RARE Hungarian M52 Mosin Nagant Sniper Rifle 7.62x54R, Sling & Scope – C&R
Make: Hungarian Mosin-Nagant
Model: M52 Sniper Rifle
Serial Number: BC4349
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: 7.62 X 54R
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Magazine
Markings: The barrel chamber is marked “02” (Communist Block code for Hungary), “1953”, a small Hungarian crest, and “BC4349”. The right side of the barrel chamber is marked with 2 circled proofs. The top right side of the receiver (as seen with bolt open) is marked with a circled “53” and a circled “M”. The top of the bolt (when open) is marked with “BC4349”. The right side of the bolt (when open) is marked “02”, a circled “B” and another proof. The rear sight base is marked with a circled “M” on the right side and “02” under the ladder. The underside of the slider on the ladder is marked “02”. The right side of both barrel bands and the nose cap are all marked “02”, as is the cleaning rod. The top of the safety is marked “02” and the back of the knob with a circled “7”. The top of the buttplate is marked “02 / BC4349”. The magazine floorplate is marked “BC4349” and the tang in front of it “02”. The forend is marked “B” in front of the magazine plate. The buttstock is marked with a circled “5” on the right side and a boxed “1” on the top just in front of the buttplate. The scope is marked “41 / 1952 / J13684” and “1450” and the scope mount “02”, a circled “18” and a Hungarian Crest.
Barrel Length: 28 ¾”
Sights / Optics: This rifle is mounted with a sliding elevator marked “1-20”. The front sight is a hooded post dovetailed into a base atop the barrel. It is also mounted with a scope having a German post reticle. The windage knob has a Vernier adjustment marked from -10 to +10 and the elevation knob from 0 to 13. The outside of the scope has leather dust covers with a strip of leather connecting them. The outside of the scope shows pitting at the objective and the front part of the scope under the cover shows surface loss from sanding. The adjustment knobs show thinning and there is a scratch on the top of the scope at the rear. The lenses show a slight occlusion on the outer edge of the lenses at the 5:30 position.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks consist of a one piece buttstock and forend, with a handguard held by 2 bands. The buttstock has a metal carbine style buttplate and a slot for a sling, with a corresponding slot in the forend section. There is a sling installed. The buttstock has a smooth, straight grip. The forend has a slot with hole for mounting a cleaning rod (supplied). The wood is light in color with an oiled finish. It shows light handling marks with a tiny chip on the left side of the butt at the buttplate. The worst marks are a 1” scratch on the right side near the butt and a small compression on the right side below the back of the bolt. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark near the muzzle and the rifling is deep. There is erosion in the grooves near the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a small amount of frosting on the bolt around the base of the bolt handle and the bottom left side of the magazine shows thinning. The screw head at the front of the magazine is slightly disfigured. The markings are clear, except for some of the proofs, which are faint. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: In addition to the scope and its mount, this rifle comes with a green canvas military style sling and a cleaning rod. The sling is 1 3/8” wide with dark brown leather straps that go through the slots in the forend and buttstock. The sling has a dark brown leather slide and a steel adjustment buckle, and has several letters we cannot read stamped on it. The leather straps and slide are in Excellent condition with no cracks in the leather, and the canvas is slightly dirty. Overall, the sling is in Fine to Excellent condition. The cleaning rod is in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: The Hungarian M52 is a direct copy of the original Soviet Model 1891/30 sniper rifle. The most identifying feature is the “02” stamped on nearly every part, which is the Communist Bloc code for Hungary. This rifle is a great find, in great shape and complete with both scope and period correct sling. It should have high appeal to Mosin Nagant collectors and collectors of Cold War weapons. It also has a shootable bore, and 7.62x54R ammo is inexpensive, making it a perfect hunting rifle, and with a scope that you don’t have to count clicks to adjust.
Sold For: $1,250
