Posted on Oct 19, 2017
Where can you find information on older weapons proof marks?
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Before you say anything, I've tried Google and there are a plethora of answers. I have recently come into possession of a 1942 91/30 Mosin-Nagant, an Enfield MKIII, and a 03-A3 Smith-Corona Springfield. I've been looking over the Mosin and Enfield and I have noticed various proof marks, some of which I recognize and some I don't. If you can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.
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Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
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Enfield's: enfieldresource.com has 150 links on Enfield's, as well as information on proof's.
Mosin Nagant: 7.62x54r.net
Smith Sights makes parts for Mosin's to improve the shootability and accuracy of the mosin.
Both of these sites are good to go on information.
The Enfield should be checked over well, I am assuming it is a No.1 Mk. III ? A faster bolt action rifle I doubt you will ever find. Parts for these are out there. I have a 1915 sporter (not done by me), and a 1916 in original condition. I also have a No4 Mk1. made post war. Enfield's made during war years tend to be not as well made. Pay attention to the sites, as the Brit's used Parker and Hale sights, but during war years cheap imitations were used. The .303 Brit is a good round and the Enfield has been in use by Canadian Native Tribes by Scouts right up until recently. One nice feature of the Enfield's, the butt section can be switched out for one with a longer or shorter length, a very useful feature. Numerich Gun parts, has a reproduction wooden check rest to give your rifle the needed lift if you are using a scope if you are looking for a T32 Sniper variation.
The 91/30 will be the rifle if you ever wanted to learn any form of gunsmithing on is the one to practice on as there were 13 million made by the Russians alone. Clean it, clean it again, and when you are done clean a 3rd, 4th, and 5th time, as Russian cosmoline is the worst gunk on the planet. Then use some Never Dull patches down the barrel to clean the staining of the barrel rom the cosmoline, it will shoot a little better. Triggers are rough, but a simpler rifle I have not seen.
There is a ton of stuff for the 1903A3 out there, CMP being a good resource. Ebay has a lot of barrels and other stuff on there, and Criterion makes barrels for them.
Enjoy them for what they are, resist the urge to go off and sport them. As original rifles hold their value more so then sport or bubbafied rifles do.
Mosin Nagant: 7.62x54r.net
Smith Sights makes parts for Mosin's to improve the shootability and accuracy of the mosin.
Both of these sites are good to go on information.
The Enfield should be checked over well, I am assuming it is a No.1 Mk. III ? A faster bolt action rifle I doubt you will ever find. Parts for these are out there. I have a 1915 sporter (not done by me), and a 1916 in original condition. I also have a No4 Mk1. made post war. Enfield's made during war years tend to be not as well made. Pay attention to the sites, as the Brit's used Parker and Hale sights, but during war years cheap imitations were used. The .303 Brit is a good round and the Enfield has been in use by Canadian Native Tribes by Scouts right up until recently. One nice feature of the Enfield's, the butt section can be switched out for one with a longer or shorter length, a very useful feature. Numerich Gun parts, has a reproduction wooden check rest to give your rifle the needed lift if you are using a scope if you are looking for a T32 Sniper variation.
The 91/30 will be the rifle if you ever wanted to learn any form of gunsmithing on is the one to practice on as there were 13 million made by the Russians alone. Clean it, clean it again, and when you are done clean a 3rd, 4th, and 5th time, as Russian cosmoline is the worst gunk on the planet. Then use some Never Dull patches down the barrel to clean the staining of the barrel rom the cosmoline, it will shoot a little better. Triggers are rough, but a simpler rifle I have not seen.
There is a ton of stuff for the 1903A3 out there, CMP being a good resource. Ebay has a lot of barrels and other stuff on there, and Criterion makes barrels for them.
Enjoy them for what they are, resist the urge to go off and sport them. As original rifles hold their value more so then sport or bubbafied rifles do.
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SPC (Join to see)
Still figuring the Enfield out, I was informed it was a Mk. III but I'm checking the markings. I immediately recognized the one for King George Rex but not so much on the others.
Chief, that cosmoline is a bitch and a half to get off. It's like a star chamber, you think you got it all then you comb back through and sure enough...
No plans to sport them, though the Springfield already is. I'll work on getting and original stock for it at some point.
Thanks for the advise and info.
Chief, that cosmoline is a bitch and a half to get off. It's like a star chamber, you think you got it all then you comb back through and sure enough...
No plans to sport them, though the Springfield already is. I'll work on getting and original stock for it at some point.
Thanks for the advise and info.
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SGT Matthew S.
The only way I've found to remove cosmoline is to take it all apart, place the receiver & barrel muzzle-down on a rag & wrap the whole thing in a black garbage bag. Place the trigger assembly, bolt pieces, etc, on another rag to where hollow parts will (hopefully) drain, and put all that in a black bag as well. Set it all out in the sun on a warm day, and after a couple hours it will hopefully either have heated most of the goop up and let it run out of the pieces, or else just be a lot easier to get off & out.
Might have to do that a couple times, but even repeated cleanings are better than trying to get off a spot you missed after it bakes on hard as a rock after you shoot it (don't ask me how I know that...)
Might have to do that a couple times, but even repeated cleanings are better than trying to get off a spot you missed after it bakes on hard as a rock after you shoot it (don't ask me how I know that...)
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CW3 Kevin Storm
If you live in the barracks this won't fly. But boiling your parts and cleaning the right away will cosmoline off. Some chemicals like acetone can help as well. Next your Mark III, does it have a stubby 1-2 " barrel sticking out past the end of the stock? Does it have a solid or hollow ball on the end of the bolt? if yes to these it is a No.4 or later model. If no, then it may be a No. I Mk III. Now if it shoots .308 and looks like a No 1. Mk III it may be a Ishapore No. II. Confused yet? Mosin info, I can help you with two, but I need a few more details. Hex receiver Y/N, short barrel y/n, hooded front sight? Year of production, what symbol is below the year of production?
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The encyclopedia of guns goes into a lot of detail on proof marks. It is available at many libraries, or you can purchase one but they are expensive.
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http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMarks.htm for the Mosin is my starting source, and the website as a whole has quite the wealth of knowledge. I'll have to look back through my info on the 03A3; that doesn't come to mind as easily. Quite the nice collection of rifles, to be sure!
I'm familiar with the Mosin & '03A3, but I've only ever looked at Enfields.
I'm familiar with the Mosin & '03A3, but I've only ever looked at Enfields.
Mosin Nagant Rifle Guide to Proofs and Markings
The numerous markings and proofs found on Mosin rifles can be overwhelming to the newcollector.Often the meaning is unknown even to the most knowledgeable researchers.However, many are known and they often reveal a lot about the individual rifle. The morecommonly encountered markings are shown here with brief explanations of their meanings.
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SGT Matthew S.
If you haven't already, you might also look at M1903.com; they have quite a bit of info on proof marks & cartouches
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SGT Matthew S.
Another place I've found a wealth of general information is http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/ . It's a message board with a number of very knowledgeable people concerning a multitude of old firearms.
Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com - Index page
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