Russian Tula M91/30 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Bolt Action Sniper Rifle 1939 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,325.00
LSB#: LSB250605WH004
Make: Tula Arsenal
Model: M91/30
Serial Number: (Cyrillic) Zh R 352
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: 7.62x54R
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel shank is marked with a Tula star-and-arrow receiver mark, “1939” and followed by the letters ‘No’, Cyrillic “Zh R 352”, a Cyrillic S (C, for snayperskaya). The bottom of the magazine floor plate is marked Cyrillic “Zh R 352”. There are various small proof and acceptance marks throughout.
Barrel Length: 28”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch sliding escalator (Type 4) attached to the barrel. Included is a VP style Soviet-made scope and period-correct mounting bracket. The view through the scope is clear.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece wood stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, metal nose cap, cut out for the cleaning rod, two barrel bands, two sling eyelets, through bolt, and a steel buttplate. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are small compression marks, scuffs, scratches and areas of finish loss throughout the wood. There are some rust freckles on the steel buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The stock rates a Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal refinish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is scattered pitting present under the newer finish on the receiver, bolt, magazine, and trigger guard assembly. The sides of the magazine are heavily scratched. Overall, this rifle rates a Fine condition as arsenal refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A sling and scope are included.
Our Assessment: The Mosin Nagant M91/30 was the primary service rifle of the Soviet Union through the 1930s and into the Second World War. The 91/30 featured a number of improvements over the M91. The hooded front sight enabled easier target acquisition and the rear sight was redesigned to use meters. The 91/30 and its later iterations would serve not only the Soviet Union but many other nations including Hungary, Romania, Finland, and China.
This is an example of a pre-war Tula made M91/30. The rifle was arsenal refurbished at some point after its original manufacture date. The stock has been sanded. Most of the newer finish on the metal has been retained, though there is pitting underneath. The bore is semi-bright but the rifling is sharp and should make for a shooter.
This appears to be a sniper rifle. It certainly has all the parts, to include a “C” or snayperskaya sniper-grade barrel mark in the correct pre-war Tula Arsenal arrangement. The included scope is an authentic VP Soviet made telescopic sight from 1936-1940. But the installation of the mounting bracket for the scope is done with two round screws, rather than two main screws with cutouts for two lock screws. According to “The Mosin-Nagant Rifle”, by Terence W. Lapin, this most likely indicates a later stateside assembly of imported sniper rifle parts.
This would fit into any Mosin or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.tul
-C.B.
