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Sniper
Rifle Exporters and Importers
The rarest of the imported snipers are the
ones that have never been refurbished and are as they were during WWII.
These are rare and expensive.
Listed below in order that they were imported into the USA.In order
that they were imported into the USA.
Century:
SAMCO Scopless Snipers:
RGUNS:
Molot:
Tulsky:
Fakes:
Information on these sniper rifles are always changing. If you have
information you want included, please email us at
admins@russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com
We will consider all information and photos submitted. At this time we
are looking for importer and sellers of the Molots and Tulsky snipers.
Trying to keep a "complete" lists of each.
Early"
Century Imports:
Imported by: Century Imports only (http://www.centuryarms.com/Century/pages/import.htm)
Sold by: Century Imports only
Exported out of the Ukraine.
Century Import PU rifles will have a import serial number starting with
"9130S".
In the early days of Mosin import, there
was an importer called Century (still in business today). They imported
a "lot" of PU sniper parts and sniper rifles without scopes. They put
them together in the USA and sold them as PU sniper rifles. They were
still in sniper configuration, so people accepted them.
Caution: They also put together "fakes"
from standard M91/30's and reproduction parts and sold them alongside
the "real" ones. So it take a keen eye to figure out which one you have
if it is a Century import sniper.
Photo Section:
Century Import sniper rifle. Typical and is same as RGUNS, and Tulsky
markings on side of barrel for scope number. No numbers on Tula's.
Some rifles have "scrubbed" scope numbers (which is also typical).
Your typical Century mount. Same as RGUNS, and Tulsky, and some Molots
SAMCO
scope-less snipers:
Imported by: SAMCO only (http://www.samcoglobal.com/)
Sold by: SAMCO only
Exported out of Yugoslavia.
Samco imported a bunch of PU snipers
without any optics on them. Not the snipers being sold with the scopes
on them, those are "Tulsky" Snipers. They were still drilled and tapped
(by the arsenals) when sold to SAMCO and imported by SAMCO. They were
used by the Russians during WWII and after the war, were given to
Yugoslavia. Never refurbished like the Russian PU snipers were and are
basically the same configuration as they were in WWII with mostly the
original parts that were on them in WWII. Yugoslavia removed the optics
to be used elsewhere and sold the rifle. This is the lot that Samco
purchased. Many people bought these rifles and put the correct base,
mount and scope on them. Accepted as "real" snipers because they are
still in PU sniper configuration the entire time. Not a "re-snipered"
rifle, as they never removed from sniper service by plugging the holes
up and restocking them.
Caution: Samco also sells Molot snipers
with the optics on them, and they are Tulsky snipers. They also sell
"bent bolt" M91/30's that were never PU snipers, just M91/30's that had
a bent sniper bolt put on them during the refurb process in Russia.
RGUNS also sold some of these "bent bolt" standard M91/30 rifle, but
they never were PU sniper rifles. Just standard infantry M91/30's with
a real sniper bolt.
Photo Section:
Samco Yugo Snipers have the serial number stamped under the butt plate.
Yugo PU snipers also have the head of the cleaning rod "brazed" on.
(note the gold or brass coloring under the head of the cleaning rod)
Yugoslavia coated all their weapon in a very dark grease as opposed to
the lighter grease the Russians used.
This is how the rifle comes from SAMCO. No base, mount or scope, but
the holes (2 threaded and 2 plain) are still there.
Some of them have the pins still in them like the above example.
Here is a typical "addition of a real Russian base added to the above
holes and pins.
This is not a easy task to do. Russian Mosin PU snipers are not
"exactly" the same and the pin and screw hole can be different on each
rifle.
RGUNS Snipers:
Imported by: RGUNS only (http://www.rguns.net/)
Sold by: RGUNS only
Exported out of the Ukraine.
These rifles were purchased by RGUNS and
then imported by RGUNS into the United States. People (with no interest
in the rifles) saw them for sale in the Soviet arsenals. All RGUNS
snipers have the small RGUNS import mark on the top of the receiver
just under the front scope lens. The general consensus is the
refurbishment to these snipers was done in the 60's and 70's (same time
as the standard M91/30's were refurbished) and they were re-issued to
some Soviet Police. This is the reason some of them are a little beat
up. Then they were stored until selling them to RGUNS who also were the
exporter/importer.
RGUNS imported standard M91/30's also
and they were import marked on the side of the receiver, sometimes in
larger lettering. So if you have a RGUNS sniper and the import mark
falls under the scope mount, it is faked. Someone took a RGUNS standard
M91/30 and made a PU sniper out of it. So watch that import marks
location.
Many people have seen these rifles at
RGUN's facilities in the original arsenal crates with their "flaking"
shellac (just like all the other M91/30, and M38, and M44's have) and
all. The paper work has been shown for the individual crates (not all
of them) that list the rifles by serial number in that crate in Russian
and done by the arsenals and listed as sniper rifles.
Tuco (C0-Gunboards Owner) heard of the
rifles for sale in the Ukraine 2 to 3 years before they went on sale
with RGUNS. He understood no one wanted to import them at that time as
they felt there was not enough demand for them at the $800 level. When
he went to find them he discovered RGUNS had bought them and imported
them. He knows the rifles and knows they are real.
Interesting article written and posted on Gunboards by the owner Vic
Thomas. http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?205899-R-Guns-PU-sniper
They were originally WWII used sniper rifles and later used by the
police. After service with the police they were returned to the
military and refurbished and stored until RGUNS bought them. It it
generally believed to be true.
RGUNS are the only "known" PU snipers for sale that can be confirmed
where they came from. That confirmation also came from someone other
than RGUNS. Yes they are all in a different state of re-refurbishment.
Some are rifles that obviously had damage during the war and parts were
replaced, and other are almost entirely original. Most if not all had
swapped bolts and butt plates (from other PU snipers) during
refurbishment. The bolt and butt plate was re-stamped after
refurbishment so it is impossible to know if they are original to the
rifle or not. (probably not). But all the work was done by the
arsenals, not a "civilian".
The arsenals went through some trouble to make sure the
barrel/receiver, stock, scope mount /base, and scope all stayed
together on the same rifle if possible. To do this they electro
penciled the scope mounts with the scope number and rifle serial
number. This allowed them to put the barrel/receiver back with the same
mount and same scope. They marked the serial number in the barrel
channel on the stock. This would allow them to put the stock back with
the barrel and receiver. Some have penciled in serial numbers partly
shellacked over which shows the pencil marks were on “before” the
shellac process. All this makes sense as they would not have to "re
fit" all these parts once everything was re-blued. It would all then
fit with no adjustments. This is why they think they were electro
penciled on the mount and marked in the barrel channel of the stock. If
not, the stocks would show large gaps in some area as they were
refitted. They eliminated this problem buy numbering the parts to keep
everything together.
However, probably some had to have new scopes, some new stocks and so
on. Those rifles that needed new stock and had them put on will not
show serial numbers in the barrel channel. Those that needed new scope
may not match the scope numbers on the side of the barrel shank and
will not have the scope number on the mount electro penciled on or it
might not match.
RGUNS sells them all for $800 now but, they used to sell them for $900
for a Tula and $00 for a Izhevsk. $1000 they would handpick an all
matching rifle. That would be all serial numbers and scope numbers
matching. Scope numbers matches barrel shank, and electro penciled
number on mount. Serial number on barrel shank matched number on stock
and butt plate and re-stamped number on bolt and and EP’s number on
mount. In other words, except for the bolt, this is the same rifle as
in WWII except it was refurbished. The bolts do not have the prefix
letters on them and they originally did, so this shows they have been
re-stamped.
What is good about buying a RGUN sniper rifle is, It is guaranteed it
is real, and that import mark on the top of the receiver (RGUNS never
did that only on the snipers and in a small font) is the signature it
is a real PU sniper and not a "re-sniper" a "put together or a "fake".
Photo Section:
RGUNS import mark (Located on the very top of the receiver and in small
font (hard to see sometimes).
Never on the side of the receiver or under the scope mount.
If it is under the scope mount, someone took a standard M91/30 (from
RGUNS) and made a sniper from it. RGUNS also sold standard M91/30's.
Pencil serial numbers put on some refurbished snipers (not all, just
some) showing they tried to keep the stocks with the rifles during
refurbishment at the arsenal.
This is typical of the scope markings on a Izhevsk PU sniper that has
been refinished. Usually indicating that the scope was replaced
(probably due to damage) at some time in it's life.
But there are examples of "scrubbed" and restamped and "original"
matching scope numbers also.
note: Tula snipers were not marked like this, only the Izhevsk PU
sniper rifles. Same as the Century (Ukraine) and Tulsky (Russian)
snipers. Only Molot's were.
Example of "original" matching or possibly "scrubbed" and re-stamped
scope numbers.
This is the mount on a Tula RGUNS sniper. As the Tula snipers did not
have a scope number on the side of the rifle, they didn't bother to put
electro pencil scope number on the mount.
Top View of a laminated RGUNS sniper rifle. This is rare to see on a
sniper rifle. As the laminated stocks mainly came after the war (a few
were used during WWII),
it is generally agreed that these stocks were probably put on during
refurbishment.
Serial numbers under the handguard on some RGUNS snipers.
Another shot of the import markings.
Molot Snipers
http://www.molot.biz/product-e/index.php)
Imported by: IO,
Sold by: AIM, Century, Centerfire
Exported out of Russia.
Molot Sniper Information as known to this date.
No one knows the entire story about how
this batch of sniper (called Molot snipers) or how they were handled exactly.
The parts and rifles are real refurbished PU sniper rifles and parts.
That is in not in question. The question has been,
did anyone (or company like Molot) maybe put them
together and match the scope numbers up. Were they put together from
parts by Molot, or perhaps by the arsenals and the scope numbers added
after? Those are the unanswered questions at this time. We may learn
more if we continue to ask questions from those who handled these
snipers.
The only story that we know is, someone got the rifle (or parts?) and
handed them over to Molot (remember, Molot is a Russian company and not
an arsenal). They "processed them" (what ever that means) and packaged
(not a big deal) them in wrap and boxes. They were turned over to IO
(importer) to be imported to the US. then some went to AIM (sellers in
the US), and some to Century (sellers in the US), and a few others.
They are a collectable PU sniper, it is just to what degree. Just as a
"all original" sniper rifle that has all of it's "original parts" and not
gone through a refurbishment is more collectable then a refurbished PU
sniper rifle is. All collectable, just to different degrees. We will
leave that "list" to the "real" collectors.
Molot Buisness Partners (same rifle as Molot)
Waffen Schumacher GmbH Krefeld, Germany
Rosjagd GmbH Hamburg, Germany
Asekauppa Erkki Lahdeniemi Tampere, Finland
Artemis AS Oslo, Norway
Zommers Ltd. Riga, Latvia
Hunting Association "Jaanikese" Estonia
Ase Travel Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Kartalis Near East Agency Thessaloniki, Greece
Indusstek Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
Photo Section:
(three photos above) This is the mark Molot put on the rifles when they
"processed" them after they came to them from the arsenals.
The Diamond mark is a Russian proof mark and is not a Molot mark. But
it will be found on any Russian exported Mosin rifle (required by
Russia)
The Bn mark is a trade mark of Molot.
(no photo yet)
Serial number put on by IO on the receiver
(located just behind the barrel shank and in front of the mount).
This serial number is the "official" serial number as far as the BATF
is concerned and is required during import into the US
(no photo yet)
Import mark put on
by IO (located on side of barrel near the muzzle)
(two photos above) This is the markings put on by Molot under the hand
guard of the later released snipers.
The Diamond mark is a Russian proof mark and is not a Molot mark. But
it will be found on any Russian exported Mosin rifle (required by
Russia)
The Bn mark is a trade mark of Molot.
old scope numbers lined out and new (modern font and stamped after the
bluing) scope number added.
This one had the scope numbers "scrubbed" as they did many of the other
snipers and added new scope numbers.
Molot started exporting and importing to the USA them selves. This is
their mark on top of the receiver (some of the last Molots so far).
X'd out scope numbers and new scope numbers added. (modern fonts?)
This is an example of a Tula that had scope numbers lined out and new
scope numbers added. Molot snipers are the only snipers that have scope
numbers on the side of Tula snipers.
Mount Electro Penciled with ser# and scope#. Typical of all sniper
rifles and not just Molots.
The following are the reason Molot's are "questioned" along with the
fact they will not talk themselves".
These rifle have been produced by Molot for many years now. Well before
they discovered they could make more money on "old PU sniper rifles".
A Molot made rifle. Some Mosin parts were used, but the barrels are new.
A Molot made sniper rifle by Molot . Called a "hunting rifle". Some
Mosin parts were used, but the barrels are new.
Another Molot made rifle. Also some Mosin parts were used, but the
barrels are new. This is also called a "hunting rifle".
Sort of like a Michell's Mauser version of a Mosin.
"Tulsky" Snipers
"TULSKY PATRONNY ZAVOD", JSC
Imported by: PW Arms, IO
Sold by: SAMCO, AIM, Classic Arms, Royal Tiger Imports
Exported out of Russia.
These PU sniper rifles started coming in
around April of 2014 (plus or minus). They appear to have more in
common with the other sniper rifles (Century, RGUNS) and less so with
the Molots as far as markings and traits go. They are out of Russia and
not the Ukraine leading the collectors to believe the Soviets Union
refurbished all their rifles the same in the Ukraine and Russia. Which
would make sense as they were the government that owned all of them at
the time of refurbishment.
More to come on these as we learn more.
PW arms import marks on front of barrel.
PW arms import marks on the front of the receiver (towards left in
photo)
And scope lined out marks on left side of barrel shank.
No scope numbers on left side of Tula snipers. Same as Century, and
RGUNS.
Typical mount marked with electro pencil (scope and serial numbers).
Same as all snipers had except Tula snipers.
 Tulsky marks on side of rear sight base. Assumed to be by Tulsky.
Marking put on by Tulsky. "Made in Russia" and the T in a circle inside
of a triangle is Tulsky's trade mark.
The Diamond mark is a Russian proof mark and is not a Molot mark. But
it will be found on any Russian exported Mosin rifle (required by
Russia)
Same as above.
All Russian Exported Rifles
Molot, and Tulsky (at this point):
All small arms (and some ammo)exported from Russia have this mark on
them. It is a requirement of the Russian Government.
Klimovsk: Proof-House for the proof of small arms, Russia
The Diamond mark is found on Russian exported firearms and is required
by Russia.
Examples
of proof mark:
Bolt area
Rear receiver
Side of barrel shank.
But it can be found in a lot of different places.
Fake and "Reproduction"
Snipers
Imported by: some
Sold by: AIM, Century, Big 5, SOG and many others
Remember, we are a "PRESERVATION" forum.
We believe that the rifles should be preserved and not altered from the
state and configuration they were in when they left the arsenals. Any
altering (permanent) is not allowed on the forums and is a shame the
firearm was devalued. (commonly called...bubba'd)
Just a short word on Fakes and "reproductions"
First, none of these can be truly
classified as a "reproduction". Reproductions are reproduced from
scratch such as the piatta 1858 Nave Colts and Army revolvers, or even
the muskets and Hawkins. These "reproduction" Mosins are made from
original M91/30 Infantry rifles that have been drilled and tapped and
altered for a reproduction mount, base, and scope. For a "preservation"
forum such as ours, this is not acceptable. So truly, they are not
reproductions, but in fact "FAKES".
"FAKES":
A "Fake" is when they take a "real
firearm" and add either "real parts" or "reproduction parts" to make it
into something else that it never was. Then they never properly mark
the firearm so there is no confusion. Instead, the idea is to "fake"
people into thinking it is "real". Typically when these were sold, the
advertising was written in a way as to confuse or "misinform" without
actually "lying". Many people bought these rifles are believed them to
be "real" and were disappointed. They now float around being sold as
"real". Import marks must not be "under" the scope base. If they are,
it is an indication they are fakes.
Information on how to spot a "FAKE":
http://russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com/viewforum.php?f=52
Re-sniper:
Also a altered rifle. These are ex-sniper rifles
that had the holes plugged by the arsenals and refurbished.
Decommissioned as sniper rifles and are now in M91/30 infantry
configuration. Re-snipering is when someone drills out the holes and
mounts either real parts or fake parts on to it. These can be spotted
by a trained eye. The import marks are incorrect or "under" the base of
the scope. Or have the wrong importers. Not allowed on the foorums as
the rifle left the arsenal as a standard infentry M91/30 commonly
called a ex-sniper rifle. Ex-snipers are collectable unless you
re-sniper them, then it devalues the rifle.
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