Mosin-Nagant Dot Net:

The Sniper Rifles

Of The Red Star

From Vic Thomas

10.26.2002

Right hand perspective view of the Finnish wartime m/39 SOV sniper.

This gun is dated 1943. and utilizes an early PE focus adjustable scope.

Very early production of the PU scope. Note the brass lens fittings as in the earlier PE version and the windage and elevation turret is a square block type like the earlier PE as well. The tube is constructed of a light weight material, possibly aluminum and painted with a black enamel type finish. This scope is extremely rare and rarely encountered if at all.

A later version of the early PU scope. This scope does not utilize the earlier brass lens fittings but is still painted with a black enamel finish.

A close up of the early PU scopes windage and elevation turrets and PE style housing.

Full left rear perspective of a first year 1942 m/91-30 PU sniper with initial production scope mounted.

m/91-30 PU sniper made in 1942 and captured by Finnish forces in the Continuation War. It is reported that less than 100 were captured and reported to Divisional HQ. Unofficial numbers could be slightly higher as reported by Finnish veterans.

The m/91-30 PU sniper rifles base attached to the left side of the high wall receiver. Note the locking screws to prevent the mounting screws from loosening, and the forward and rear pins used in placement.

Close up of the m/91-30 PU mount and scope as fitted the rifle.

The series of sniper rifles utilized by the Red Army during WW2. From top to bottom: Hex receiver PE, round receiver PEM, side rail PEM, SVT40, and the finally the PU.

PU model scope covers. These 12 versions represent the major color variances and country origins. Top row left to right: Soviet post war-Soviet wartime-DDR-Soviet wartime with leather end caps. Second row left to right: Early Soviet wartime tie version-Early Soviet tie version-Polish post war-Hungarian post war. Third row left to right: Soviet wartime-Soviet wartime designed to attach around magazine box-Unknown, possibly DDR-Soviet wartime designed for attachment around trigger guard.

SVT sniper in left rear perspective showing the mounting of the SVT scope and mount.

SVT scope covers with the scope and mount rolled up and fastened inside for carrying dismounted from the rifle. Two styles are shown on the left. On the right is the cover empty to show its size and shape. The cover on the bottom left is the same as the unpacked version.

The laminated sniper fitted with a breech cover designed to be attached around the trigger guard.

Left side rear perspective view of a 1944 m/91-30 PU sniper showing the mounting arrangement.

Soviet m/91-30 PU sniper as removed from long term storage. Note the desiccant paper inside the caps to prevent fogging/moisture in the lens’ and oil paper and cosomline on the turrets to prevent the windage and elevation turrets from corroding. The mount is electro penciled with the scopes serial number and the guns serial number to prevent them from being mismatched as each set is mated together and not meant to be separated.

Three major variations of the PU scope/breech cover in an end view.

Locking screw for the PU mount. This is a stamped and welded version found on the first year 1942 produced gun with an early style scope.

Later war production of a machined and knurled scope mount retention screw. Also the rough elevation adjustment screws can be seen in this picture as well.

Tula 1943 made m/91-30 PU sniper in a laminated stock. This is the first year of Tula’s resumption of manufacturing sniper rifles. Note the CH markings denoting "sniper" above the Tula star.

A Tula produced m/91-30 PU sniper made in 1943. Note the scope is also dated 1943. The Tula marking for sniper (cn) is clearly evident above the arsenal marking of the five pointed star.

Right side perspective of a rare laminated stocked Tula m/91-30 PU sniper rifle.

This gun is dated 1943 and is fitted with an all leather sling.

Left side rear perspective view of a 1944 m/91-30 PU sniper showing the mounting arrangement

m/91-30 PU sniper in bolt side full view.

m/91-30 PU bolt side view of mount and scope arraignment. The gun is a 1944 Ishvesk made weapon.

Marking found just above the wood line on PU style snipers. It is not known what this number identifies. It is ventured that is may be the scope number but some have been observed as low as 54 and as high as 1657345. It is unlikely that over 1 million PU style scopes were fitted to the 91-30 rifle. This number appears sporadically on both Tula and Ishvesk made snipers.

Rear view of the PU sniper showing the mount and

over the bore placement of the scope with style mount

In the recent imports some 91/30 PU rifles have been observed marked in such a manner that indicates use in later service with the Soviet government post war. These rifles like the one pictured are marked with the original date and a slash following with a reissue date i.e.: 1944/51. This date is often proceeded with a MO marking, i.e.: 1944/51 MO. This marking arraignment indicates use by the Soviet Ministry of Defense in an internal security type role. This rifle is dated 1933 and must have been converted to a sniper post war.

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