I think this original 1942 Izhevsk 91/30, to date the only one I've seen, might actually give the worst bnz45 a run for its money in the crude department. At lot of corner cutting, and absolutely terrible quality all around. Chatter everywhere! This rifle is unissued with a mint bore and all its original parts with all original finish (except perhaps the stock). While there are a few minor condition issues, the metal isn't worn. The dip blue is just terrible, very thin with splotchy color and even nonexistent in places. Fit of most of the parts is poor. Stock fitting is sloppy, magazine housing is poorly assembled and rattles, bands don't fit well, etc. 1942 was to the Soviets what 1945 was to the Germans, and it definitely shows.
Inspector's initials on the stock 'ОГ' are the same as seen on almost all original 43 rifles, so I suspect this is late 42 piece. Additionally it appears they were transitioning from one commander/inspector to another as the (soon eliminated) barrel inspection 'АП' doesn't match as they usually do. I suspect these rifles left the factory unfinished, and the shellac was probably not added until much later, probably in the 1960s. I have some period photos of late 42 SVT that seem to support this idea. Where the thin, cheap shellac has chipped off, you can see the unfinished arctic birch underneath.
Best part: no import markings!
Inspector's initials on the stock 'ОГ' are the same as seen on almost all original 43 rifles, so I suspect this is late 42 piece. Additionally it appears they were transitioning from one commander/inspector to another as the (soon eliminated) barrel inspection 'АП' doesn't match as they usually do. I suspect these rifles left the factory unfinished, and the shellac was probably not added until much later, probably in the 1960s. I have some period photos of late 42 SVT that seem to support this idea. Where the thin, cheap shellac has chipped off, you can see the unfinished arctic birch underneath.
Best part: no import markings!
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Rifle Right.JPG212.5 KB · Views: 116
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Rifle Left.JPG241.2 KB · Views: 91
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Receiver Top.jpg102.9 KB · Views: 138
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Bolt.jpg124.4 KB · Views: 117
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Bolt Top 2.jpg278 KB · Views: 101
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Mag right.jpg131.5 KB · Views: 79
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Mag Bottom.jpg86.2 KB · Views: 89
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Receiver REar Riight.jpg86.2 KB · Views: 89
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REceiver REar Left.jpg97.3 KB · Views: 68
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Receiver Front Left.jpg102.8 KB · Views: 78
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Receiver Tang.jpg76.2 KB · Views: 70
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Sight Left.jpg121.2 KB · Views: 62
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Sight Right.jpg114.8 KB · Views: 59
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Stock RIght.jpg97.7 KB · Views: 78
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Stock ACceptance.jpg198.8 KB · Views: 110
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Buttplate.jpg87.2 KB · Views: 83
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Front Sight Right.jpg98.1 KB · Views: 81
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Front Sight Left.jpg119 KB · Views: 71