WWII Izhevsk Mosin Nagant PU Sniper 7.62x54R Bolt-Action Rifle MFD 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 211002NI41
Make: Izhevsk Mechanical Plant
Model: Mosin Nagant 1891/30 PU Sniper
Serial#: Cyrillic Serial number GI458
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 7.62x54mmR
Action Type: Bolt-Action Rifle with Fixed Magazine
Markings: The markings are in Cyrillic and have been romanized. The barrel shank has Izhevsk markings including a faded hammer and circle surrounded by wheat, “1944G” (1944 Goda, the year 1944), the serial number “GI458”, an Izhevsk arrow inside a triangle. The base of the rear sight is marked with a faded Izhevsk proof. The magazine is marked with the serial number “GI458”. The buttplate has the serial number “GI458” marked on it. The bolt features the serial number “GI458” and Izhevsk proof marks. The bent-bolt features a longer handle specific to the sniper variant of the m91/30. The barrel bands have Izhevsk proof marks. The right side of the forend is marked with a star. The right side of the butt features a box with a “/” through it which indicates the stock was refurbished at Arsenal No. 1 in Balakleya and “458”. The top of the comb is marked with a T inside a circle. The belly is marked with a “T”.
Barrel Length: 29”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed post on a ramp with a protective hood. There is also a tangent leaf rear sight with a “U”-notch which is graduated in 100s of meters from 1-20, inclusive. There is also a PU (Pritsyel Ukorochyennyy which translates to shortened sight) 3.5×21 scope which is attached to a base which has been screwed onto the left side of the receiver. The scope features the numbers “MI4937” and “26960” marked on its base with an electric pencil while the top of the scope is marked with a hammer and sickle under a star, the date of manufacture “1945” and the serial number “B-160462”. The scope is adjustable and features a German style reticle, the reticle is sharp and the glass is clear. The scope has some handling wear which includes small scratches, nicks and scuffs. Overall, the scope is in Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The arsenal refurbished stocks are two-piece wood featuring a hand guard, a slot for the included cleaning rod, two barrel bands and their springs, a sling eyelet with a washer, a through bolt, straight wrist, slightly curved comb, sling eyelet with washer and a metal buttplate. The stocks have some small scrapes, nicks, scratches and more general handling marks. Notably, there is a patch repair on the belly of the butt and a small crack on the right side of the forend that originates from the through bolt. The LOP is 13.5” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has some handling wear and some minor finish loss around the leading edges. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some erosion in the bore concentrated in the grooves.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. There are some light handling marks, scratches, nicks and scuffs in addition to some light oxidation. Although some of the markings have faded, most remain clear. The screwheads are serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety works correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: There is a scope which is described in the sights/optics section above, a pair of leather scope lens covers, a canvas scope cover and a sling. The sling is a faded olive drab and features a worn stamp. The sling has some handling marks but remains in Very good condition.
Our Assessment: This Izhevsk Mosin Nagant model 1891/30 Sniper PU is a bolt-action rifle that takes 7.62x54mmR rounds. The rifle has features unique to the sniper variant of the M91/30 including a longer bent-bolt handle but the scope mount is not serial matched and the scope itself was manufactured a year after the rifle. The M91/30 was the most widely produced variant of the Mosin Nagant rifle and it saw service in a number of conflicts including a clash against the Japanese during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939, the Winter War against Finland in 1940 and the Great Patriotic War (WWII). The rifle was used to great effect during the battle of Stalingrad by soviet marksmen. Notably, Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev dispatched over 200 German troops, including a number of snipers, with his M91/30 during the epic battle. Following WWII, the sniper variant of the M91/30 was retired in the Soviet Union but it would continue to see service throughout the Cold War by its allies. Based on the bolt it would seem this was an original factory manufactured sniper variant of the m91/30, but the scope and its mount are not original to the rifle. This is a unique WWII vintage sniper rifle you do not want to miss out on!