Hello all. I recently picked up this 1939 M38 and would like to share some pics to gain some insight on it. This one sits in a type 1 M38 stock and has, what appears to me, all original matching serials. There are no import marks that I can find. The rifle has obviously been refinished with re-bluing and a sanded and refinished stock. Oddly the sling escutcheons are nailed in which I have never seen before. The stock wrist has been shaved down slightly and feels similar to a 91/38 I once owned. All parts are Izhevsk marked and it has the correct early rear sight. The sling has oddly been stapled which remains hidden under the stock straps. Part of me thinks some kind of arsenal refinish but then perhaps it was Bubba doing a fastidious job on the rifle. Also, the rifles serial is within 100 of a 1940 dated one that I saw posted by a member here back in 2017 that is also all matching without import stamps, albeit with a slightly different finish. Perhaps just coincidence though. Any thoughts, comments, or input is much appreciated.
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Patient957
1939 M38
Hello all. I recently picked up this 1939 M38 and would like to share some pics to gain some insight on it. This one sits in a type 1 M38 stock and has, what appears to me, all original matching serials. There are no import marks that I can find. The rifle has obviously been refinished with re-bluing and a sanded and refinished stock. Oddly the sling escutcheons are nailed in which I have never seen before. The stock wrist has been shaved down slightly and feels similar to a 91/38 I once owned. All parts are Izhevsk marked and it has the correct early rear sight. The sling has oddly been stapled which remains hidden under the stock straps. Part of me thinks some kind of arsenal refinish but then perhaps it was Bubba doing a fastidious job on the rifle. Also, the rifles serial is within 100 of a 1940 dated one that I saw posted by a member here back in 2017 that is also all matching without import stamps, albeit with a slightly different finish. Perhaps just coincidence though. Any thoughts, comments, or input is much appreciated.
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Attachments
I believe the estucheons may have been attached with cut nails. That could prove interesting in itself. Stock sure was stripped and refinished but the handguard would make it a type 1 I believe. Too much of the old finish left in the finger grooves. It will be interesting to hear from the guys who really know what they are talking about and not my musings..
I've had a few of the blonde stock m44s as well. This one seems a bit different though and I cannot figure out the nailed sling escutcheons. Whether arsenal or Bubba, why in the world would the screws not have been reused.
I echo the previous comments about the refinished stock and bubba screws. As for origin, is there an SA marking on the left side of the barrel near the edge of the receiver? This likely came from Finland, or it was a bring back.
There are no traces of the SA mark. I can definitely agree that it was worked over. Do the serials look original matching to you as well?
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