Moisin-Nagant M44

Stoic · June 21, 1999, 06:03 PM

I just bought a mint condition Russian Moisin-Nagant M44 from a friend who had two. It has about 98% of its bluing. It has a shiny bore with good rifling. There is some minor pitting about 5mm on the trigger guard and the top of the buttstock plate from storage. The top handguard is banded with shiny brass bands on both ends. However, the top handguard has the beginings of a two inch hairline crack.

It was manufactured in 1945, serial number C4381, matching on receiver, bolt, and trigger guard. The manufacturer stamp is a triangle with an arrow inside. It is also stamped with the Hammer and Sickle surrounded by an oak cluster. Bayonet and cleaning rod are present.

I paid $120 for this rifle. What is its general value? Is it collectable? Should I shoot it? Should I try to fix the crack in the top handguard before shooting it? How can this crack be reasonably fixed? Epoxy? Wood putty? Thanks for any replies.

Harley Nolden · June 22, 1999, 05:20 AM

Stotic:
It sounds like this piece has really been taken care of. To determine if it is a collectable or not, is up to the one who owns it and who else wants it. There are a lot of the Nagants in circulation, probably not in the condition yours is, if one wants to collect or knows someone who collects them, they are collectable.

According to my records, 1999 Standards of Firearms, 9th edition, by Ned Schwing, the value of your 1944 Mosin is $175.00. You can add 15% to that figure if there are no import stamps on it.

If you will provide an email address I can send you the assem/disassem slides and instructions. I don't know how to send the slides to the forum.
HJN

[This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited June 22, 1999).]

Stoic · June 22, 1999, 03:12 PM

Harley, thank you for your help.

June 21, 1999, 06:03 PM	#1
Stoic Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 1999 Location: Mid-South Posts: 329	I just bought a mint condition Russian Moisin-Nagant M44 from a friend who had two. It has about 98% of its bluing. It has a shiny bore with good rifling. There is some minor pitting about 5mm on the trigger guard and the top of the buttstock plate from storage. The top handguard is banded with shiny brass bands on both ends. However, the top handguard has the beginings of a two inch hairline crack. It was manufactured in 1945, serial number C4381, matching on receiver, bolt, and trigger guard. The manufacturer stamp is a triangle with an arrow inside. It is also stamped with the Hammer and Sickle surrounded by an oak cluster. Bayonet and cleaning rod are present. I paid $120 for this rifle. What is its general value? Is it collectable? Should I shoot it? Should I try to fix the crack in the top handguard before shooting it? How can this crack be reasonably fixed? Epoxy? Wood putty? Thanks for any replies.

June 22, 1999, 05:20 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Stotic: It sounds like this piece has really been taken care of. To determine if it is a collectable or not, is up to the one who owns it and who else wants it. There are a lot of the Nagants in circulation, probably not in the condition yours is, if one wants to collect or knows someone who collects them, they are collectable. According to my records, 1999 Standards of Firearms, 9th edition, by Ned Schwing, the value of your 1944 Mosin is $175.00. You can add 15% to that figure if there are no import stamps on it. If you will provide an email address I can send you the assem/disassem slides and instructions. I don't know how to send the slides to the forum. HJN [This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited June 22, 1999).]

June 22, 1999, 03:12 PM	#3
Stoic Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 1999 Location: Mid-South Posts: 329	Harley, thank you for your help.