I agree that they must know where they're from. It would be nice to know where they came from. After almost 5 hours of cleaning (I've only finished the bolt, magazine and almost the stock) I've found some characters carved in to the stock under the barrel. Not sure what language they are, will post a photo in a bit. Have also noticed there's no refurb mark anywhere on the stock.
m44 russian $195 at collector source
- Thread starter themouser
- Start date
- Location
- Vancouver Island
After cleaning, my bore is shiny and the rifling looks sharp. I found a little bit of rust where the magazine/trigger guard meets the stock and a couple of gouges in the metal near the rear of the action, but I have to say, for the price it's a steal. I'm very happy with my rifle!
Mine has just arrived....initial impression is good...I asked for a 1945 dated rifle and that is what I have..All matching except for the bolt which is a few numbers off...the bluing is worn, the bore is clean and shiny. .the wood shows typical use, but is solid with no repair work..A bit of cosmoline on her, should clean up nicely...I am happy!
I got in on this deal as well, here is mine, with refinished stock, when it arrived it was just like the other posted, completely dunked in cosmo. Bore is perfect, and the metal and bluing is excellent. numbers matched except the bolt. If anyone happens to find bolt # Cyrillic TN106, I would be very happy to trade +cash for that bolt.
The only downside to this awesome deal from collectors source is a devaluation of the existing supply of rifles. About 3 weeks ago before I noticed this thread I traded about $350 in rifles for a mixed numbers M44, now due to the collectors source deal my previous m44 has probably decreased in value, and if I put it up on the EE, people will assume that its a collectors source rifle and Im looking to make a quick buck...
The only downside to this awesome deal from collectors source is a devaluation of the existing supply of rifles. About 3 weeks ago before I noticed this thread I traded about $350 in rifles for a mixed numbers M44, now due to the collectors source deal my previous m44 has probably decreased in value, and if I put it up on the EE, people will assume that its a collectors source rifle and Im looking to make a quick buck...
Sadly I am still waiting for the two i ordered. It seems like forever to get them. I ordered over the phone so no tracking number unfortunately. Didn't know they don't bother keeping the info. Other businesses I have dealt with do. Just sucks because they could be missing and lost or stolen and you can't do sweet diddly...
Thank you very much, I used tung oil, about 3 coats. The stock had some severe gouges and so I lightly sanded the entire stock after I sweated the cosmo out, I was trying to preserve the character in the stock but not the "storage" damage. I knew shellac was the correct finish for this rifle but thought I would try the tung oil. I ordered a "new" stock from marstar in case this didn't turn out and I want to put it back in shellac.
Why do you say that? 2nd time someone mentioned Albania associated with these rifles (Albanian name carved into one). If so, these may have come from this general area (just a guess):
johnny the boy
CGN Regular
- Location
- Parts Unknown
Got the M-44 cleaned up and there was more cosmo than I thought. A bit of rust under the stock and the stock has x2 cracks. One at the butt end and the other on the right side handguard. Not bad I guess for the money. Hunting for a replacement stock now. Meh!
Why do you say that? 2nd time someone mentioned Albania associated with these rifles (Albanian name carved into one). If so, these may have come from this general area (just a guess):
Now that's interesting...seems like these rifles really do have some bloody history to them. I find that more fascinating than my pristine laminated M44 I got from Tradex a few years back.
If this is in fact the origin, I would agree with you. Maybe we should leave it at that, as an "Off Topic-style" fight may ensue. I agree with another poster who said, "I'm certain CS knows the origin of the rifles".
Just clean it up and go shoot at the range with it. I still think this was a great deal for this model of rifle, which is not that readily available to us. I am pissed that I missed the M38 deal from TradeEx... hope they get some more.
I do.
I left all the dents as well. I could have steamed a bunch of them out, but I thought the character of the stock would have been lost.
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Another one here.
Bolt with a 21 in a triangle here as well,
Here's what I believe is lettering (or numbers) scratched in to the stock, it would be under the barrel between the two clips,
I noticed today as well since the stock has cleaned up a bit more than there appears to be more lettering scratched in to other parts of the stock that would be covered by the barrel / receiver. They're not clear enough to make out / take photos of yet though.
Also the end of the stock, under the butt plate is extremely dry, can someone suggest an oil to apply that wont change the colour? Thx.
Here's what I believe is lettering (or numbers) scratched in to the stock, it would be under the barrel between the two clips,
I noticed today as well since the stock has cleaned up a bit more than there appears to be more lettering scratched in to other parts of the stock that would be covered by the barrel / receiver. They're not clear enough to make out / take photos of yet though.
Also the end of the stock, under the butt plate is extremely dry, can someone suggest an oil to apply that wont change the colour? Thx.
