Mosin Carbine Addict

[Doug S]

I had planned on taking my M44 to the range on Saturday, but got an unexpected call from a friend asking if I’d like to go to a local gun show today. I picked up a M44 last weekend, so I thought this might be an opportunity to pick up a M38 also. While walking through the show, I saw a number of M38 & 44's in the $80-$140 range depending on stock & numbers. All of the M-38's that I saw had M44 stocks, no original stocks. I decided to hold off on the purchase, but when walking out of the show, I noticed a man carrying a Mosin carbine on his shoulder with a for sale sign. It happened to be a M38 with original stock and dog collar sling. Being the weak person that my wife believes me to be, I couldn’t resist & now my M44 has a companion. It is dated 1943 and has triangle/arrow markings. Machining marks are noticeably more rough than on my M44 (1944), but that is the norm from what I understand. Also the stampings are not as straight & as distinct. The stock is covered in a thick reddish lacquer, & has no metal insert in the rear and only the lower metal piece in the front slot. The bore is nice. The numbers mostly match (on the receiver, bolt, buttplate), but the floorplate has a lined out number and then a matching stamped number next to it. I think I’m done buying Mosin carbines for now (at least that’s what I told the wife. I just hope I don’t stumble onto one of the 91-59's any time soon. I again paid a little more than I had hoped ($100), but I liked the idea of original stock. Here is a picture of the happy couple. Maybe I’ll actually get to shoot them next weekend.

 

[Route 66]

Nice carbines! Does the M44 have a laminated stock?

 

[greyhound]

It is dated 1943 and has triangle/arrow markings.

The triangle/arrow mark means it was made at the Iszhevek (sp?) factory; the other big plant was the Tula factory. I have heard the Tula ones are more desirable, but what the heck.

I have a 1943 91/30 from there, my stampings and markings are also really rough, kinda understandable since the war was at its high point so I guess cosmetics weren't priority one.


Can't decide if I want a M44 or a SKS next. Kinda leaning towards the SKS.

 

[GD]

You did well Doug. M38s in original stock are harder to come by and it looks like you found a good one. I think it was well worth what you paid for it (at the Tulsa show two years ago, a M38 in a M38 stock was generally selling for over $200).

 

[Doug S]

Thanks for the responses. It fun researching the history of these rifles.

Route 66, Yes the M44 has a laminate stock

greyhound, I had the same problem, SKS or Carbine. I found a Yugo for $110 at the last gun show. The Yugo's are pretty affordable right now if you shop around.

GD, Thanks for the feedback. I didn't feel that the price was too bad since I was able to avoid tax, transfer & get a sling. Also I got to look the rifle over first.

 

[Kalos]

The triangle/arrow mark means it was made at the Iszhevek (sp?) factory; the other big plant was the Tula factory. I have heard the Tula ones are more desirable, but what the heck.

Tulas are more desirable just because they're somewhat rarer--appearantly Tula was doing other things, and Izshevsk was making most of the Mosins. There's not really any quality difference.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

Doug,
a m38 from 1943 might be one of the more rare years.....i think?
BSR