[Flyin Brian]

I am pretty good with prices on Finns and Russians but when it comes to the Eastern Bloc M-44s I am lost and need some help!!

Today I stopped in to a new gun shop that I haven't been to before and spotted an M-44 on the rack. When I got a closer look I realized it is a Polish M-44 that is
absolutely the nicest M-44 I have ever seen. This thing looks brand new and is flawless. The stock is in excellent shape, the bore looks unfired, it was all matching and
really would be impossible to improve on this one. The price was $450. I told the guy I would gladly buy this rifle for $300 but it was a consignment and the store owner said
he honestly feels like this rifle is nice enough to ask that price... I did not buy it.

Now that I am home, I am still thinking $450 is too much, but how hard is it to find an all matching, absolutely flawless Polish M-44? BTW, it was a 1955.

 

[vz58kid]

$300. is about Tops and a little high for 1 of these, they have Zero History!

 

[caerlonie]

I think to say no history,is a little harsh.They were likely made for second line forces,to use in the event of a war/conflict with Nato forces...which fortunately never happened.So that alone makes them a interesting cold-war collectible.I wonder how many of the Russian WWII refurbs actually saw combat?.A lot of them probably but how would a collector know about a individual rifle?Well you would'nt.The Poles are fantastic rifles quality wise,and while $450 may be pricey by US standards,its well worth getting one.

 

[Konstanty]

No history? Not likely. I have two 1948 Soviet M44s, neither of which likely saw combat, either. Great guns, all the same.

I paid $250 for my unissued 1952 Polish M44, but that was a few years ago. Since then, I've seen them go up to $400 at gun shows. It's a beautiful rifle, and though I was a bit short on cash when I bought it, I've never regretted it.

 

[Pahtu]

They are very well made, I sold off most of my M44s a few years ago, but kept four M44s, one of which is a 1954 Polish M44 - It is a really neat carbine - I paid $135.00 years ago for it and at the time thought I paid way too much....

Pahtu.

 

[jepari]

Not going to get too much into the "no history debate". Of course the Polish m44's have history ! Maybe not as interesting as a captured bringback whatever, but still it has it's significant part in firearms history

But to the original question. $450 is on the high side by a bit - I'd have to have too much $ on my hands, bored, and e few beers too many inside to be "happy" paying $450 for at Polish m44 (at least at the current time)
I think an "non upgradeable" one for less than $350 is acceptable and below $300 is a good deal. See how much you can talk him down

The Polish m44's are IMHO by far the nicest m44's ever made (at least nicest non Soviet)

 

[mstrbtg]

I'd say $450 is at the very high end. I've seen them sell higher, very occasionally, and probably to someone who absolutely had to have one. That being said, the trend is steeply upwards recently, and I don't know where they will top out, but the average selling price is in the high $200s/low $300s for an unnissued example. For those who purchase one of these pristine examples, with the intent to shoot, you may want to reconsider. It will knock the value back down closer to "used", and the premium asking price will probably not be realized when you want to cash in.

 

[MilitaryTorch]

I would say $400 would acceptable. I think the 1955s are more rare than 1952 and 1953s. Then you start thinking if it is really nice and it is talking to you what is another $50?. On gunbroker it would most likely cost 450 plus shipping. I bought a 1953 one for $380 in amazing condition. The seller was asking $500

 

[Stalin's Ghost]

Check the bore. Strangely, many of these new condition Polish M44s seem to have a bore somewhat grungy from an apparent test firing with corrosive ammo somewhere.
I bought a "new" one with dirty bore for $200 -they seem to go up to about $350 at most auctions.
Great rifle! I then added the Polish .22 training rifle to fill ou the niche.

 

[bvd1]

I have a 1952 that is like the one OP mentioned. I would not take less than $450 for it.

 

[Konstanty]

Check the bore. Strangely, many of these new condition Polish M44s seem to have a bore somewhat grungy from an apparent test firing with corrosive ammo somewhere.
I bought a "new" one with dirty bore for $200 -they seem to go up to about $350 at most auctions.
Great rifle!

That was my experience, too. The bore on mine was completely plugged, which may be why it sat on the shelves of the gun shop for three months before I discovered it.

Getting the bore clean was a mighty job. But once I did, it was bright, shiny and sharp as new -- which it effectively is. As I've mentioned before in these parts, it's the only gun in my collection that I don't shoot.

 

[Earstyy]

I'd say the market retail is $400 on Polish M44's now. They have usually been at about double the price of a run of the mill Soviet M44.

 

[Flyin Brian]

Thanks Guys, all good advice and knowledge, like usual here on Gunboards!!

I definitely agree with the advice on not buying it as a shooter, and I shoot everything!! so that may not be the best choice for me.

I did check the bore and it is absolutely beautiful. I tried to find anything to use as a bargaining point and I just handed it back with nothing to say but "yeah that's a nice one". I even looked at the buttplate and it was just as clean and nice as the rest of the finish.

 

[bsd]

Glad I read this post. I have been selling off some rifles lately and was going to keep my unissued Polish M44 as a shooter. Well back in the safe this one goes. Still have two other M44 to shoot.

 

[themosinator]

Glad I read this post. I have been selling off some rifles lately and was going to keep my unissued Polish M44 as a shooter. Well back in the safe this one goes. Still have two other M44 to shoot.

Nah...you'd probably just be better off selling ME that unissued Polish m44...you probably don't want to clog up your safe too much with it!!... :thumbsup:

 

[LVSteve]

I guess I stole mine, then. Of all the Mosins I have, my Polish M44 have the smoothest action, even better than my Finns.

 

[point]

Up here in Canada what you paid for any MN carbine a few short years ago means nothing now. I saw an unissued Polish M44 at a gun show 2 weeks ago going for $345. I tried to talk it down a bit but no go. It sold shortly after that. $300 is the least you will pay for one up here. Any other M44s or 38 go for over $200.
I bought a very nice Hungarian all matching for $250 and was happy for it.

 

[ffuries]

I got my Russian 1947 Izhevsk M44 2 weeks ago for $225.00 all matching numbers. Guess one thing to look at is what the regional price fluctuations are.

 

[mstrbtg]

Not sure if this is scientific, but a search of completed Polish M44 auctions from GB revealed:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=269955849
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=276589127
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=265508087
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=265530353
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=268111230

a 1955:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=268113717

And mine (poorly described):
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=275998896

I'd say they can still be had for mid $200s if you're patient (and crafty). Most sell in the low to mid $300s, as Stalin's Ghost mentioned.

 

[K98a Man]

FWIW I paid 300.00 for mine about a year ago. It is all matching and near mint. Still haven't shot it yet.