Unissued Polish M-44 carbine....

J

JimmyJimenez

Joined
Sep 30, 2005
Messages
580
Within the past few days, we had a fellow forum member post up photos of his recently purchased (and very nice, if I may add) Russian M-44 carbine.

It reminded me of an unissued Polish M-44 that I own (which the Polish designated as the model "KbKs Wz 48").

I have some other unissued military rifles, both as unissued since arsenal refurbished and as new unissued, but this specimen may be my nicest. I feel that way about it not only because of it's highly minty condition, but also because of it's craftsmanship (the Poles probably made the finest M-44 version of them all).

Anyhow, here are some links showing photos of this rifle:


Photo link showing entire rifle:
http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/7220/dscn07628lv.jpg

Mid section of rifle:
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/5020/dscn07599dy.jpg

Top barrel markings & rear sight area:
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/1167/dscn07617aw.jpg

http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/8333/dscn07632cx.jpg

Magazine & trigger guard area:
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/8006/dscn07652nn.jpg

Muzzle area of the gun:
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/3817/dscn07718yi.jpg

Shot of buttstock area:
http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/4862/dscn07646fv.jpg
 
Nice rifle, unusual M44. Hope you have another one to shoot. :D

"Milsurpitis" is another weapons-related affliction common here... a bunch of us have it.



2 shooters, 2 beaters.

Mike
 
Absolutly beautiful, JJ.

Where are these like new mosin's coming from? As in available to buy?
 
Thanks Steve :)

Actually, this Polish M-44 was purchased a while back, maybe seven years ago?

I own a 1945 Russian M-44 that is also very nice, but it's considered an "arsenal refurbished" model. These are oftentimes referred to as "unissued", but that is a partial truth (common selling propaganda). What it actually means is that the gun was sent back to an Arsenal for a overhauling and refinishing job at some point in it's life. Though it may not have been issued after being refurbished, it was issued and used before the refurbishing was done to it.

That is not the case at all with this Polish M-44, and is why when I saw this "truly" new unissued Polish M-44 gun, I jumped on it! :)
This Polish M-44 is not a refurbished model at all, but rather an actual as new never issued rifle. It was not issued to any soldier after being manufactured in 1953.
The metal, wood, markings, everything, is as one would have expected this rifle to be after it was produced and sent to it's destination.

Though for a short time there were some of these Polish M-44's in as new unissued condition being offered, I have yet to run accross one that is as pristine as this one is (lacking even most "minor" handling marks that one would expect to see in common unissued C&R guns).

The photos don't even do it full justice, that's how nice this specimen truly is. That's being totally serious, no exaggeration.

But,................ I paid dearly for it (by Mosin Nagant M-44 standards).

While my other M-44's were had at under $100 each, this one was quite a bit more. My cost............. $200 even.
I felt the condition demanded it, and I wanted it bad enough to pay the price (which I knew was considered high for a M-44).
But heck, I could pay that much (even more) for some of the modern made Ruger 10/22 rifles, and this thing is a true work of "old school" art compared to those ;)

No regrets, except that I did not pick up a few more in similar condition at the time.

PS,
Oh, forgot to mention, this M-44 has no importation markings. No "Inter-Ordnance" no "Century Arms" no "Aztec" no nothing! Don't know for sure if it just accidentally got missed, but I recall noticing that it was the only one from the few being offered to me at the time that was not marked. Even the dealer said that it was probably just accidentally missed, but that was great in my eyes! To a collector, the importation mark being left off by accident is a serious blessing. That mistake in itself only added extra value to the gun :)
 
No problem, buddy, and if you want to know what I feel is a good source today for nice M-44 specimens, check out "Inter Ordnance", which I feel has one of the most honest grading systems in the business (IMO) :)
They are an actual "importer", and if you have a C&R FFL, you can order direct. Or, you can just have a friendly dealer order one for you (as long as he does not financially beat you down in doing so).


With my talk of this Polish M-44, it makes me wonder what it would cost in todays day and age to manufacture this rifle to the same specs as it was done during the past mid century?

The Polish M-44 guns truly had a commercial quality appearance to them, with the metal work finish well surpassing that of today's average Remington 700 rifle. It's not like what one expects to see on "many" (but not all) military weapons (especially the oftentimes rougher weapons made during wartime).

I believe these Polish rifles were made at the Radom factory/Government Arsenal.
Hmmmmm............ a reproduction being made today with no plastic, aluminum, or any other non steel material, and only following the original blue prints. It simply being made using the same types of forged steels, wood, hot blueing, and milling and such (though CNC milling would have to replace the labor intensive old milling methods, or the guns would literally have to cost thousands!).

It would not surprise me at all to hear that it could cost anywhere from $700 to $1000 to purchase reproductions that were made to meet all the specifications of these originals. The repro's would forever be just that,.......... reproductions (not having that true historical aspect about it). No matter how well they could be made to compare to the originals, the originals would always be just that............. the originals ;)

Just another reason why these are such awesome bargains :)
 
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