[fmc3]

I recently came across this Mosin at a local pawn shop. It’s a 1921 Tula with hex receiver, and it’s numbers-matching. Overall, the stock was in pretty good condition. The only possible issue with it was that the upper hand guard was a bit loose or “flexy.” I couldn’t examine the bore well, unfortunately. Bolt was solid once locked in and glided open pretty easily. They were asking $589 for it. Looking for something to shoot occasionally. I’m relatively new to military surplus rifle collecting and figured I’d gather some opinions. Buy or pass?

 

[willyj73]

Stock looks like a NOS (new old stock) Finnish stock. So, I would imagine the stock is nice and solid. Early 1920 era Mosins aren't very common due to the unrest in RSFSR (precursor to the USSR).
In today's market, I think the price is good. 41 stamp on the barrel could add to desirability to a Finn collector.

 

[racerguy00]

The 41 signifies an early Continuation War capture by the Finns, not seen often on m91s. For the fairly uncommon year, if it's complete and in the correct m91 stock etc I'd grab it quick if I saw it.

Pics of the whole rifle would help but I'm going off what I can see and what you said.

 

[vintovka]

Just came from a local show and that price would be a steal considering todays "inflato-bucks" By comparison a beat chinese MN carbine was priced at near 7 bills and a just ok M39 near 1K.

 

[13centkiller]

Offer them 5, ya gotta haggle! Nice and rare as others have stated…..I would go fo it depending on bore and wood condition.

 

[SSG_Lord]

Between it being a low production year and having the Finnish 41 Continuation War capture stamp, which is rare on a M91, I would have left with it at that price. Go back ASAP and hope it's still there! Since you're new to milsurp collecting you should be aware that the first rule is to never hesitate, when you do and its gone later it will haunt you (ask me how I know)

 

[milprileb]

Well, didn't he say he wanted to shoot it ? Yes he did so that bore condition is an important consideration. OP, these guys are right, the rifle has a lot going for it at that price for "collector" criteria but if bore sucks, its a wall hanger to you.

 

[FGD135]

Always buy something like this!

 

[brcampbe]

Being a pawn shop they’ll probably knock 15-20% off of that if you just ask. It’s a tough one to find

 

[clayshooter2]

The PM stamp in combination with the 41 stamp is also a plus to Finish Mosin Collectors who are into captured rifles. The PM stamp seems to only show up on Finnish captured rifles.

 

[bdgfate]

Buy it

 

[Big Coulee]

If you are not looking for a 1 or 2 minute of angle rifle, the old beast will most likely shoot to your occasional banging away satisfaction "at rocks on a distant hill side" so to speak even if the bore is somewhat dark. So if the bore isn't pristine don't turn it down if you can pick it up for $5 hundred.

 

[Slimshaddy]

If the bore looks like a rusted sewer pipe, don't despair!
I've seen more than one that had the bore swabbed with some form of preservative grease that over the decades turns crispy and crunchy.
A bitch to clean out but underneath the bores have shined like a new dime.
The key is a sort of reddish tint to the crud and if you can poke something in the muzzle see if any of the gunk come out.
Rare, I admit but worth the look.
Also, the seller will always discount for a "rusted" bore.

 

[fmc3]

Thank you, everyone, for your insights! I greatly appreciate them! To close out this story: I put a deposit down on the rifle and will be picking it up this weekend. If it clears another close examination, I’ll take it home. If memory serves me correctly, the front sight was a simple barleycorn, rather than the more common (?) hooded/covered front sight of most Mosins I see for sale today. If this is true, does it tells us anything new about this rifle?

 

[SSG_Lord]

Thank you, everyone, for your insights! I greatly appreciate them! To close out this story: I put a deposit down on the rifle and will be picking it up this weekend. If it clears another close examination, I’ll take it home. If memory serves me correctly, the front sight was a simple barleycorn, rather than the more common (?) hooded/covered front sight of most Mosins I see for sale today. If this is true, does it tells us anything new about this rifle?

Glad to hear you jumped on it! Yes, the correct front sight for that rifle is a "barleycorn" style blade front sight. The hooded style globe front sight seen on later Mosin's wasn't introduced until 1934-35 or so when the Soviet's replaced the 91/30's original blade front sight with the globe and post style found on most later versions of Mosin's.

 

[Watson99]

You did very well for the money. 1921 dated 3-line rifles with the Konovalov sight are not easy to find. Think about it: when this rifle was made Russia was still caught in a nastiest Civil War with no definite outcome yet...

 

[fmc3]

Picked the rifle up today.

 

[willyj73]

The PM stamp in combination with the 41 stamp is also a plus to Finish Mosin Collectors who are into captured rifles. The PM stamp seems to only show up on Finnish captured rifles.

The PM marking is a repair marking.