any case, you'll likely be pleased with that one.

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

Hope you end up buying it (unless you find a comparable but better Mosin over the 90 days). Depending on your intended use, they are a great value, fun, and of course there is the history. As noted above, $170 for a matching ex-dragoon or an early 91-30 with a good bore is not bad when there's no shipping on top of it. Especially if you like it, want it, and it works out for you. Then it's a great deal - and as you mentioned, at about 18 cents a round, the ammo cost cannot be beat.

Consider stripping it and shellacking it. Very easy and quick, and keeps some of its original appearance. Inspect the stock once stripped - it might be worth it to "cook" the stock inside a black plastic trash bag in the sun for a while to bleed any cosmo out - whether you shellack it or use oil, you'll want the cosmo out. Sticky and smelly wood can result from heavily soaked stocks if not cleaned up.

I'd also inspect the metal parts very closely, when disassembled, especially the chamber and the recesses near the chamber, for any cosmoline. Can't hurt to heat the metal parts in water, then soak them in mineral spirits (a few times). Cosmo in key spots is the leading cause of function problems with Mosins (which problems are rare, in any case). If you care to, buffing up the contact surfaces on the bolt with dremel/felt/polishing compound can make cycling the bolt smoother without altering the rifle. And don't forget the 5-lb sledge hammer in your range bag for "clearing malfunctions" (joking - you prob. won't need it, but these rifles are tough and people do hammer on the bolt and seem to get away with it).

As the poster Cosmoline above suggested, go to that website and read up on the history. Thanks to WWII and the numbers produced, definitely one of the more important and interesting rifles ever made.

 

[Centurian22]

Another great source of info:

www.7.62x54r.net

Sounds like a great gun. Enjoy.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Not too high, but I'd say $170 after tax and a box of ammo or two.

I gave $160 for mine (1932 hex) with ALL the trimmings and 200 rounds of ammo.