Polish M-44

[BurkeM]

Classic Q: What would one estimate the correct value range would be/should be on a 1952 Polish M-44?

Bolt and receiver SN don't match, trigger housing and receiver do. Missing cleaning rod. Minor wear and tear on stock and wood. Side folding bayonet is intact. Bolt and action smooth, seems to function as designed.

Bore is dirty, but rifling looks good, no pitting or rust. Exterior metal is dark/suitable patina for a 60+ yr old rifle. Barrel bands a bit loose.

Local pawn shop is asking $250. So: a decent deal, or junk?

 

[tallen702]

$250 a little high for non-matching, but not by much. Are you sure the stock is Polish? A lot of these got put into stocks from others satellite countries at one time or another.

 

[BurkeM]

Stock?

No visible markings on the stock.

No provenance on the piece at all. It may have been a truck gun in the Deep South, or a wall hanger, but from what I know, the Poles didn't use them much other than as reserve trainers.

 

[Melnic]

There a circle 11 on the top where the arsenal Mark is?

 

[BurkeM]

Receiver is Oval 11.

Receiver is Oval 11.

This might be a cleaner view.

 

[lee2]

That front barrel band looks loose or is it just the lighting,?

 

[BurkeM]

Loose band

It's most assuredly loose.

Recommendations? Buy or pass?

 

[lee2]

Pass unless you can swing a deal around $150

 

[zoostation]

I think it's a good price and will only go up in value. I would suggest going to an area gun store and trying to find a more common Russian for less than $250. I myself haven't seen one at a store for under that in a long time. Polish guns are not nearly as common as Russians and are bound to become more collectible. In five years Poles for sale will be very scarce and it will be worth almost twice that $250, I predict. The band can be fixed and cleaning rods are generic and $15. Most of the people here can remember when straight 91/30's were selling for $69 retail, and probably some more can remember when they were more like $50.

 

[ST19AG_WGreymon]

Get him down to $200. They're getting harder to find. :/

 

[BurkeM]

Thanks, all, for the advice.

We'll see if he's open to any further negotiations. It's been on the rack for half a year or more, small pawn shop down South.