Mendozaco
Active Member
I know I got lucky this time. It was unexpected and it doesn't happen often. H2u and Alphabrew, I'm impressed with your Bionic eyes.
Here are new pics.
Here are new pics.
Only the Molot Tula snipers have a scope number on the barrel shank, and all evidence suggests that they did this stamping themselves. As for the brass endcaps on the handguard, prettier but not all that unusual, doesn't seem to add value as far as I can tell. Could very well be an ex-sniper, marks are in the right place and 1943 was the most popular year.
Here is the M44 from the same shipment. Thanks to all for the great info.
From the factory, only Izhevsk snipers had the scope number applied to left side of barrel. Tula snipers were marked, "CH" or "CN" from the factory.
Upon entering refurb, some arsenals applied scope numbers to Tula snipers.
But a Tula sniper going through refurb and having a scope/mount removed (turned into an ex-sniper), would not have a need for a scope number.
A 1948 M44!!!! Holy shit you scored well!!! That's a $300 M44 all day long.
And that's the original bolt font and serial number.
Not a regrind of the bolt and a new number stamped either. Un-like most 91/30s.
Very, very nice. Do not Bubba that in any way. What you have is the last year of production for an M44. They are the best of the best in terms of quality and machining.