Mosin Nagant With Red Paint On Numbers

[TommyP]

I recently picked up a Mosin Nagant at Gander Mountain that has red paint highlighting the numbers on the rear sight, the year of manufacture, and model number (see attachment).

One of the guys behind the gun counter told me that the red letters mean that it was used as a trainer rifle, and a different one told me that it means that it was issued to the Red Guard units. I'm doubtful that it was a trainer due to the bore being in good shape, and can't find any info that would relate this gun to the Red Guards.

Either way, I thought it was neat as heck and brought it home.

I've spent a good amount of time on Mr Google and 7.62x54r.net, and neither has given me a firm answer on what this means. Does anybody know?

 

[MikeG]

Not much is known, but the red/orange filled lettering is usually accompanied by a 25 in triangle proof. Yours is under the Izhevsk crest.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?113260-triangle-25-red-orange-paint-survey

Another dealer started rumor about the paint is that it was a cyanide compound for suicide missions. If in danger of capture the soldier would lick his rifle. The dealer most likely wasn't serious.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2937200/posts

 

[TommyP]

Thanks for the info Mike! Going to keep digging, but I'm afraid that this one may be an unsolved mystery.

 

[tahunua001]

guys from gander mountain are notorious for speaking out of the wrong end if you catch my meaning.

from what I can tell it has nothing to do with who used it or what purpose. it has to do with what importers couldn't read the serial numbers so they used red or white paint to make them stand out more....

 

[hammie]

@tahunua: The simple answers are often correct. LOL.

 

[iraiam]

I have a Tula 91/30 that has white paint in the Serial Number, I don't think it means anything. It does make it easier to read though.