Expert opinion - Identification of Russian Mosin Nagant M1944 Carabine

[Daven]

Hello all,

as recommended by the experts, here is my third rifle thread. This time regarding the already identified Russian Mosin Nagant M1944 carabine.

If more pictures needed, please let me know.

Thank you all in advance! I appreciate!

Happy discussion!

Thanks!

Daven

[AndyB]

Certainly a heavy mixmaster as receiver is marked 1943 Izhewsk it could be not from M44, so most real from M91/30 rifle, NT328 the barell was shortened or replaced with newer one to M44 configuration, the bolt is missmatch too SV1940, the buttstock is certainly postwar, 1948/9 , it was reselled by Frankonia. And probably deko demilitarised.

[Richard2]

Mosin Nagant M1944 carbines are dated in two places, on top of the barrel at the chamber, and at the bottom of the reciever tang, about where the rear screw goes through to hold the reciever to the stock. Sometimes the dates will be different even on original matching rifles because barrels were manufactured faster, and often the barrel is a few months older than the reciever. I have one with a 1944 barrel on a 1945 reciever.

I believe that the square with a line through it is a repair depot marking, indicating the rifle was repaired or refurbished post-war in Russia. A list of the markings can be found here:
Repair depots & refurnishment facilities markings | m9130.info

[AndyB]

I believe when you look at end of barell you will see the difference between refurbishment and real M44.The square box could be so as declared from refurbishment facility, anyway Sowjets didnt have composite buttstock technology prior end of 1945 as it copied from germans.

[Kilian]

I was wondering if this could have started life as a M1938 carbine, converted to a M1944 configuration by adding the folding bayonet. Frankly speaking I do not know if there are differences between the M1938 and M1944, other than the folding bayonet.

The Izhewsk arsenal in Russia by the way, can be identified by the “arrow” or “arrow in triangle” markings.

[Daven]

Hi Killian,

its maybe possible, because I can't get the bayonet to fold out completely, so it won't attach to the rifle barrel.

Best regards

David

[Kilian]

What is the problem? If I remember correctly you need to fold the bayonet forward, then pull it further forward against a coil spring so you can place the ring on the bayonet over the muzzle of the rifle. Then release it and the spring pulls the bayonet back over the barrel. Reverse procedure to fold it back.

[Daven]

Hey Killian,

thanx! I tried to pull the whole bayonet, but its only the little thing you have to pull.






Bayonet successfully attached!

Best regards

Daven

[AndyB]

Yes it could be conversion of M1938 carbine, when the diameter of barell on front sights corespond to the M44. Anyway the buttstock is typical postwar.

[Kilian]

I’ve been doing some more reading on the internet and found several references that production of the M1944 started already in 1943. Some 50,000 produced in 1943 according to Wiki: Mosin–Nagant - Wikipedia

I also did find another example of an Izhewsk manufactured M1944, dated 1943 (on gun.deals).

So it seems that the 1943 dated M1944 shown by @Daven is simply an example of a very early M1944, with a 1955-ish laminated stock.