WTB Czarist Mosin

[Cylarz]

It's me again. You all must be getting sick of hearing from me by now, but there is one additional vintage C&R rifle I've been considering.

This time it's a 1916 Westinghouse Mosin Nagant. I was attempting to read up on what they're worth, but estimates are all over the map since condition varies widely:

http://forums.gunboards.com/archive/index.php/t-150396.html

http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/160161-m91-n-e-w-finn-capture-value.html

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437634

etc.

I've offered the seller $250. He accepted that offer with the condition that I also take 500 rounds of Mosin ammo for an additional $100. However, I believe I can back out on the deal if I want to, without hard feelings. He is trying to buy himself one of those beat-up China Norinco SKS's that have been popping up lately.

I told him I didn't think I could pay or take delivery for a couple of weeks, pending outcome of the M1903 fiasco. I've consoled myself with the knowledge that $250 is a much smaller risk than with the other 2 rifles I've looked at, and $100 for 500rnds of Mosin ammo is a no-brainer to me, even if it's corrosive steel-cased surplus. (Like many C&R collectors I'm a huge fan of the Mosin and also have other rifles that will accept these rounds.)

I haven't looked around a lot (figured I'd ask you guys first), though I did run across this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=331615411

I figured it was a given that a Westinghouse WWI Mosin would be worth slightly more than its more common Soviet M91/30 counterpart, though not tremendously more.

This time, I have pictures. Take a look and render opinion please.

More pics to follow.

[AleksandreCz]

Id pay 350 for it easy even without the ammo

[Emdawg]

Ooooo a Finn capture Westinghouse!

You want none of it. Just tell me where the individual lives, so that I may... "relieve" him of such garbage.

[Cylarz]

Id pay 350 for it easy even without the ammo

Jump on it, eh?

It was a fine line for me - Mosins as a general rule aren't worth much, so I didn't want to overpay...OTOH, there ARE a few relatively rare variants that are worth considerably more than your garden-variety Soviet WWII implement.

After the episode with the low-serial M1903, I also was worried that picking up another gun of similar vintage might lead to the same trouble all over again. Can't wait for someone to tell me that Westinghouse's workers were "eyeballing" the receiver steel as was the case over at Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal during the same period....tell me it's not so.

[Cylarz]

Ooooo a Finn capture Westinghouse!

You want none of it. Just tell me where the individual lives, so that I may... "relieve" him of such garbage.

Yeah, yeah, great. I just don't want to get swindled again or taken in by another BS story. I no longer trust my own judgment.

[Emdawg]

Yeah, yeah, great. I just don't want to get swindled again or taken in by another BS story. I no longer trust my own judgment.

Oh no. Remingtons and Westinghouse are worth $250 at an absolute minimum.

That one is a Finnish capture. You can tell by the "SA" in a box on the left side of the barrel. That is the abbreviation for the Finnish Army.

Lucky find.

Just remember Emdawg when you don't want it anymore.

[AleksandreCz]

Jump on it, eh?

It was a fine line for me - Mosins as a general rule aren't worth much, so I didn't want to overpay...OTOH, there ARE a few relatively rare variants that are worth considerably more than your garden-variety Soviet WWII implement.

After the episode with the low-serial M1903, I also was worried that picking up another gun of similar vintage might lead to the same trouble all over again. Can't wait for someone to tell me that Westinghouse's workers were "eyeballing" the receiver steel as was the case over at Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal during the same period....tell me it's not so.

For 350 you aren't going to be loosing money.
I am not the greatest Mosin Expert Hell not even an expert I can barely tell a M38 from an M44 But to me it looks legit I've seen a few westinghouses But no Finish Captures.
As I said If I was in your position and 350 to spend I would jump on it.

[Cylarz]

Oh no. Remingtons and Westinghouse are worth $250 at an absolute minimum.

That one is a Finnish capture. You can tell by the "SA" in a box on the left side of the barrel. That is the abbreviation for the Finnish Army.

Lucky find.

Just remember Emdawg when you don't want it anymore.

My girlfriend wants to know when I will be "finnish" with collecting beat up old rifles. Couldn't answer her.

[Emdawg]

My girlfriend wants to know when I will be "finnish" with collecting beat up old rifles. Couldn't answer her.

You have contracted the disease. There is no cure.

And the stock on that M91 seems to be very nice. Most of them are usually brown and beat. Not sure if refinished, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt.

EDIT: I see something. That stock seems to be a replacement from the Finns. I can see the splice lines!!!

[bellts]

Very nice find and a great deal.

[big103]

I would go for it worse case you could get your money out of it.

[Cylarz]

EDIT: I see something. That stock seems to be a replacement from the Finns. I can see the splice lines!!!

Is that bad?

[89 Vision]

I'd snatch that deal up in a second. It would go in my keeper pile. Give us a shot if you want to offload it.

[Emdawg]

Is that bad?

Well it is not the original Westinghouse stock, but it is a Finnish replacement and since they have already stamped their proof marks on the rifle, then it is A-Okay.

In all honesty a Finnish splicer is actually better than the standard one piece stocks the Commies had.

[Cylarz]

It just dawned on me that the seller must have his wires crossed. Those last two photos are of a different rifle. In the first I can see the word "westinghouse" w/ serial, in the second I can see a bolt which matches that serial, and the third looks like a Mosin but I can't tell 100% if it's the same rifle.

In pic #4 I see a waffenworks 1916 receiver crest which looks more like a Gew98 than a mosin, and in #5 i see a hex receiver which clearly isn't on the westinghouse. Hmm.