Hungarian Model 48 Mosin-Nagant Rifle..(F 1061)
Created on July 4th 2022
Puska 48.M Cold War Nagant built in Hungary
Just when you thought you had seen the best – this turns up! Oozing a quality long since forgotten in these circles of interest. Sold out of a long established, high quality, private military rifle collection and also, not having been seen on the UK market at all ! This rifle was levered out of the hands of the collector purely because he wanted something I had; otherwise it would not have seen the light of day for many years to come. This is an opportunity to purchase an extremely rare rife in the most fantastic collectors condition, a chance not to be missed because these things don’t come along every five minutes.
M.91/30 rifle with the code “02” on all parts denoting production in Hungary, including the cleaning rod! In standard military specification with a solid European Walnut stock and handguard showing strong figure around the butt-stock. Finger grooved fore-end with straight grip wrist. No sling mounts. Chambered in 7.62 x 54R with a five-shot single stack magazine. Round receiver.
Overall the rifle is 48.1/2″ in length. The round barrel is a nominal 28.1/2″ long and the trigger Pull to centre is 13.3/4″. Everything about the finish and the build of this rifle is different to any Russian Nagant you may have handled before. It is quite obvious that the rifle has not been refinished as there is some wear to the depth of blue but through that wear one can appreciate the different hues that show its age. It is only when you examine closely, that you start to appreciate how it came out of the factory! Everything within the building process of this rifle has been carried out to a much higher standard than anything you have seen before. Care would be taken at even the earliest stages of production to get an end result this good – let alone the attention that has then been paid to polishing and other finishing operations. Even so, all the edges are sharp, all the stampings of a decent depth with sharp edges. Any machining marks are fine and absolutely regular. The blueing is of an equally high standard. The bolt is finished in the white to a similar degree with mild darkening appearing towards the rear where most hand contact would have occurred. The serial number is stamped along the spine of the bolt reading “CA 2719” Also on the cocking piece, as in other places we can see the “02” manufacturing code for Budapest in Hungary.
The wood to metal fit is something that was never executed to this level by the original Mother country. Nothing is loose or rattles. All the clips and barrel bands are a perfect fit. There is no slack, no over-size letting out, the rifle action and barrel fit perfectly into the stock. The stock is in very good shape with the exception of the usual dents and scars associated with a life in the military, However, being a very hard timber this stock has not suffered badly and is really quite respectable. The stock has several single application clear stampings into the surface. On the RHS of the butt is a clear “B” in a circle – BUDAPEST Arsenal. Adjacent to a large “02” Colour and grain pattern to this stock are very attractive – very unusual on a Nagant. A solitary “N” is marked on the rear upper, just in front of the butt-plate tang; don’t quote me on this but the Hungarian for Large is “Nagy”; indication of stock length?
The round receiver is polished blue with the silver-coloured plain metal bolt contrasting nicely against it. The barrel shank still shows the finest finish turning marks from production and is clearly marked as follows;- ” 02 / 1951 / Hungarian crest /CA 2719 ” centrally along the crest. To the LHS are the German CIP proof marks and calibre designation of “7.62mm Russ” The are other very small inspection marks around the receiver and barrel. The sliding rear sight is graduated from 100 to 2000 meters and is marked “02” on the underside. Protected single post front sight with hole trough the top for height adjustment with the right tool. Full length cleaning rod stored under barrel. The steel butt-plate to the rear is marked upon the upper tang with the serial number in full and the “02” mark. Serial number repeated on underside of magazine. Even the barrel bands are marked “02”.
As mentioned above the finish is original so deterioration due to regular use shows on different areas of the rifle, like around the muzzle from fixing of bayonet. Receiver finished in strong blue as is magazine and trigger guard. The barrel colour just on the turn. Action is as smooth as a Nagant action can possibly be with its short-arm straight handled bolt. The bore is clean and complete with some degree of use but no pitting. A very fine Nagant for any student of the subject.
Stock No F 1061
£ 1175.
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