[mchome25]

First off, I apologize if there is already a thread dealing with Russian WWII firearms newbie questions...I looked but couldn't find one...if there is then feel free to send me a link!

I'm a typical Mauser K98 collector but I'm interested in starting to branch out into other firearms and the Russian WWII front look interesting. I've got a few basic questions based on the few firearms that I've taken a look at:

1. It's seems like the overwhelming majority of Russian WWIIs that I've seen have been refurbished...I'm assuming this is a post war refurbish done by Ivan...how negatively does this affect value? Are non-refurbisheds readily available and how to they compare price wise to the refurbs?

2. How about import marked vs non-marked?

3. What are the main drivers and detractors of values on Russian war time (WWII) firearms?

Basically I'm looking at Russian war time firearms mainly for my love of history and value as a piece of history (at the same time buying something that's going to at least hold it's value)...I'm wondering exactly I should be looking for and around the price it should be in the world of Russian WWI firearms. Any advice is welcome....if this were a Mauser I'd know exactly what I'd be talking about but the Nagant is a different world completely!

Thanks in advance

 

[Hasso]

Well, first off, a certain member will probobly pop on to call you out on your terminology any second now. Typically, they're refered to as Mosins, Mosin-Nagant, but never just "Nagant".

But, to respond to your questions:

1) Yes; the majority of rifles on the market with major vendors will all have been rebuilt by the Soviets post war. This does detract from value to some extent, however, given that the overwhelming majority are refurbished, this is usually expressed as a premium for non-refurbished rifles as opposed to reductions for your garden variety pieces. Non-refurbished rifles are available almost exclusively on the secondary market, and compare at a substantial increase in value; this is usually compounded by them being FInnish owned rifles, being an older model that was exported before the refurbs (ex, Balkan M91), or having some other interesting history in avoiding refurbishment.

2) Non-Import is typically more valuable.

3) Detractors are about what you'd expect - refurbishment, non-matching parts, sheer commonness (1942-1944 Izhevsk made rifles), etc. Factors which increase value revolve around dates, models, ownership markings (Particularly Finnish, it seems) and factory modifications; (ex, an M91 receiver converted to an M39 by one of the Finnish Arsenals)

A really good baseline reference is http://mosinnagant.net/USSR/default.asp and http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/Mosinprimer.htm

This is all very general, but hopefully, this gives you a point in the right direction - I am certain that someone else will chime in with more detailed advice.

 

[ij70]

Well, first off, a certain member will probobly pop on to call you out on your terminology any second now. Typically, they're refered to as Mosins, Mosin-Nagant, but never just "Nagant".

I am beginning to like: Russian Mauser.

 

[Hasso]

IJ, find me a set of Russian made Mausers at the standard price of MNs, and I will cheerfully cease making jokes about terminology.

 

[ij70]

IJ, find me a set of Russian made Mausers at the standard price of MNs, and I will cheerfully cease making jokes about terminology.

Have you looked at Russian Los-7 or TOZ-122? Though the price is a little higher.

 

[mchome25]

Thanks Hasso...that's just what I was looking for...a quick primer and a few links to get me started in the right direction. Thanks again.

 

[Hasso]

No, I've looked at my wallet and decided not to...but we're derailing this poor man's first thread ...

 

[clayshooter2]

Spanish Civil War rifles are another group of rifles that have avoided the refurb process. They, much like the Balkan rifle, tend to be a mix match of numbers. They also tend to be a little more beat up than a lot of Finn and Soviet rifles.