milsurps numbers matching?

[favorite .22]

alot of times i see milsurp rifles being advertised as all numbers match. whats the deal with that? what exactly does that mean? if you buy one that the numbers dont match is that illegal or cheaper? personally i dont care if the numbers match or not i want a gun functions well.if if its cheaper ,then i want it.

 

[jlmurphy]

When the rifle leaves the factory, the receiver and bolt are stamped with the same number, sometimes all the parts. After some period of service, the arsenal examines the rifle and replaces anything out of spec, and usually crosses out the old number and restamps or electric pencils a new number that matches the receiver. Matching numbers means that the bolt has been fitted to that rifle and is probably safe to fire. Matching original numbers increase the value to a collector.

 

[R.W.Dale]

ON most forigen Milsurp rifles the major components are numberd to match the last few digits of the serial number, IE bolts , stocks , barrels, ect ect. So If the numbers match that means you're not buying a rifle put togeather from a bucket of parts that may or may not have been fitted properly.

 

[Cosmoline]

It matters more with some rifles than others. You really have to know the specifics of which rifle you're buying and whether the numbers are original.

 

[tikka_fan]

Back in ye olde days, government gun manufacturers put serial numbers on everything: the bolt, the stock, the barrel you name it.

Basically "numbers matching" means the gun has the same parts it had when it left the factory. A lot of times governments would recycle old guns by using the good parts from different guns to make a new one.

When a parts gun like that has the old serial numbers ground off and new ones electropenciled on that's called "forced matching" serial numbers.

Matching serial numbers has to do with the collector value of the firearm. Like an old muscle car that has the same engine from the factory is worth more than one that has one from a different car. Although some old guns were routinely made from parts like Finnish Mosin Nagants. That doesn't hurt their collector value.

I have a Mosin Nagant (M39) that has a bolt with different manufacturer for every part. The only part that matches is the electropenciled number on the bolt handle.

I love milsurps, I'm up to 6 of them myself.

 

[Steve in PA]

Also, make sure they are not "force matched".

Numbers stamped or engraved after they have been re-furbished, not matching numbers as they left the factory.

 

[favorite .22]

thanks for all the replies.they are very helpful

 

[BoySetsTheFire]

As said above, it depends on the gun. The milsurp M1 Garand has a serial number on the receiver, but none of the other numbers will ever match because they are drawing numbers and not serial numbers.

 

[kennedy]

mausers should match
enfields should match
russian mosin nagants most likly will not
orginal finn mosin nagants like the m27 should match
swiss k31 should match
carcanos will not
US made stuff don`t have the numbers on all the parts, only manufactor
sks should match
hakim and rasheed should match
Gew 88 should match
lugers should match
jap arisakas should match
plus others someone here can add to the list