Hungarian M91/30
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Hungarian M44 carbines are common in the US, but the Hungarian M91/30 is not as well
known. There are two versions, the M91/30 PU sniper and the standard M91/30.
The Hungarian M91/30 follows the same basic pattern as the Soviet M91/30 with few
differences. The barrel shank markings are "02", which is the country code
for Hungary, the date, the Hungarian crest, and the serial number. The dates are in
the early 1950s and began before M44 production in Hungary. This particular rifle
was exported from Germany to the US and has the German Federal Pressure Proofs on the left
side of the barrel shank as required by German law. One interesting feature is the
receiver style which follows the war time Izhevsk pattern with a high wall and an
unmachined right rear, although the degree of finish is much greater than is typical of
this style of Soviet receiver. For detailed information on receiver features and
variations see the Mosin Nagant Rifle Receiver Variations
page. The extra notch forward of the stripper clip guide is also missing like the Izhevsk war time receiver production. The tang is dated 1951 and has the 02 country code. The recoil lug bears the "circle B" for the Budapest arsenal. The front of the receiver has no inner barrel bearing surface which is a feature of all WWII and later Mosin Nagants. The trigger is marked "circle B" on one side and "02" on the other. It is of typical Russian design with no modifications. The bolt on this example appears to be of Soviet origin or possibly Romanian, although the serial number matches the rifle and has an alpha prefix that is unique to Hungary. The cocking knob mark is poor and could be Izhevsk or Romanian as the two are similar. The bolt head itself is cleary marked with "02" in two places and a "circle B". The extractor is "02" marked, the interrupter/ejector is "02" and "circle B" marked, and the interrupter/ejector spring is "circle B" marked. The marking of smaller parts continues with the sights which have an "02" on the rear base, rear slide and front globe. The barrel bands and front barrel band spring are likewise marked with "02". No mark is evident on the rear barrel band spring. The stock has an oil type finish and a distinctive grain to the wood. This example does not have the typical "02" and "circle B" as found on Hungarian M44s and other Hungarian M91/30s. However, it does have a "circle 7". This type of mark with different numbers is a typical Hungarian stock mark. The sling is also "02" marked. Continuing with the Hungarian practice of marking every possible part, the "02" is also found on the nose cap, cleaning rod, and floorplate, where it is joined by a "circle B".
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