[tep0583]

And I thought I'd post it up, both because I thought many here would find it interesting and also because I'm not so sure where it's been and would like to see what you all think.

The thing is literally covered with pits. There doesn't seem to be any active rust, but I can't be sure if it was cleaned up here after being neglected or per-importation. If there were ever any import stamps, any trace of them were obliterated by the pits. Personally, I don't think there ever was an import stamp, but I cannot be absolutely sure of that.

Heck, I had to take it out of the stock to find out what year it was built for sure. (1943) The date can be barely made out on the barrel shank, but I believe it also says 1943.

The wire sling swivels were what really drew me to it. At first, I was thinking it might be an SCW, but the date of the rifle would rule that out. It also has no other remaining markings or features that would indicate it was ever Finn-owned.

What do you guys think?

On another note, I think this thing could well be serviceable. Mechanically, it seems sound and none of the pits are deep. The barrel, while not perfect by any means, has well-defined rifling and some shine to it. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that it could shoot with something that resembles accuracy. The barrel is not counter-bored and passes the bullet test well enough. With some shooting and cleaning, it might clean up a little better, too.

 

[Homer2]

That cat is breaking rule #2.

If not import marked, I'd guess undocumented bring back. Just a guess. A Korean or Vietnam bringback could be in somewhat poor condition and also be a Post WW2 rebuild piece (late or post war stock).

 

[Ken in Iowa]

The metal parts other than the barrel and receiver look much better. The fresh blue and m44 stock confirm a rebuild somewhere along the line.

Those sling loops sure are intriguing. I recall a 1942 91/30 with similar loops and condition. Perhaps it's the SCW from the Twilight Zone.

 

[Homer2]

Someone found a corroded barreled receiver and fixed it up?

 

[globug]

Interesting M38. The metal on the handguard, nosecap and most of the other small parts seems to be in much better condition than the barrel and receiver.The barrel bands look rough too. This makes me think the rifle was refurbished, but it makes no sense there would be no import mark.

It reminds me of an oddity I saw at a local shop recently. Someone had taken a 1936 SCW Tula 91/30, reblued the metal (and done it quite well) then put the action in a run of the mill post war refurb stock. No telling what people will do or why.

The lack of a counterbore and the sling hangers on your M38 deepen the mystery a bit too. Neat rifle.

 

[tep0583]

That turd refuses to follow any rule but his own. Wadda ya do? <shrug>

There's definitely no import marks at the wood line on the barrel shank or the receiver. The area near the end of the barrel is more pitted and any that were there might have been destroyed, but I think there would be some indication that they had been there. I might be wrong there, but I suspect none ever existed.

The stock appears to be a post-war M44 type. There are no markings I can find at all on it. Neither it, nor the metal, bear any describable refurb mark. I believe the stock finish is still oil type, as opposed to shellack, but I suppose it might be a better-applied shellack finish than most refurbs sport. I do not think it has been refurbed.

What do you make of the sling swivels?

 

[combat32]

The sling hangers look more like a ex balkan gun than SCW to me, it kind of has a cool look to it.

 

[tep0583]

Good observations, guys. I hadn't really thought about the condition of the other metal. Most of it is in far better condition than the barrel and receiver.

I'm almost certain it wasn't import stamped, especially if it were imported after the damage occurred. At least there isn;t one in any of the normal places.

I'll give her another once-over, just to be sure.

 

[tep0583]

The sling hangers look more like a ex balkan gun than SCW to me, it kind of has a cool look to it.

You know, I thought that, if nothing else, it would make an interesting wall-hanger. The more I play with it, the more it grows on me, though.

 

[tep0583]

Just wild speculation, but could it have been a battlefield recovery that had it's thinner metal replaced in order to return it to service?

The mag floorplate and butt plate do not match the SN of the receiver.

 

[doncb]

That is one sweet M38! I like the ones with that used and worn look. Gives them personality.

Like the cat too, but you should teach it better gun safety.

 

[Stalin's Ghost]

I think that rifle was at the bottom of a swamp in "Lord of the Rings."
I have a Finned Mosin 91/30 that looks kind of like that -great rifle!

 

[tep0583]

That is one sweet M38! I like the ones with that used and worn look. Gives them personality.

Like the cat too, but you should teach it better gun safety.

Thanks. I'm liking it a lot myself. Had a bit of "Mosin madness" at the show today and ended up with three new rifles. This was the first I was able to photograph.

He's definitely my cat, but he sure doesn't like following any rules. Dude's sitting on the arm of my chair as I post this.

His idea, not mine. He gets his way FAR too often.

 

[tep0583]

I think that rifle was at the bottom of a swamp in "Lord of the Rings."
I have a Finned Mosin 91/30 that looks kind of like that -great rifle!

Thank you , sir!

Spotted this as I was finishing a deal for a possible SCW 91/30 and chased the guy down. Spent more than I should have today, but I love each of the rifles I picked up. I guess that makes this a good day.

I never thought this ugly duckling would get so much attention. I'm starting to feel bad about negotiating as aggressively as I did to buy it. (Got it for $65).

 

[kenb]

The sling hangers remind me of rifles imported from Albania.

 

[carbine85]

If you are going to restore it you can do some sandblasting and blend in a lot of that pitting. As long as you don't remove to much material you should be GTG. It can look a lot better than it does now.

 

[tep0583]

If you are going to restore it you can do some sandblasting and blend in a lot of that pitting. As long as you don't remove to much material you should be GTG. It can look a lot better than it does now.

No work will be done to it, except to preserve it's current state. It seems that some opinion is that this occurred to the rifle prior to a rebuild.

Besides, it's current look, ugly as it is, is starting to grow on me.

 

[MikeG]

Interesting carbine. It has had a rough life and the wire hangers are puzzling.
I guess since you posted to ask about it, the cat scan was inconclusive?

 

[mstrbtg]

That's a neat M38! More character than any I've seen. Stuff like that is ripe for aggressive negotiation. Certainly more interesting than a refurb.

I'm on the Albanian/Balkan bandwagon as to the source.

 

[tep0583]

Interesting carbine. It has had a rough life and the wire hangers are puzzling.
I guess since you posted to ask about it, the cat scan was inconclusive?

Yep, completely inconclusive.

Sometimes I think he's a bit defective. He does keep the pest population down in the house, though, so he earns his keep.