spotting rifle?
 

This appears to be a spotting rifle built on a Moisin-Nagant action.

Attachment 90825 Attachment 90826 Attachment 90827 Attachment 90828

The recoil mechanism is obviously factory-made, but the rifle itself looks like it was adapted from a standard infantry rifle taken out of service, rather than factory-fitted. The lanyard ring that replaces the trigger is welded on with little attention to finish. The magazine well is plugged by a well-fitted steel plate held in place by 3 rather crude tack-welds. The barrel near the muzzle shows a shiny spot where a front sight has apparently been removed.

I haven't removed the recoil mechanism to look for hidden markings, but the only markings visible are 3 Cyrillc letters and a tiny crest I can barely see, let alone identify. There is no date, no serial number, and no SA marking.

Does anybody know what gun it might have fitted? Maybe it's better if I don't find out. I might be tempted to buy the gun to go with it.

Or maybe it's not a spotting rifle at all. Can anyone think of what else it might have been used for?

Not neccesarily for spotting, it may be a matter of economy and convenience.

There were similar setups on various artillery pieces for smaller range training. There is an attachment to put a Bren on the 25 pounders, so you only needed a regular range to do your drills rather than a 20 mile plot of land.

I think there was also a system to attach a Ross to the Boyes rifle for cheaper range training as well.

Whatever yours attached to, it was solid, hence the recoil system built into the mount.

Now that you have the rifle, you must buy the next higher assembly. After all, go big or go home.

Unfortunately, I don't have any Russian artillery. I suppose I could mount it on the 17-pounder, but it wouldn't look right.

What threads are on the two nuts holding the two halves of the mount together? If UNC or UNF, then perhaps the mount is something built here.

Ed, can you contact me by either private message or email through here? I have some additional questions but not related and don't want this thread to drift.

Thanks

Rob: good idea. I'll check the threads when I get a chance. Probably not until next week.

Robin: pm sent.

I checked the threads, then forgot to post the result. The thread is metric. It looks like 8 x1.25. So the assembly is probably European, though not necessarily Russian.

So with that information you have to use the patina of the mount to judge it. We have been using metric here in Canada for the last 40 years, but it is still the second choice when it comes to using benchstock hardware. After all, how many hardware outlets stock UNC in bulk, but charge you by the "each" for metric.

You are likely right about it being from Europe or Comm block I suspect.