Makarov 1963 Soviet Unfired -New or Fake

[stuntman4]

Hello.
just bought Makarov Soviet 1963 from auction. Stamps shows it is original soviet Izhevsk.
Interesting fact, it looks like pistol is unfired or just restored to new condition.
No scratches inside or outside of pistol, showing that it was in business and a lot of solidol (grease, cosmoline) inside.
No import marks etc. Two matched magazines with no scratches also.
What are your thoughts?
Hard to imagine it is new, I think it is fake, just restored and refinished.
Thank you

[stuntman4]

more

more

[boris badinov]

For 60 year old surplus, it's virtually impossible to determine if a given firearm has been fired.

Condition, however, is often fairly easy to determine. In this case, I'm not sure if it gets any higher. There even appears to be an intact partial serial (84) ep'd on the hammer.

Unfired?... Maybe. Maybe not.

In it's current condition this is a top value piece. If there were some way to make a definitive claim that it was unfired, I doubt the value would change much, if at all.

Nice catch

[stuntman4]

I am just thinking - yes, we can refinish frame and other parts, polish and so on, but it is impossible I think to restore worn and torn metal parts on the slide (inner parts where we have ammo that is moving back and force).
I bought it on auction with another Makarov 1963 (it is old, used, heavily worn), there was no other information about pistols, just several photos and that is it, nobody knew that one of them is like new and greased.

[MajorSideburns]

Looks very nice, good score. I would assume it to be original, it doesn't look refinished to me. Is there an import stamp on it anywhere?

[beerman]

That looks original to me. Stampings are crisp, sharp edges. You scored OP!

[SVT-40]

It's as issued.. But fired for proofing when manufactured. Firing a few rounds before it was greased and stored will not show as wear.

Super nice Soviet Makarov.

[boris badinov]

It's as issued.. But fired for proofing when manufactured. Firing a few rounds before it was greased and stored will not show as wear.

Super nice Soviet Makarov.

Highly doubtful that every mass production military small arm is test fired.

The goal of mass production is streamlining production to maximize output. Test firing every pistol or rifle in a given model production line is the opposite of that. Test firing takes time and manpower. And, with corrosive Soviet ammo, also requires cleaning.


For quality control, testing random and batch samples are the standard in mas production.

[stuntman4]

Looks very nice, good score. I would assume it to be original, it doesn't look refinished to me. Is there an import stamp on it anywhere?

no import marks

[SVT-40]

Highly doubtful that every mass production military small arm is test fired.

The goal of mass production is streamlining production to maximize output. Test firing every pistol or rifle in a given model production line is the opposite of that. Test firing takes time and manpower. And, with corrosive Soviet ammo, also requires cleaning.


For quality control, testing random and batch samples are the standard in mas production.

I disagree. Proofing is a usual standard for every military produced firearm. Remember especially the Soviets had many / most state employees who were make work types. Also most every Soviet era gun will have many proofs to show their course through the production and inspection phases.

As for no import marks. There are many military surplus guns which for one reason or another don't have import marks. There are quite a few which have filtered across the Canadian border over the past decades.

I have some which simply weren't marked...

It really doesn't matter.

This is a fine original Soviet era Makarov.

SVT

[Dan_Eastvale]

Very, very nice

End in a bidding war?

[boris badinov]

I disagree. Proofing is a usual standard for every military produced firearm. Remember especially the Soviets had many / most state employees who were make work types. Also most every Soviet era gun will have many proofs to show their course through the production and inspection phases.

SVT

Inspection and inspection stamping is part of the process which is specifically intended to prevent having to test every item at final production.

Test firing of every firearm in a production run is not a thing. Ask anyone who has ever worked on a mass production, manufacturing assembly line-- (like myself).

The fact that you've made this claim many times over the years only demonstrates that you haven't really any clue how mass production works.

[SVT-40]

Inspection and inspection stamping is part of the process which is specifically intended to prevent having to test every item at final production.

Test firing of every firearm in a production run is not a thing. Ask anyone who has ever worked on a mass production, manufacturing assembly line-- (like myself).

The fact that you've made this claim many times over the years only demonstrates that you haven't really any clue how mass production works.

LOL... But you've never worked in the firearms industry.

If you actually look at most countries proofing schedules you will find they have "final" firing proofs. In many countries it's a requirement.

That means it's a law that every firearm be fired and proofed before it can be sold or issued.

Heck, I've got books showing the firing proofs for most countries including Russia (USSR)


Heck even US commercial firearms manufacturers shoot every pistol / rifle before they are distributed. I've personally visited the Ruger plant here in Prescott and watched employees shooting each and every pistol produced. I've know

You are simply making assumptions about a process you have never been involved with.

Heck, I just bought a new FN made pistol last week. It showed evidence that it had been fired...



But again. This thread isn't about your feelings. It's about this super nice Makarov.

Let it go...

[boris badinov]

LOL... But you've never worked in the firearms industry.

If you actually look at most countries proofing schedules you will find they have "final" firing proofs. In many countries it's a requirement.

That means it's a law that every firearm be fired and proofed before it can be sold.

Heck, I've got books showing the firing proofs for most countries including Russia (USSR)


Heck even US commercial firearms manufacturers shoot every pistol / rifle before they are distributed. I've personally visited the Ruger plant here in Prescott and watched employees shooting each and every pistol produced. I've know

You are simply making assumptions about a process you have never been involved with.

Heck, I just bought a new FN made pistol last week. It showed evidence that it had been fired...



But again. This thread isn't about your feelings. It's about this super nice Makarov.

Let it go...

Well, heck...

Those are some good points

[LAKA90034]

Nice find OP!

It looks almost as nice as an E. German. I wasn't expecting that!