somd_mustangs
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- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,755
Well, he was right about 1946 (S/N 34xxx).
That's the Argentine Army marking.
That's the Argentine Army marking.
Just Got It NOW!
- Thread starter Machodoc
- Start date
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Oldcarjunkie
R.I.P
Is it Unusual for them to not have a Import Mark? or Common on these?
somd_mustangs
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- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,755
A lot do have import marks, if you're lucky the smaller font next to mag release or on right side of frame. This one looks buffed so it may have had the import mark removed.
I do notice that many of the non-imports are in this S/N range (30-50k). Maybe a pure coincidence, or brought over in a batch, or?
When you get it check the bottom of the mag well lip, sometimes they hide there.
I do notice that many of the non-imports are in this S/N range (30-50k). Maybe a pure coincidence, or brought over in a batch, or?
When you get it check the bottom of the mag well lip, sometimes they hide there.
Oldcarjunkie
R.I.P
Machodoc
Old Guy
^^^ Yep. All of this. I've also seen small import marks on the trigger guards of two pistols, and have read that a few are marked under the grips.
That one, as SOMD 'Stangs said, has been buffed and blued (pretty heavily buffed). Not uncommon, not what you prefer or a collectible, but no matter at all for a shooter ... and they are great shooters! Love the hell out of them, but sellers on GB have decided they are gold. A couple of the prices I've seen asked for are beyond absurd. For example, this guy needs to have his crack pipe taken away.
Oldcarjunkie
R.I.P
Bummer, Oh well. Thats what i get for buying one when GB wasnt working for me an i couldn't research it very well. I still bought it under what i seen most starting at( half of what that guy wants) and if its a good shooter its still a cool old pistol.
Abulg1972
Ultimate Member
I watched this for 3 days and just couldn't stand it. $435 shipped.
somd_mustangs
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- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,755
Finns to the left... Finns to the right...
Oldcarjunkie
R.I.P
Abulg1972
Ultimate Member
14. While all these fools are buying "unissued" B barrels and "sneaks" the prices of the real values are staying low. Buy them while you can.
I'm still kicking myself for not getting 2 Fins when I got mine. I wanted a shooter which I got for $265. There were some older ones for $225 with like 20-30% bluing and little Cosmo crudded stocks that I did not have the foresight to buy.
Kick kick
Kick kick
Abulg1972
Ultimate Member
They made ~160,000 M39s. When I see an uncommon variant for cheap I am compelled to buy.
Machodoc
Old Guy
You've been finding some really nice stuff lately.
Got the SKS and couldn't be happier! HEAVY cosmoline though...going to use a heat gun on the stock after the initial wipe down to draw out the rest of thats soaked in. Can I wipe the stock with a mineral spirits soaked rag when it bleeds out? Or is that a risk with going back at it with a heat gun?
I'll post a pic or two when I get it cleaned up
I'll post a pic or two when I get it cleaned up
Machodoc
Old Guy
While you may not get enough damage to see it, it's not a good idea to melt cosmo off/out of wood with heat. Others will argue this because they did it, it worked, blah, blah, blah ... but it's not the best approach. Take it outside with a bunch of paper towels and some mineral spirits (charcoal starter is cheaper), and flush the stuff off. Repeat until you feel sure that it's clean. Let the liquid do most of the work, and let the paper towels absorb the diluted cosmo. It really doesn't take that long, and it works well.
When you are finished, burn the paper towels. Don't leave them in a pile inside the house or garage. Don't put them into a trash can unless it's all metal with an airtight lid. They can spontaneously ignite.
CasualObserver
Who Observes the Observer
Machodoc is right... everyone argues the pros and cons of different methods. Some folks say use hot water, some mineral spirits, some heat.... I've even read about oven cleaner or something. I like to use mineral spirits on the metal and only on the wood if the finish is shot and the stock is getting tung oil or blo treatment afterwards. I like to just keep wiping the wood off and sweating the cosmo out of it on a warm summer day with the sun if I'm retaining the stocks original finish. I suggest using google and cking out all of the methods, pros, and cons and make your own informed decision.
Heat gun can burn the cosmo and then burn/discolor the stock. Mistake I did on trying to decosmo a spare stock I had. Low heat can work (car in a trash bag or attic in the summer). I used an industrial oven @175 all day and it pulled it out w/o warping the wood but you gott not totally dry it out. I stopped doing that and just mineral spirits now and towel. Wipe down at range if you shoot in the summer. I don't wear nice clothes to the range 
Abulg1972
Ultimate Member
^^ truth. I've seen the unintended results and it's not pretty.
Yea, my only issue is that it's January and I don't anticipate many days I can utilize the sun. I do plan on hitting it with some BLO once I think most of the cosmoline is out, just looking for the best way to get it all. Maybe I'll try to be patient and get most out with just a mineral spirits rub down, and wait until later this year to really bake the rest out.
