Besides that it's one of the most beautiful Mosin Nagants in my small but steadily growing collection.
I'm talking about my Mosin Nagant Model 91/59 build on a 1933 Izhevsk hex receiver.
Of course all Mosin Nagants have their own story, but for this carbine no proof can be found on where they were “produced”.
Some say they were ”produced” in the USSR, others state that Bulgaria cut back the 91/30 rifles.
Fact is that these weapons are 91/30 rifles cut back to the specifications of a Mosin Nagant M38.
They are called model 91/59 because of the marking that can be found on the receiver.
The easiest way to recognize an M91/59 is the rear sight which is the longer M91/30 type with all graduations above 10 milled off the leaf. The M91/59 was not issued with a bayonet and will not accept the M91/30 bayonet due to it's heavier front sight base.
Most models 91/59 are build on a round receiver.
Fewer are build on the hex receiver.
It is possible the USSR cut back obsolete 91/30 rifles to sell or donate them to one of their satellite countries, for example Bulgaria.
The US importer (Century Arms) stated they bought these carbines in Bulgaria, so the “selling to a satellite country theory” could be true.
However, I have never seen, heard nor read of any evidence that the USSR or Bulgaria cut back these rifles.
The fact that Century Arms bought these carbines in Bulgaria is no proof they were “produced” there.
Another possibility is that the USSR cut back the obsolete 91/30 rifles to support rebel organisations at the end of the 1950’s and this way weaken the strength of western countries.
An example for this support is the donation of weapons to Algerian rebels to support their fight against the French.
Then again, nothing is certain with this carbine and for me it stays the most mystic Mosin Nagant there is.
Met vriendelijke groet,
Martin
