[BWilhelm]

This 1944 Izhevsk came from a friend of mine. He bought it from Century back in 1991 (it's import marked small and underneath the front of the barrel) or so for something like $450 and stuck it in the safe. I have always believed it to be original and I know that some original PU's did come in back then. I'm far from an expert on these things so th pictures I took may be irrelevant or worthless. Let me know what you need guys to see and I'll provide it. I didn't take pictures of the entire rifle but all numbers match. The only Tula marked part I see is one of the bands. Serial is TK1456 and the barrel shank is scrubbed but you can still make out part of the original scope number. I think the number on the right side of the receiver was added by the importer but I don't know. As I said my knowledge of these is limited so please tell me what you think. Some of the pictures look a little gloopy. That's because there is still cosmoline on some bits. Again, let me know exactly what to take pictures of and I'll provide them.

Lots of little stamps on the mount. I didn't photograph all of them but i can if anyone needs it.

I'm not sure how well it shows up in this picture but a little "x" inside a circle is stamped on it several times in various places

Plese let me know what you all think.

 

[pgaplayerless]

everything looks legit

 

[sasquatch440]

+1. Original scope numbers on barrel shank were scrubbed, which is typical of the early century imports. Also has some very cool stock repairs

 

[Vic]

Looks good to me. I'll take it for 450.00

 

[BWilhelm]

Thanks alot for the help guys! We did some horse trading and I ended up with this. The barrel is shiny bright and it should be a good shooter. What's an approxomate value if you all don't mind venturing a guess. I'd like to know whether or not we both made out OK on the trade.

 

[PAshutr3]

Nice looking PU sniper; I have a couple of the early CAI imported PU snipers in my collection. I would guess value would be somewhere between $750 and $900. Some folks will pay a small premium for the smaller import marks. The importer added the serial number to the side of the receiver.

 

[carol tenge]

If I had it, I would be out tomorrow pumping some silver ball through it, sighting it in. Let us know how it shoots comrade.

 

[Richard in NY*]

everything looks legit

I agree with everyone else that it looks like a legit sniper, as you surmised one of the earl Century imports. However, I am concerned about the wood. The photos barely touch upon the wood, but it looks like the shellac was stripped off. If so, in my opinion, what was an easy $900 eminently collectable sniper is now a permanently compromised piece. Personally I would have no place for it in my collection, but I would gladly pay $500 for it as a guilt-free "shooter" far better than any of the reproduction and fake snipers on the market.

 

[TulaPU]

Good score.

 

[BWilhelm]

The shellac is on there it just didn't show up very well in the pictures. The birch on this one is extremely light but if you see it in person, the shellac layer is very apparent. It's exactly as it was when my friend received it from century twenty years ago. He's as fanatical about preserving originality as I am.

 

[BWilhelm]

So am I reading the scope markings properly as made in 1943 but rebuilt in 1968?

 

[Vic]

Yes repaired or refurbished in 1968. Probably a new lens.
Value-800.00 to 1000.00

 

[mike radford]

Looks good. The mount is WW2 Izhevsk as well.

The only thing I am curious about is the bolt. Does it have the prefix and serial number on it, as many do, or just the number. I agree with the ballpark values given, $900 give or take a little.

We look forward to a range report. Check you action screws before, and periodically. Enjoy. You may be hooked.

 

[BWilhelm]

Mike, Just the number upside down on the bolt. How can you tell that the mount is Izhevsk?

Vic, I figured the lens' were replaced because they're coated. The rear one has an amber hue when looked at in the proper light.

I appreciate you guys being so helpful. I shot 40 rounds through it today of Russian (I think) silver tip. I think it was shooting pretty well but there was too much going on to really get accurate with it. We had a Yugo M90 in .308, an RPD, a DP28, FAL and the Mosin. Then a Serbian guy showed up with a lever action Winchester. We thought that was kind of funny. A Serb with his Capitalist rifle and us Americans with all of our commie stuff! There were also some competition guys there playing around with their sleds. It's a small rustic range; not really designed for more than one or two people but capable of benching six. There was so much going on....I'm sure it's going to be a good shooter once I get some quiet time alone and figure out just what ammunition it likes.

 

[mrtank]

The rifle shares the prefix block with 7 other rifles. From the looks of the base it probably still has Cosmoline under it.

 

[mike radford]

BWilhelm, Typically Izhevsk WW2 mount will have milling marks in the rear that would make a very large circle like yours has. Tulas would make a smaller tighter circle. Looks like an Izhevsk to me. Apparently bolts that lack a prefix were replaced at refurb. Now you need a Tula.

Yea, try several types of Milsurp. If you ammo was Russian it will probably have a 60 or 188 on the case head. I like the 1980 bxn light ball and 7N1. I have also had pretty good luck with the Chinese code 66/71, some of the Russian LB and Hungarian HB. Results do vary though. The Extra match ammo is outstanding. S&B 174 grain match is not quite as good.

Also, your gun fits into the block in 1944 featured in the sticky by Antti at the top of this page, which further verifies it.

 

[BWilhelm]

Excellent!! I can't thank you guys enough!

 

[trainsktg]

I paid $900 in 2009 for my St. Albans Century PU.

Keith

 

[DOUBLE 00]

Looks great !!!! just a heads up for anyone interested, I just picked one up as well from Wideners, pretty much the same, everyone I looked at was incredible,

 

[Joop]

Looks great !!!! just a heads up for anyone interested, I just picked one up as well from Wideners, pretty much the same, everyone I looked at was incredible,

Widener's has original PU snipers? I don't see them listed on their site and I'm a bit skeptical.

John