Mosin M91/59

[Andy]

Got one of these a while back, but nobody seems to be discussing them. A bit of an odd duck with uncertain origins.

(not mine - just too lazy to haul it out and take and post pics)

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM9159.htm

Anyone else have one? How about the 91/38?

 

[BadgerDog]

Andy...

I'm not really a Mosin guy, but are these the ones that they manufactured (or refurbished) in 1959? I've seen a few of these and they all appear to be in outstanding condition.

Regards,
Badger

 

[Andy]

There are quite a few around, but even the "experts" seem uncertain as to where they originated, who made them, etc. All I can do is quote back "what I have heard/read". They all seem to be cutdown M91/30's done by a European arsenal. 1959 seems logical.

A mystery ripe for the solving, that unlike so many others occurred in the modern era, and could conceivably be traced back to (living) reliable sources through importers, European Gunnutz and the like. Unless/until that happens, all we will have are the same old stories embellished and changed.

 

[desporterizer]

I have only seen one for sale in the last year & I couldn't get the cash in time before it sold. Sould be a really accurate shooter.

 

[PerversPépère]

Is this a legitimate and collectable version? Was it done by a government arsenal and intended to be issued to regular troops or foreign troops on an armament sales contract?
If it was done in a private armoury, I would say those rifles are worthless in terms of collector value, a bit like the converted SVT-40 that were butchered by Globco in the '70s.
From a another standpoint, they can be great deer hunting carbines, anyway.
PP.

 

[desporterizer]

I seriously doubt anyone but a government would mill graduations off the rear sight.Or shorten a stock & keep the handguard & sling attachment the same.

 

[Hitzy]

Zefarm advertised one on VGS as a Bulgarian 91/59........

 

[Bittermansbro]

From what I understand the 91/59 designation was exclusively a Hungarian rebuilt model

 

[Dosing]

They were supposedly intended as guard weapons, thus the milling down of the sites. IIRC mine was a Hungarian as well. They were classed as Bulgarians, and I think still are on the FRT.
Its been awhile but I am sure it was the one with the returned barrel, set back 180*s.

 

[JP]

When these 91/59 first appeared years ago Century floated the story that they were out of Bulgaria, since then most collectors agree that these conversions were done in Russia. The 91/38 were done in Cezhkoslovakia except they modified 1891 instead of 91/30's.

 

[Bittermansbro]

Thanks JP, that's good to know!