[racerguy00]

Very nice piece! It amazes me that these M91’s must have been well taken care of when they were converted to M44s. They always have real crisp markings.

Not all. There are a few heavily pitted and reblued ones as well as some that look like the markings were worn or buffed off out there. But yeah, the majority are pretty nice.

 

[racerguy00]

How is it that the imperial Russian markings did not get ground off under Soviet rule??

I don't think the Soviets did that on mosins very often. On imperial dated receivers recycled into dragoon and 91/30 production for example I don't recall ever seeing a defaced crest beyond stamping over with the new arsenal crest. And Imperial date exdragoons seem to.be untouched also.