1904 Izhevsk M44

Most Mosin Nagant collectors are familiar with later rifles, especially M44s, which are built on earlier receivers and other models such the M91/59 which are cut down from older rifles. However, it is unusual to find an M44 which is cut down from an earlier rifle and still retains the original barrel. This is just such a case where a 1904 Izhevsk M91, or possibly Dragoon, had the barrel cut down and was fitted out as an M44. The marks from 1904 are still present on the barrel shank, top receiver flat and the bottom of the tang. One change is the serial number which has been restamped in the post 1937 pattern with the Cyrillic prefix and four digits. The prefix, "CA", is known to have been used at Izhevsk in 1945 on M44s and is a good indication that this conversion was done at that time. Another theory could be that this is a Czech M91/38 which did not have the bayonet removed. However there are no Czech arsenal marks present on the rifle. Other features covered below support both of these theories but the stronger case seems to be that it is a product of Izhevsk in 1945.

The bolt is electropenciled to match the number on the barrel. This is common on M91/38s, but not unheard of by any means on Soviet M44s. In either case it was probably done during a rearsenal which could very well have been in Czechoslovakia. The floorplate is stamped matching including the prefix.

The buttplate is also stamped matching including the prefix with no sign of scrubbing or lined out numbers. The stock itself is somewhat unique as it no cartouches of any type and is not the typical grain pattern or finish of Soviet M44s. It's possible the stock is Czech, even if the rifle itself is Soviet.

Another uncommon feature of the stock is the presence of notches to ease the removal of the rear barrel band combined with the lack of full escutcheons in the sling slots. This is not typical of Soviet stocks. The bayonet lug/front sight base assembly is the earlier pattern with the single ear on the bayonet lug and the narrow sight base. This was used in the Soviet Union until late 1945 when it was replaced with the double ear lug which was superceded in 1946 with the double ear/wide sight base assembly. Czech M91/38 front sight bases are turned down from post 1945 pattern assemblies which further bolsters the theory of 1945 Izhevsk origin.

The opposite side of the stock showing the unusual grain pattern, finger groove/escutcheon combination, and lack of stock cartouches.

The nose cap is the squared off early pattern as found on M91s and Dragoons and it's possible that it is from the same 1904 M91 used to build this M44. The stock is not fitted to the tang notches of the early receiver as Soviet stocks typically are in cases where a late stock is used on a rifle with an early receiver. This is yet another indication that the stock may not be Soviet in origin although the rifle most likely is. Another view of the early bayonet/front sight assembly.

Although there are many unanswered questions about this M44 that makes it all the more interesting.

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