What do you guys think about this:
A month or so ago, I bought a nice Finnish M28/30 Mosin Nagant. Here's its rundown:
- Made by Sako
- Made in 1940
-All matching numbers-- including bolt handle with actual stamp, not electro.
- SA stamped
- "D" Bore
- NO cracks in any wood
- Dogcollar sling looks original (heavy oil soaked into the leather)
Now the ugly part:
- Receiver has been drilled and tapped.
- Rifle came with a Williams Side Scope mount on it. (Made for Mauser?)
- Has a cheap 3x9 scope on it
- Bolt handle has been turned down to approximately 45 degrees (not a sniper turn-down and extension.)
- Front Sight Base is missing
- Rear Sight leaf and spring are missing
- The stock has been inlet to allow for the Williams scope mount
It gets better:
After finally doing a throughout examination of the rifle, I discovered the inconcievable--
The left rear riser (protective leaf) on the Rear Sight Base was CUT shorter to allow for this scope! The cut was made very cleanly -- but it isn't cut straight-- it has a slight decline to it towards the rear of the rifle.
This comes to my delimma.
While I am not opposed to some modifications to non-collector milsurps for the purpose of putting the rifle to real and practical use, I would NOT do some of the things that have been done to this rifle.
Furthermore, considering the nature of this particular rifle and its collector aspects, I wouldn't have done ANYTHING to this one.
However...
I think we can safely say the collector value has been shot to hell with the drilling and tapping as well as cutting the protective ear down on the rear sight base (this rear sight base is serial numbered to the rifle).
I'd like to use the rifle as another deer hunting rifle. I don't want to put too much more money into the rifle. And I would like to keep it in a military configuration (but will leave a scope on it).
Here is my thoughts and I'd like to hear your thoughts on if this seems reasonable:
1. I am considering leveling and rounding the shortened Rear sight protective leaf that has been cut down to give it a finished look.
2. I am considering trimming the other Rear Sight protective leaf down to match the left one and finishing them both. I think this would basically hide that bubba'ing to all but the collector's eyes.
3. Since the holes drilled and tapped into the receiver are not in the same location for a PU mount, I am stuck with the Williams mount (for now). I am considering getting higher rise scope rings to give a bit more height to the scope (it is very low to the rifle now.) I'll then either use this scope or get a bit higher quality one.
4. With extra height on the scope rings, I can install a Rear Sight Leaf and Spring. I don't know if I could use the sights, but it would be nice to have them on the rifle. You cannot find Finnish M28/30 leafs anywhere, but the Finnish M39 leaf is practically identical and will fit the rifle.
5. I will be adding a Finnish M39 Front sight as well. This is essentially the same as the one found on the M28/30.
6. Finally, because I will be using the scope (I may as well) I am considering having the bolt handle converted to the sniper bend down. This involves splicing more material into the bolt handle and doing a full turn-down. I would be sending it off to do this. OR--- Since this bolt handle IS stamped matching the rifle, would it be better to bend this one back out straight, and then purchase a sniper bent bolt body to use with the scope? That would roughly be the same cost as having the matching numbers bolt handle converted.
What do you guys think? I feel this would be the best balance I could come up with for utility and keeping the right "feel" in the rifle. I am working with pre-bubba'ing so I have to work within those constraints. As I see it, the rifle's collector value can never be recovered, but I can put it in a classic yet functional configuration.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
John
A month or so ago, I bought a nice Finnish M28/30 Mosin Nagant. Here's its rundown:
- Made by Sako
- Made in 1940
-All matching numbers-- including bolt handle with actual stamp, not electro.
- SA stamped
- "D" Bore
- NO cracks in any wood
- Dogcollar sling looks original (heavy oil soaked into the leather)
Now the ugly part:
- Receiver has been drilled and tapped.
- Rifle came with a Williams Side Scope mount on it. (Made for Mauser?)
- Has a cheap 3x9 scope on it
- Bolt handle has been turned down to approximately 45 degrees (not a sniper turn-down and extension.)
- Front Sight Base is missing
- Rear Sight leaf and spring are missing
- The stock has been inlet to allow for the Williams scope mount
It gets better:
After finally doing a throughout examination of the rifle, I discovered the inconcievable--
The left rear riser (protective leaf) on the Rear Sight Base was CUT shorter to allow for this scope! The cut was made very cleanly -- but it isn't cut straight-- it has a slight decline to it towards the rear of the rifle.
This comes to my delimma.
While I am not opposed to some modifications to non-collector milsurps for the purpose of putting the rifle to real and practical use, I would NOT do some of the things that have been done to this rifle.
Furthermore, considering the nature of this particular rifle and its collector aspects, I wouldn't have done ANYTHING to this one.
However...
I think we can safely say the collector value has been shot to hell with the drilling and tapping as well as cutting the protective ear down on the rear sight base (this rear sight base is serial numbered to the rifle).
I'd like to use the rifle as another deer hunting rifle. I don't want to put too much more money into the rifle. And I would like to keep it in a military configuration (but will leave a scope on it).
Here is my thoughts and I'd like to hear your thoughts on if this seems reasonable:
1. I am considering leveling and rounding the shortened Rear sight protective leaf that has been cut down to give it a finished look.
2. I am considering trimming the other Rear Sight protective leaf down to match the left one and finishing them both. I think this would basically hide that bubba'ing to all but the collector's eyes.
3. Since the holes drilled and tapped into the receiver are not in the same location for a PU mount, I am stuck with the Williams mount (for now). I am considering getting higher rise scope rings to give a bit more height to the scope (it is very low to the rifle now.) I'll then either use this scope or get a bit higher quality one.
4. With extra height on the scope rings, I can install a Rear Sight Leaf and Spring. I don't know if I could use the sights, but it would be nice to have them on the rifle. You cannot find Finnish M28/30 leafs anywhere, but the Finnish M39 leaf is practically identical and will fit the rifle.
5. I will be adding a Finnish M39 Front sight as well. This is essentially the same as the one found on the M28/30.
6. Finally, because I will be using the scope (I may as well) I am considering having the bolt handle converted to the sniper bend down. This involves splicing more material into the bolt handle and doing a full turn-down. I would be sending it off to do this. OR--- Since this bolt handle IS stamped matching the rifle, would it be better to bend this one back out straight, and then purchase a sniper bent bolt body to use with the scope? That would roughly be the same cost as having the matching numbers bolt handle converted.
What do you guys think? I feel this would be the best balance I could come up with for utility and keeping the right "feel" in the rifle. I am working with pre-bubba'ing so I have to work within those constraints. As I see it, the rifle's collector value can never be recovered, but I can put it in a classic yet functional configuration.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
John
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