Mosin Nagant Serial Numbers

The Russian - Soviet Mosin Nagant Rifles/Carbines. General Production Information And Numbers. Brent Snodgrass. These numbers come from a number of sources.

The Mosin–Nagant series of rifles. Large numbers of Mosin–Nagants were captured by German and Austro-Hungarian forces and saw service with serial number.

Nagant production estimates. Here is a best guess at Nagant production numbers. This list has been compiled over years of collecting serial numbers as well as.

The Spanish Civil War Mosin Nagant Serial Number Database/Survey.

Typical M91/30 Mosin Nagant rifle. Barrel Of coarse the serial numbers and date will be different probably, but they will be Serial number 3.

Mosin Nagant Rifle Guide to Proofs and Markings Mosin Nagant Serial Numbers Pictures illustrating the various serial numbering patterns of different countries.

Matching A rifle with all four serialed parts

barrel, bolt, floorplate, and buttplate numbered the same. A matching rifle could

be all stamped matching or force matched.

All stamped matching A rifle on which all four

serialed parts have stamped as opposed to electropenciled numbers with alpha

Force matched A rifle that has had one or more parts

renumbered to match the barrel. Evident by the presence of a lined out number, signs that

a previous number has been ground off, electropenciled numbers, or numbers

without an alpha prefix when applicable.

Mis-matched A rifle with one or more of the three

secondary serialed parts bolt, floorplate, or buttplate numbered differently than the

Finn matched A Finnish built or marked rifle that

has had the bolt renumbered to match the barrel. Although buttplate and floorplate

numbers may or may not match it would still be considered Finn matched. A rifle with

a mis-matched number on the bolt body, but the last few digits of the barrel number on the

bolt knob would still be considered Finn matched.

Electropenciled A method of etching parts with a

serial number which was often used during refurbishment.

Alpha prefix The letters preceding the serial

numbers on Soviet and Eastern European Mosin Nagants. They represent a block of 9,999

rifles and were apparently assigned at random.

on Mosin Nagant rifles, like most European firearms, are on the barrel, rather than the

receiver as in the United States.

are found in three other locations on the majority of Mosin Nagants.

Cocking knobs were also numbered

on the earliest Russian production and Remington M91s. Numbered cocking knobs are uncommon

now and it is rare to find one that matches. They are most often encountered on rifles

built in Finland from salvaged parts.

Stocks are occasionally numbered.

from the Balkans seldom matching

Later Soviet production such as M38s, M44s, and M91/59s which

were probably numbered during refurbishment

Soviet replacement stocks in pencil in the barrel channel

Soviet postwar M44 stocks stamped under the buttplate

Late Chinese T53s instead of the buttplate

Bayonets are also numbered at the

Cleaning rods are not typically

numbered but here is a case where one is. It is not matched to the rifle and it is

possible that it is not a serial number, but represents something else.

Chatellerault prefixed the number

with an N which stands for number and is not a letter found in the

Cyrillic alphabet. It is technically not a part of the serial number although it is

usually included in the serial number by US importers and FFL holders for record keeping

purposes. Production started at serial number 1 and ran straight through to the end of the

Here is a renumbered bolt that has the N prefix

on it. Since the N was not part of the serial number it is usually not

found on the numbered parts other than the barrel. This was probably done in a

country other than Russia where the meaning of the N was not recognized.

prefix until 1928 when the barrel markings changed. Each year started over at serial

above the serial number when the barrel markings changed in 1928. This also stands for

N prefix or the No symbol. Each year started over at serial number

above the serial number, which means number just as the N. Each

year started over at serial number 1.

No. above the serial number, which means number just as the

N. Production started at serial number 1 and ran straight through to the end

Serial numbers repeated at the

Russian/Soviet arsenals and at Remington each year as seen on this rifle and the one

1932 Tula M91/30, serial number 94015.

1935 Tula M91/30, serial number 94015.

serial numbers. These are typically found on M91s from the Balkans and are thought to

have been added by other countries. They are not part of the original numbers.

which have been observed are G possibly Turkey.

F, most common of the letter suffixes

Receivers are sometimes numbered

but in most cases it was done by the importer. Russia, the Soviet Union, Eastern European

countries and China almost never numbered the receiver, including rifles produced in

France and the United States. An exception is the earliest Tula production as seen on this

Picture courtesy of Robert Jensen.

Sure signs that it is an importer number is the use of a

dot matrix type stamp, the use of Latin rather than Cyrillic letters on a

Soviet rifle, or the inclusion of other import information along with the number. See the Mosin Nagant Import Marks page for more information.

Receivers used by Finland were apparently numbered in some

cases. Because of the use of different sizes and fonts of stamps used by Finland and

importers it is difficult to be certain if a Finnish receiver number is original or not.

As with all Mosin Nagants, if it is a dot matrix type stamp it is not original.

Belgian Blindee 8mm conversions are an exception

where the serial number is placed on the receiver rather than the barrel. In these cases

the barrel was shortened from the rear for rechambering which removed the original serial

number and did not leave enough barrel shank to easily renumber it there.

Another exception is this 1931 Izhevsk Dragoon. The

reason for the number on the receiver rather than the barrel is not clear in this case and

came into use at Tula in 1937. These consist of two letters followed by a number of

four digits or less. The prefixes were apparently assigned at random and changed when

number 9,999 was reached. No known records of the order in which they were assigned

exist. Because of the random use of the Cyrillic characters it is impossible to know

whether a rifle was built early or late in that years production. Also, low

serial numbers have no significance because it is not known whether their block was first,

last, or somewhere  in the middle of the year. Occasionally a rifle is reported with

a single Cyrillic character, but in all cases it has been found that the second character

was a Cyrillic Z which looks like the number 3. Izhevsk began

for a list of Cyrillic characters.

The same Cyrillic characters were also stamped on the other

stamped above the alpha prefixes. These are translations of the Cyrillic characters

and were placed there by the importer Century to comply with BATF regulations. It

is now a common practice for importers to assign a new serial number to each rifle and the

translations are not required in that case.

Nagant Import Marks page for more information.

Restamped numbers on secondary

parts of refurbished rifles often don t have the alpha prefix.

another method of renumbering secondary parts during a refurbishment which was done

freehand rather than with a stamping die.

Struck through original serial

numbers are sometimes found on secondary parts with the new number added beside it.

Unconventional serial numbers are

Here is an uncommon case where the original serial number

on the barrel is struck out and a new one added. It is a Czech M91/38 cut down from

an M91. An interesting side note is the Serbian crown mark to the right of the

Izhevsk bow and arrow arsenal mark. The secondary parts are matched to

This 1897 Finnish marked Dragoon also has it s serial number

lined out and a new one added. The only other number on the rifle is on the bolt body and

it does not match either the original or new numbers on the barrel. Whether the

renumbering was done in Finland or not is a mystery.

This 1940 Tula M91/30 has the original serial number with the

Cyrillic prefix lined out and a new three digit number stamped above it. No other numbers

This M91 has the barrel serial number divided in two parts by

the Izhevsk arsenal mark. It also has the N prefix which is not usually

found on Izhevsk rifles. The barrel was probably renumbered in Romania when the date

was changed and the crest of King Ferdinand of Romania added. It is atypical.

This is an Izhevsk M91/30 that has the No symbol

before the serial number. It also has an unusual PM 86 mark whose meaning

is unknown and it s possible it is one of a special series that were numbered outside of

regular production. Another PM 86 M91/30 has been reported numbered 437.

This M1907 carbine has no serial number at all on the barrel

however the other parts are numbered. The buttplate and magazine floorplate match

each other and the Remington bolt retains the matching cocking knob, but is not the same

number as the floorplate/buttplate.

This 1939 Tula M91/30 has had the original serial number with

the Cyrillic prefix scrubbed and a new 6 digit number without a prefix stamped in it s

place. The remains of the original number are still partially visible below the new

This 1944 Tula M91/30 is MO marked and has a 4 digit serial

number without the Cyrillic prefix which was typically used at that time. It is

possible that they unique serial number is related to the MO mark, but that is only

speculation. There is no apparent evidence that another number was scrubbed or

This 1943 Tula M91/30 is an ex-PU sniper and similar to the

one above in that it has a 4 digit serial number without the Cyrillic prefix which was

typically used at that time. There is no apparent evidence that another number was

Later production Soviet rifles have numbers on the underside

of the barrel and receiver. These don t seem to match each other or the serial

number. They are repeated though with several cases of the same number appearing on

different rifles. It is assumed that these were used for inventory tracking during

production and are not serial numbers.

pattern by using an alpha prefix, but with Latin letters rather than Cyrillic

along with other differences. The first year of M44 production, 1951, used a single

letter for the prefix and a five digit number beginning with zero for lower

numbers. The numbering of secondary parts also followed the Soviet pattern and

included the bolt, floorplate, and buttplate. Electropenciled or restamped numbers

have not been documented on Polish parts but the sample is small.

In 1952 two characters were used for the prefix and the five

digit number, beginning with zero when required, was retained.

In 1955 the two character prefix was retained, but the

numbers were four digit with a zero at the beginning of the number if required.

to Karl-Heinz Wrobel for information on the changes in the Polish numbering system.

pattern of using a two character alpha prefix, but with Latin letters rather

than Cyrillic, followed by a four digit number. Numbers with less than four digits

haven t been observed but the sample is small and inconclusive. The numbering of

secondary parts also followed the Soviet pattern and included the bolt, floorplate, and

buttplate. Electropenciling has not been documented on Hungarian parts but the sample is

Restamped numbers, including the alpha prefix, are

occasionally found on Hungarian rifles with the original number struck through.

than Cyrillic, followed by a number of four digits or less. Single digit serial

numbers have been observed, but due to the random use of the prefixes these cannot be

considered low numbers other than within their prefix block. The

numbering of secondary parts also followed the Soviet pattern and included the bolt,

floorplate, and buttplate. Renumbering of secondary parts by Romania is apparently

uncommon with many rifles simply having mismatched parts with their original numbers left

in place. These parts are often from the Soviet Union, Poland, and Hungary so the

numbers may not follow the Romanian patter exactly. Electropenciling has not been

documented on Romanian parts and restamped numbers are seldom seen. In the few cases

documented the alpha prefixes were not included and the numbers did not match. The

parts could have come from the Soviet Union and not been restamped in Romania.

1953 and the first year serial numbers have an A prefix and are followed by

the Chinese character shi which means test or trials.

In at least some cases only the last digits of the full

serial number were stamped in the secondary locations.

With the second year of production 1954 China began to use

The full number was also stamped in the secondary locations.

During the last year of production 1960 China began to use

a letter prefix and 4 digit number.

The buttplate was no longer numbered in later production but

Albania made a limited number of

M91/30s and the few that have been documented all have a four digit serial number

beginning with zero. The numbering of secondary parts is typical and includes the

bolt, floorplate, and buttplate.

typically have letter prefixes or suffixes and can be from 2 digits to 6 digits in length,

some with a zero or zeros for the first digits.

Receivers used by Finland were

apparently numbered in some cases. Because of the use of different sizes and fonts of

stamps used by Finland and importers it is difficult to be certain if a Finnish receiver

number is original or not. As with all Mosin Nagants, if it is a dot matrix type

found in the typical locations of the bolt, magazine floorplate, and buttplate. However,

the manner of numbering them is different from the Russian/Soviet rifles and with the

exception of the bolt they are often mismatched. This is not considered detrimental

by most Finnish Mosin Nagant collectors.

Finland did not produce bolt bodies and all of

theirs are from purchased or captured rifles. Old serial numbers are often lined out

and new ones stamped beside them, often with only the last four digits. In some cases

several old numbers are present.

This bolt was scrubbed clean and the new number stamped on

This bolt was scrubbed clean and the last four digits of the

new number stamped on the knob. This is common on Finnish rifles.

This bolt was scrubbed clean and no new number stamped.

This bolt had several old numbers lined out and the last four

digits of the new number stamped on the knob.

This bolt had a new number stamped on the knob which was

later lined out and a new complete number stamped on the body.

This bolt had the complete serial number stamped on the body

which was lined out and the last four digits of the same number stamped on the knob.

In this case only three digits are stamped on the knob rather

Floorplates can be found in several configurations.

Old number left in place, common

Old number lined out, less common

Old number scrubbed and last four digits of the new number

Buttplates are often scrubbed, but occasionally have an old

number lined out. The last two digits of the serial number were sometimes stamped on

the rear of the plate but many of these are now mismatched.

This is an uncommon case where a bolt head is

Another uncommon case where an M39 nose cap is

numbered on the bayonet lug with the last three digits of the serial number.

M27 winged connector bars were numbered to match with the

Numbers are also found on the underside of the barrel and

receiver. These are not serial numbers but tracking numbers used during production

before the final serial number was assigned.

Finnish stocks are numbered in some cases, but these are not

the same as the rifle s serial number and should not be expected to match.

Finnish M28/30s and M39s have sight graduations on the side

of the rear sight base that are often mistaken for serial numbers by new Mosin Nagant

District numbers which have an S prefix. This lead to some confusion when

the Army took over all stocks of small arms during the Continuation War and it is not

unusual to find a Finnish rifle with more than one serial number. The extra numbers

are often struck out and sometimes the Civil Guard District number is used as the serial

This is an M24 with a two digit serial number of 11 which has been struck out.

The Civil Guard district number of S 862 then became the rifles serial number.

The bolt on the above rifle still has the 11 on the body, but

has the knob restamped with 862.

An M24 with the Civil Guard District number struck out and

the original serial number left intact.

An M24 with the serial number on the side of the barrel and a

Civil Guard District number on the receiver which is struck out.

The opposite side of the above rifle with another Civil Guard

District number on the barrel.

A lined out Civil Guard District number with a new District

number stamped above it. On the opposite side of the barrel is the original serial

number which is also lined out.

An M28 with the serial number lined out.

The same rifles bolt with the last two digits of the serial

number obliterated on the bolt number.

The Civil Guard District number on the opposite side of the

The Civil Guard District number complete with the S prefix

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1: Primary serial numbers on Mosin Nagant rifles, like most European firearms, are on the barrel, rather than the receiver as in the United States.

His izhevsk tc mosin nagant serial is on the policy. He is up, regarding her izhevsk tc mosin. Her references expect quite Now normal specifications.

The Finnish Mosin Nagant Rifle-Carbine. The production numbers on the chart come from a number of as well as research information on serial number ranges.