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LOT 3458
Pre-World War II Soviet Tula Arsenal Model
91/30 Mosin-Nagant Bolt Action Sniper Rifle
with Desirable PE Top Mount Scope - Serial no. 137078, 7.62x54 R cal., 29
inch round bbl., blue finish, birch stock. This is a very desirable example of a pre-war
Soviet Mosin Nagant 91/30 sniper rifle fitted with a top mounted 4x PE sniper scope. Most of these
snipers were decommissioned and converted into standard service rifles at the
end of World War II, with this solid representative example professionally restored
back to its original sniper configuration. During World War II, the Red Army
fielded more active snipers than any other country in the war and probably
most countries combined. During the battle of Stalingrad between July 17, 1942-February 2, 1943, they proved to be devastating to the German Army, racking up hundreds of confirmed kills during
a 6 month period. This rifle is marked on top of the breech of the barrel with Cyrillic “SP” (looks like “CN”) sniper grade marking above the Tula star marking above “1936” date, with a period scope base
secured to the top of the rounded receiver ring with three screws on both the right and left sides, with a Tula star marking on the rear face of the scope base and randomly stamped assembly numbers
on the underside of it. The rifle is fitted with a period PE sniper scope with the adjustable rear objective, which is marked on the left with “No A5325” next to the Soviet hammer and sickle logo and “1937”
date, has the correct windage and elevation dials, with the elevation dial graduated 1-14, and the scope is fitted in a period PE top mount that has a small Tula star marking on the front right side and
serial number “8099” stamped on the left front side. The rifle has the standard front and tangent rear sights graduated 1-20. It is fitted with a replacement sniper bolt that has the bent down bolt handle
with non-matching number “2592” on the side. Fitted with a birch stock with the short finger grooves on the sides, with a matching numbered floorplate and smooth steel buttplate. Import marked right
of the barrel. Includes a spike bayonet numbered “5988” with leather scabbard, canvas web sling, canvas pouch cleaning kit with small tools, and leather scope lens caps.
CONDITION: Very good as arsenal refurbished and subsequently restored back to correct sniper configuration with reopened scope base mounting holes on top of the receiver ring (one screw on right broken), retains 90% blue
finish with some patches of minor pitting visible underneath the finish. Stock is also very good as sanded and re-oiled, with numerous scattered dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Scope is also very good, retains 50%
original blue finish on the tube with scattered mild freckling and much of the black painted finish on the front ring and focus dial, with crisp clear optics.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3457
Scarce Winter War Era Soviet Tula Arsenal Tokarev
SVT-38 Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. YK107, 7.62x54
R cal., 27 inch round bbl., blue finish, birch stock. This SVT-38 semi-automatic rifle was manufactured by Tula Arsenal in 1939.
The Tokarev rifles were manufactured throughout World War II by both the Tula and Izhevsk arsenals, although these earlier SVT-38
models are far less commonly encountered today than the SVT-40 that superseded it. Approximately 150,000 SVT-38s were reportedly
manufactured between July 1939-April 1940 as opposed to approximately 1,600,000 SVT-40s manufactured. The SVT-38 rifles were rushed
into service to see their initial combat use in the Winter War (November 30, 1939-March 13, 1940) in which the Soviet Union attempted to invade Finland. The short-lived SVT-38 was used with
limited success, with many lost on the snow covered battlefield and many others captured by Finland; in part due to its tendency to jam as well as issues with the magazine falling out during live fire,
which was corrected in the SVT-40. The top of the receiver has the Tula Arsenal star above “1939” date. Features a six slot muzzle brake, bayonet lug, standard military hooded front sight and tangent rear
sight graduated 1-15 (100-1,500 meters), birchwood stock with ventilated handguard and provision for a right side mounted cleaning rod (absent), and short perforated metal forend. The left side of the
receiver is stamped with the original Cyrillic prefix serial number (transliterated: UK107). Mixed non-matching serial numbers are visible on the replacement bolt carrier and bolt assembly, replacement
trigger housing, and the replacement magazine with “SA” Finnish Army capture marking on its bottom.
CONDITION: Very good as arsenal refurbished, retains 60% blue finish with brown and gray patina on the balance, and some scattered areas of light pitting along with corrosion on the buttplate indicative of period use in snow.
Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled, slightly undersized around the buttplate, with general mild wear, a small stress crack visible on top of the wrist directly behind the receiver, and some scattered nicks, scratches and dents.
Absent cleaning rod. Absent safety lever, otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3456
Extremely Rare and Unique Soviet Tula Arsenal Model 1891 Mosin-
Nagant Kholodovskii Prototype Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 211720,
7.62x54 R cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, birch stock. This is an extremely rare example of a Kholodovskii prototype Mosin-Nagant rifle as
Tula factory modified c. 1912-1913, designed as an improvement upon the Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifle, and used in field trials. The rifle is dated “95” on the bottom
concealed tail of the receiver and “1894” on top of the chamber area of the barrel along with the Tula Arsenal manufacturer markings and original serial number
concealed by the handguard, due to starting life as an M1891 that was subsequently factory reconfigured at Tula Arsenal as a prototype.
One online source reports there was originally an order for 200 of these Kholodovskii prototypes in March of 1912, consisting of
150 rifles and 50 carbines, and that same order was revised to 288 rifles only in May of 1912. These 288 completed Kholodovskii
prototype rifles were reportedly delivered on July 31, 1913 with some slight revisions, after much infighting. Number “322”
is marked on the bottom of the barrel and receiver on this example, possibly its assembly number. After limited testing, the
outbreak of World War I halted further development of these Kholodovskii prototype rifles, where attention was diverted towards
production of standard M1891 rifles for the war effort. After the Boxer Rebellion (November 2, 1899-September 7, 1901) and
Russo-Japanese War (February 8, 1904-September 5, 1905), the research and development branch of Russia’s Main Artillery Administration (GAU) solicited input from troops on the performance of the M1891 Mosin-Nagant rifle,
with intent to improve the rifles shortcomings. Some of the major issues identified for refinement were its awkward handling, excessive weight, inefficient charging of the magazine, sights, inconsistent trigger release, weakness of
the bayonet, uncomfortable setting of the safety/cocking knob, and ergonomics of cycling the bolt. Tula Arsenal worked with inventor and Head of Artillery of the Odessa Military District, Lieutenant General Nikolai Kholodovskii,
in the development of a prototype rifle as a means of modernizing the M1891. This Kholodovskii prototype Mosin-Nagant rifle features a 30 inch barrel that was shortened slightly from the standard Infantry rifles, with twelve
flutes machined along the front half to provide for a lighter weight and faster cooling, breech facing and throat reaming for the cartridge moved forward in the receiver and barrel housing, the stock has tuned pillar bedding, the
receiver is inletted to allow thumb clearance for stripper clip loading, the trigger is advanced to a two-stage application, similar to that found in quality hunting and target rifles, the bolt has longer handle and a longer bolt head
to accommodate the repositioned breech face, the cocking knob is changed to allow more efficient safety application, the magazine follower arm is altered, the sighting system improved battlefield zero setting for moving target
acquisition and aiming in low light conditions, with a bead blade front sight and updated graduations on the rear sight for use with the spitzer bullet, the stock was lightened overall with a bracket added on bottom ahead of the
trigger housing for belt attachment, pillars introduced to bed the action, the buttstock drop angle is lowered by 3 degrees, and utilizes stacked discs under the buttplate for adjusting to a soldier’s reach. Duralumin (known today as
aircraft quality aluminum) was introduced for some of the small parts and stock fittings, and for a hinged-clamped bayonet (not included), with the goal of weight reduction.
CONDITION: Very good as Tula Arsenal factory reconfigured, retains 70% blue finish with some areas thinning to smooth brown patina, and a few scattered patches of light pitting visible underneath the finish. Stock is also very
good as factory modified, sanded and re-oiled, with some scattered light scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. An extremely rare Mosin-Nagant prototype!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500