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1934 M28/30 original ?

3K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  zeebill 
#1 · (Edited)
Well this is coming from a guy who is cutting back on buying more stuff. A guy who is not going to buy any more duplicates and is going to start practicing restraint. Wanna buy a bridge? I have started watching and have bought a few things in the last couple of years on large auction site and happened to search and find some Finns. Nothing I needed but some pretty good groupings of 3-4 rifles at a crack. Had absolutely no intention of bidding on 3-4 28/30s at a crack, especially when I didn't need the years available. A couple might of been improvements as my 1937 example is pretty dog like but I am happy with most of my collection and was only watching. I watched about 8 lots the day of the auction but really was interested in a sole M91 also being sold that day. I ended up winning three very nice rifles that bubba had got to before me. I lucked out on this one as Bubba did no permanent damage thankfully. This rifle makes up a little for the damage on the other two rifles that is permanent. The kicker is that I never looked that closely at the pictures or the discriptions, just the years and sn of the rifles offered. While watching the bid was very low. So I says self, that is a bargain and bid once and won. It was afterward that I saw the rifles had been Bubbazized.

This one also had a spent pc of brass stuck in the chamber but it came out easy. The extractor had over rode the rim. Rifle cycles fine with live rounds but I did not function test yet. This rifle appears to me to be mostly original. The stock is early with no reinforcing bolt near the front band. The bolt matches the Sn# on the barrel {though not the original bolt I am sure}. The butt plate has last two digits of barrel sn#. The whole rifle is in an even worn patina condition that looks even including the magazine. The bore is nice and shiny but rounded lands so the bore matches the condition. The whole rifle appeared to be import condition except for Bubbas handiwork which I did not photograph. I now regret I didn't because I am grateful Bubba spared drilling holes in this one. Thank you bubba for sparing me this one. Well you guys I hope you enjoy this one I do and I am going to keep this even though I have another very nice 1934 in much "prettier condition".


 
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#4 · (Edited)
I too agree the original looks is a nice bonus!

This is quite early m/28-30 so I think it has had S22112 on bolt and 61 on knob & buttplate. At some point during the mid 1930s they quit stamping the S number onto bolt but instead started to add four last digits of serial numer to the knob. I'm sure some supply contract would tell which point the transition took place. It was carried on since then during the later m/28-30 and m/39 production.
 
#5 ·
Willyj73, unfortunately I did. Both of them are very nice and would of been happy with them if not for that. I didn't see the holes till after I won the bid. I had no intention of bidding on any of them. It was a split second decision to bid. I about cried when I saw the holes. The 1938 28/30 is very nice with mismatched bolt but rest appears original, that and two poorly drilled holes. Not happy with my actions but they are here and I am over it except for my pride.


CH thanks for the info. I figured the bolt body was only original as the sn# went. The stampings on the knob are 4 digits with no added on look or anything and no cg number like you mentioned. Original but not totally. Plus the stamping looks much newer and fresh, but at least it matches for what that is worth. I was just happy that Bubba didn't screw this one up like the other two. She ain't pretty but she is real enough for me. All three CG rifles that came today have really nice triggers. They break real clean/crisp and feel like they would be real close to US military match rifle required 4.5 lbs. Regards, John.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Well now that I spilled the beans on my latest stupid move might as well share the "rest of the story". Here is a wonderful 1938 28/30 that I feel is mostly original with a great bore. Bolt is mismatched though. Bubba was real busy for a while. This is presuming these rifles came from the same "factory". The M28 has same holes drilled in it too. If I were still shooting vintage matches these two would become my match rifles as they are actually in pretty decent shape but the holes kill them for me. Enjoy and don't do what I do is my advice.







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#8 ·
Figure a little public humiliation is good for building character this is the last of that auction that came today. Nothing special except the two holes drilled into the receiver. But hey it gives the rifle character and that been there done that look. A survivor who made it all the way to America before it was tampered with. I just love these old CG rifles. It doesn't make me feel good when I bring home stuff with extra holes in it. What bites is the two rifles with holes in them are nice examples! Oh well my chill pills should start working soon. Enjoy.






 
#9 ·
Very nice 1934 M28/30! I have one 120 off of yours! Mine has the original buttplate, and is faint, but has the last three digits of the SN on the bolt ball. Shoots well! Was restocked during refurbishment, but I really cant complain. Got mine from Vic and have been loving the rifle ever since! Yours looks pretty good from what i can see!





 
#10 ·
Great looking bunch. The holescan be fixed. I had a 28 that somebody d &at the top and I showed it to a gunsmith friend Ken at GMF. He suggested screws cut at the top with a slit so they filled the hole and could be screwed 1 turn below the surface. Then he had a laser welder fill the hole. It looked like caulk it was so clean. Simply filed polished the minor jumps and reblued the ground area and it virtually disappeared.
 
#12 ·
deoxys987 thanks for the pics and sharing. Funny my rifle is slightly older but has higher number on rear site base. Guess not really funny as I am sure they just grabbed parts as they needed them. Most of the time when I have looked the sight base numbers go up as the sn# goes up and correspond accordingly. No scientific study just occasional noticing as sn go up so to sn on sight bases usually?

Thanks for the nice words and I too have thought about being able to fill those screw holes. Will talk to my gunsmith buddy about it. Have heard those screw holes fill up and blend easy. If I didn't already have a lot of nice stuff I would be very happy with these as they are actually very nice rifles in their own Finnish kind of way. The 1938 28/30 is very nice, but so is the other one I have. The M28 is ok I have twenty other ones that are as nice or better so please understand why I am not more ecstatic over buying these. I am and I am not at the same time. But they are really cool to have sitting in my kitchen waiting to be fondled at will. Regardless of the extra holes they are very nice Finn rifles to hold and admire in person. Guess I am still working on my buyers remorse aye? Thanks, guys. Regards, John
 
#13 ·
I'm assuming it was random as far as the rear sight bases they used. That would explain why yours is higher than mine. If i was you i'd have Mangrove look up the history on your M28/30s! He found some cool info on mine! like that my S Number originally belonged to a 1917 Tula that was too worn down to continue service.
 
#14 ·
John you should have called me as I was at that auction and went home with 13 rifles and 5 lots. I did not bid on that lot because of the drilled holes and the 1934 was a duplicate. I had learned long ago if you are going to bid on anything at that auction you had better ignore the descriptions and be there to make inspections yourself at the auction house. I spent 6+ hours inspecting and logging all the rifles Thursday before the auction. I knew I would walk out with some lots and not others I was interested in because of online bidders using only descriptions given which was the case. You can't win them all and I was forced to take some rifles that were bubba'd to get others that I wanted. Those rifles were easily savable as it turned out too!

The people at that auction house are very nice, as they are paid to be, but they do like many places know Mosins. This plays right into collectors hands many times and it did for a couple of us on here on this board. I will not tell you all the things and idiosyncrasies that can be learned by reading their descriptions and actually seeing what they are describing in person but the 5 hour trip I made there paid off very well for me. I was also able to attend the York Gun show Saturday and picked up some nice stuff there too. Got to meet Mitch there too. We had an impromptu Blindee seminar in the parking lot and a great conversation. I came home with 14 rifles and figure each one cost me about 350 dollars so the trip was worth it when you figure each one cost me about 1/2 to 3/4 what they were worth. Final thought is effort equals results how much do you really want that next treasure? Good Luck in your hunting! Bill
 
#17 ·
John you should have called me as I was at that auction and went home with 13 rifles and 5 lots. I did not bid on that lot because of the drilled holes and the 1934 was a duplicate. I had learned long ago if you are going to bid on anything at that auction you had better ignore the descriptions and be there to make inspections yourself at the auction house. I spent 6+ hours inspecting and logging all the rifles Thursday before the auction. I knew I would walk out with some lots and not others I was interested in because of online bidders using only descriptions given which was the case. You can't win them all and I was forced to take some rifles that were bubba'd to get others that I wanted. Those rifles were easily savable as it turned out too!

The people at that auction house are very nice, as they are paid to be, but they do like many places know Mosins. This plays right into collectors hands many times and it did for a couple of us on here on this board. I will not tell you all the things and idiosyncrasies that can be learned by reading their descriptions and actually seeing what they are describing in person but the 5 hour trip I made there paid off very well for me.
I won a few of the lots...more than I hoped to actually. However, that is a story for another day! I did my bidding online, as the auction was much too far from where I live. That being said, it was quite obvious that the guy(s) that described many of the Mosin lots did not know much about Mosins. Unfortunately, because I had to rely on their lousy descriptions and incomplete photos I won't know exactly what I got until they arrive. Barring any surprises, such as the OP got, or cracked stocks that weren't mentioned, I am confident I'll do ok. I am curious about zeebill's notes relative to the lots I won though! Anyways, my average cost turned out to be more than Bill's $350, but less than what most run of the mill M39's are going for, even after buyer's fees, shipping, handling, etc. I plan on keeping a few and selling the rest since I never intended to win and/or keep as many as I have coming my way. Once I get them and find the time to take some additional photos and give a more accurate description than what was advertised, I'll start a post of my own here.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Thank you all again and you to zeebill for sharing your thoughts and experiences with auctions like this . I am being 100% honest in the fact that I did not plan on bidding on anything except maybe the Remington M91. That is what I was waiting for, but was interested to see what the lots of 28/30s would go for. I am not "in the business" and hate selling anything so for me to buy rifles with no other intent but to sell just isn't my cup of tea. I only bid on them as I saw the bid stall and a really low price {hadn't looked real hard at the pics or descriptions, just sn# and dates} I had no beer in me either. Strictly a last second decision to bid, bid once and I was the new owner. Absolutely no intention to buy these, they are duplicates I didn't need. You are older than me, but I am on your heals and just don't need any or much more in my collection. I hate selling anything, hay, guns, used vehicles you name it I might own it but don't want to sell. I do not enjoy selling or dealing with people who are looking to buy. I get frustrated real quick. This is why I am more upset that I bought them then I am at what I bought. Not sure any of this makes sense. Once I get a dog, horse, gun, old tractor it stays with me, usually to the end in the case of mammals. Cool old rifles are super glued to my ownership regardless if I don't care that much about them after time. I don't need any more stuff. If I were approaching my collection with more vigor or time and money I would travel to the auctions like you suggest. Nothing trumps being in person to see what is what. I had no intention to buy these, but had given myself permission to go after the Remington M91. After I dropped the change on these I didn't feel like hanging in there on that Remington 91. To make matters worse I bought two less stellar Remington M91s and a 1907 Tula M91 that week too. No one who knows me takes me serious when I say I am cutting back, including me. There must be a 10 step program for gun collectors somewhere and I need to join up.

These rifles are cool and I am cool with having them, but it was not luck, providence or planning on my part. Just the damn impulsiveness I have and have had with auctions of any kind. I am grateful I don't hang at casinos as I can see where I might get addicted to gambling too.

deoxy987, I had Mangrove look up two of my CG rifles. One is a #5501 M28 with an adjustable windage sight. The other is a Tika M28 #29848 that was converted to 28/30 specs. I wanted to go on a hunch that quite possible a competitive shooter might have paid to have these options done on a CG rifle? Being a former competitive shooter I know how obsessive one can be about shooting and accuracy. Felt the average soldier probable wasn't willing to spend the money for a rifle that was accurate enough as issued? So I chose these two rifles to have researched. The Tika upgrade was kind of a bust, not much found on it. But the Sig M28 I thought had some very interesting owners. The first may have been KIA early in Continuation war, the second owner was a trooper with quite a bit of history dating back to the revolution in 1917. I hope I got this right. Was planning on doing photos of both rifles and then sharing what Mangrove had found. The second owner sounded like a very interesting soldier who had been there and done that during Finlands truly historical early beginnings and WW2 years. I have serious trouble with the English language and no ability at all with Finnish or Russian language.

Cheers, John. PS Bill I can't even imagine the treasures you have and have passed through. I would have sensory overload. Nice hearing from you.
 
#16 ·
While the Remington was nice I have a hard time seeing 1400 without auction premiums, shipping, and other costs added in so I was not interested at all and was checking out when that came up. An old collector buddy of mine was there and he wanted it but he thought maybe 700 or 800 hundred or so would take it. I laughed and told him at least 1000 or 1200 was as cheap as it would go and he laughed. He came over later and said what it went for and I laughed with him. It was a nice rifle but showed a couple of things had been shall we say maybe worked with on it and I steered way clear of it. Still waiting for the Capt to get his rifles and see what he got and what shape they are in.

I have a very odd last name beginning with Z (hence the zeebill handle) and when I called the auction to get the registration and check OK'd procedure the girl on the phone asked my name. She laughed and said I would be easy to find at least as there were probably no others listed with my name. Got a shocker there is another with my last name registered and he is from I believe Michigan or Wisconsin. His first name is a family name so I may have discovered another long lost relative if I can figure out how to get ahold of him. It is indeed a small world! John I am afraid I share many of your traits as things sort of stick real tight to me after I get them. Just finally gave up on my well travelled (230,000+ miles) Toyota pickup and traded for a year old Ford Transvan. I am still having pangs of missing that old truck and all its little failings! Haha! Bill
 
#18 ·
Just to be clear I have no problems with the auction sites description or photos. My rifles showed clearly they had been worked on both in pictures and descriptions if one took the time to read them. Agree with Bill and Learjet60 it would be better to see in person. And certainly to put more effort into looking if your planning on bidding. I would of still watched the rifles I won, I just wouldn't of bought them or bid. This is all on me and no one else, just for the record. But I am ok they are all nice anyway. Good luck on your rifles. By the way I think the shipping on mine was about $40-45 for all three rifles that came in one box wrapped better than an Egyptian mummy. The cost and quality of packing/shipping was exceptional I thought.

Cheers, John.
 
#19 ·
First of all, I forgot to congratulate you on your winnings. The '34 M28/30 you got is very nice and I'd be happy to own it. I enjoy having rifles with character and yours has some. The other two are very nice in their own right. It is unfortunate they were messed with. I'll be interested in knowing if/what you do with them as far as restoration of the holes.

As far as your characterization of the descriptions, I certainly didn't think you implied there was any deceit or deception involved. The descriptions of many of the Mosins showed that whoever described them showed they didn't have much knowledge of them, that's all. Unfortunately for us online bidders, the pictures were not complete enough to ascertain things like stock condition (such as near the tang), bolt numbers (some shown, most not), handguard condition, etc. All we could do is take an educated guess and bid accordingly. I will find out soon enough if my educated guess/gamble paid off.

I'm glad to hear the packaging was done with care. Nothing annoys me more than when someone doesn't take the time to properly protect a firearm shipment. It is laziness and carelessness, plain and simple. I agree that the shipping cost was reasonable, and I will take no issue what the handling portion of the invoice for a quality packing job.

Thanks for sharing your rifles and your experience. Don't hang your head too low. There are more collectors that have made buys that they second guessed than those that haven't.
 
#20 ·
After a few years of dealing with many different auction services I have learned the following:

Deception is by totally ignoring things and not mentioning them in the description or pictures.
Cover for doing that is by feigning ignorance or refusing to see things that are obvious.
They almost always have pretty girls floating around to serve your every whim or need.
When you call on the phone and ask them to look at something for you the expert is always not available so you are describing something to look at to someone totally ignorant of what you want.

I have no problems with any of these things and after many years have come to expect it as part of the game and actually fun to work around. Life is always a challenge if you work at it and auction companies are always very gracious and try to be helpful and fun to work around. You just have to figure out what they do good and what they fail on and you can maybe take advantage of too. It is however very hard to do these things on the phone or on the computer so I travel and see what I can cull for decent prices and what they have goofed on and I can take advantage of by being there. Bill
 
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