M38 MO triple stamp

[bplvr]

Ok , so I found a Mosin M38 ,nice stock and NOT C/bored. It is stamped "MO"
and has 3 dates on the receiver. I couldn't find ANY reference on a piece like this ...so I grabbed it ,..and flipped an OOS seller in the process.

Any idea what this critter is really worth?{other than what I paid for it ,which is most likely TOO much}

[dustoff31]

M38s of any kind are getting harder to find. I'd say it's worth around $200-250 off the top of my head. More if it's got a real M38 handguard. There will be no cutout on the handguard for a folding bayonet like a M44 has.

The MO stamp is the mark for the Soviet Interior Ministry. The different dates are interesting. Dates it was re-arsenaled most likely.


ETA: Looking at Lurch762's link made me catch an error. MO is the Defense Ministry rather than Interior Ministry.

[Lurch762]

Check out here http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMO.htm. They rate it a 9 of 10 on the rarity scale.

[Interloper]

Many collectors reject the "Ministry of Defense" explanation of the "MO" mark. There is no consensus on the meaning of the dates, either.
Not everyone places a premium on those marks but I for one think they add to the value. Heck, a non CB M38 is rare enough as it is.
So what did you pay for it? and what does OOS mean?

edit:
Looking at Ted's chart, I notice that none of the dates are later than 1953...the year old Cockroach Whiskers died. I wonder if there could be a connection with the Gulag? Internal Security, prison or camp guards, etc.?

[dustoff31]

I wonder if there could be a connection with the Gulag? Internal Security, prison or camp guards, etc.?

According to the story I heard they were connected, hence my original post about the MO=Interior Ministry. But you know how stories are.

[mievil]

I know how much I'd pay for it, especially if the seller was local. Elbow elbow, nudge nudge.

[Rem222]

From what I have read I think you have a really nice rifle there. Congrats.... Post some pictures if you can...

[tmncali]

Awesome! If you like it, then it has more value than you know......

[Lurch762]

I know how much I'd pay for it, especially if the seller was local. Elbow elbow, nudge nudge.

LOL, I was wondering how long it would take before you made an offer. Give me a few days and I can make you all the triple date MO's you want. I could probably even scrounge up the super rare Chinese T-53 triple date MO for you.

[bplvr]

pics below . M38 MO 3x

[nick]

The stock is M44, but the markings are nice.

[HskrVern]

That stock is tickling my fancy. I am a fan of that deep red shellac.

[Stryfe76]

LOL, I was wondering how long it would take before you made an offer. Give me a few days and I can make you all the triple date MO's you want. I could probably even scrounge up the super rare Chinese T-53 triple date MO for you.

Can you rustle up a regular T-53? I've been looking for one of them

[stitchnicklas]

wow ,reading this thread makes me glad i swooped on a m38 from big5 in april,they screwed up the price too--got it for $99 ..fun to shoot too...

[Interloper]

The stock is M44, but the markings are nice.

Depending on the year, a stock with a bayo cut might actually be original.

Can you rustle up a regular T-53? I've been looking for one of them

A really nice one just sold on Gunborker for less than I thought it would. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=192806002

wow ,reading this thread makes me glad i swooped on a m38 from big5 in april,they screwed up the price too--got it for $99 ..fun to shoot too...

Did you put an ATI stock and a bipod on it yet? (just messin with ya! )