My M-38 Stock Markings

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello all!

Here is a call to you Mosin Nagant experts! I have taken extensive pictures of all the markings on my new M-38 Mosin Nagant dated 1943. Most of the symbols I managed to figure out with these two pages:

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMarks01.htm

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMarks04.htm

The rest are unknown. If you could please help me understand these marks, what are they and who made them, it would be most highly appreciated! I want to know all I can about these markings that make my rifle so special.
Experts, I call upon thee!

Here are the pictures! http://s1013.photobucket.com/albums/af259/Drachenblutt/Mosin%20Nagant%20M-38/

Good Luck!
Yours,
Drachenblut
 
I'm impressed that your stamps are so...crisp.

You look at my '43 M38s and you would think it was a contest to see who could apply the stamps using the smallest hammer or only using the corner of the stamp.

Oh and stupid question maybe, but is that an M38 stock or a transplanted M44 stock? I think roughly 1/2 of the M38s I handled over the years had M44 stocks (including the last 2 East German M38s I got from P&S) and I'm imagining that would change your search parameters a bit?


Good luck =)
 
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My stock is an original M-38 stock, it is solid wood and not a laminate, as well the shoulder strap loops are proper for an M-38.
I should note the bottom of the magazine has a single line strikeout number and a re-stamped number. There are no import markings on this rifle either. Any idea what these markings mean? I am unsure on alot of them.
 
"My stock is an original M-38 stock"

Sorry but your stock is a Post-WW2 M-44 stock, but nothing wrong with that for a Post-WW2 Arsenal rebuilt rifle. The markings on your stock are assorted inspector marks, applied when your rifle was rebuilt.
 
I don't mean to thread-hijack, but what are some defining ways to spot a war time stock, from a post war stock? I have been only able to spot one difference between two stocks (laminated stocks excluded), but not sure if that was a variant between factories as opposed to a date reference.
Drachenblut- I know very little, but I can tell you that M44 stocks have a recess on the right side for the bayonette to rest in when not extended. If your stock doesn't have that, let us all know.
 
What is this groove on the right of the pic if not a bayo recess?
ToptobottomAccuracyproofXandSquare.jpg
 
That "recess" as you say is on both sides of the rifle and stops just short of the rear "holding collar" It seems to be finger grooves for pushing the collar off.
 
I appologise.
I am an idiot. It is an M44 stock... however is it Postwar?
Does this badly devalue my rifle? I feel bloody jipped. "Collector grade" my ass.
 
- It is an M44 stock... however is it Postwar?

Yes, pressed steel sling escutcheons are Post-War.


- Does this badly devalue my rifle?

No, perfectly normal on a Post WW2 rebuilt rifle.
 
Well, all the same. She shoots like a dream, and that little bit of wood missing for the bayonet recess makes her that much lighter. If it's historically correct, I am not too unhappy. How common are non-rebuilt M-38's with thier original stocks?
 
Firstly, I'm sorry, I misread your post. The correct answer is UN-common. Wow. I am officially banning myself from early morning posting.

They're out there I'm sure. Probably in a collector's rack beside the Cossack and Dragoon rifles.

Don't be down hearted.

What you have is a fairly typical rebuilt M38. These are an interesting example of military expedience and the "next step" to the M44 - the 91/30 was too long and the bayonet unnecessary for REMF types so - M38. What you need to keep in mind is that this rifle was wartime production only '39-'45. By the time they were run through the refurbishment lines production had ceased and there were no more *new* M38 stocks to be had. M44 stocks were available as current production and fit perfectly fine so...

1939, 1945, Tula mfg'd of any year and M38's built on recycled 91/30 receivers and any non-refurb are apparently the rifles to look for.
 
Deltasilver said:
I'm impressed that your stamps are so...crisp.

You look at my '43 M38s and you would think it was a contest to see who could apply the stamps using the smallest hammer or only using the corner of the stamp
Click to expand...

Well to be fair the factory was probably being bombed at the time and had a pretty bad heating system. :D

Mine is the same, brutal workmanship.
Good tough rifle though. :)
 
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