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While it is not unusual to find a mix of parts among Eastern European
M44s, they are not as often found on Soviet carbines. Even less common is to find a
Soviet M44 with Eastern European markings on the metal, with the exception of the
Yugoslavian refurbished M44s. For appraisals and detailed evaluations of this rifle by Mosin Nagant
collectors see the Hungarian Marked Izhevsk M44 page in the Mosin Nagant Appraisals section. For the purpose of the
appraisals the bore is described as slightly worn with dark grooves and the import mark is
an older Century mark at the muzzle with the original serial number duplicated on the
receiver. This 1945 Izhevsk M44 is typical but for two features, it's Hungarian
stock and a small mark found at the peak of the Izhevsk arsenal "arrow in
triangle". While not previously documented on a Mosin Nagant, this mark is very
clearly a Hungarian crest known as the Kossuth
Coat of Arms. This is entirely different than the Hungarian
communist crest that is usually found on M44s made at the Budapest arsenal. The
amazing thing about this crest on a rifle from 1945 is that it was adopted in 1849 and was
in official use for less than a year. However, it was also used as an insignia by
freedom fighters during the 1956
Hungarian Revolution. Although it seems improbable, the possibility that this
rifle was used in the uprising cannot be ruled out.
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The bolt and floorplate are stamped matching complete with the two letter prefix.
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The stock is clearly marked with the 02 Hungarian country code and the circle B for the Budapest arsenal. The buttplate is also 02 marked and has a matching serial number, albeit without the two letter prefix. This further establishes the Hungarian provenance of the rifle.
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The forward sling slot is set approximately one inch closer to the rear than on other country's M44s, which is typical for Hungarian production. The barrel bands are both Izhevsk marked.
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The following photographs of the Kossuth
Shield in use during the Hungarian Revolution are |
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| A soldier painting the Kossuth Shield on a
tank. Budapest, Hungary 10-25-1956 |
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| Kossuth Shield and leaflet Budapest, Hungary 1956 |
Poster with Kossuth Shield Budapest, Hungary 10-26-1956 Photo: Tibor Szentpétery |
Revolutionaries and a cannon with a Kossuth Shield Corvin Street, Budapest, Hungary 1956 Photo: Erich Lessing |
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| Revolutionary directing a tank with a Kossuth
Shield Budapest, Hungary 1956 Photo: Erich Lessing |
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External links to further information on the Hungarian Revolution and Hungarian weapons:
The Institute
for the History of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
Freedom Fighter 56
1956 Hungarian Revolution Portal
Hungarian Online Resources
1956
Hungarian Revolution
Manowar's Hungarian
Weapons
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