Old bolt rifles in Astan

Combat Diver

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First on top is a 1891 Mosin Nagant Dragoon Rifle recovered in Afghanistan. It was made by Izhevsk in 1922, just 3 years after the Bolsheviks took over (1919). Overall length 48.5", curved/stepped rear sight base. Caliber 7.62x54R. Stock is broken in several places hence clear green tape holding it together. Cocking piece is also broken, magazine spring broken, rear sight incomplete, buttplate busted, etc. Still can launch bullets however. Second rifle is a Remington P14 Enfield made in 1915-1916 for Britain which will be covered below.
IMG_5695.jpg IMG_5702.jpg IMG_5701.jpg IMG_5700 1922 Ishevsk Dragoon.jpg
 
Second rifle as stated is a P14 Enfield. Produced in the US for Britain who was busy with Lee SMLE production. Britain was going to adopted the P13 in .276 British in 1914 then WWI kicked off. They were short of rifles so they had Winchester produced some 235,000, Remington 400,000 and Eddystone some 600,000 for a total of 1,235,000 rifles between 1914-1915. Later during 1917 those same three manufactures rechambered the rifle to .30 US Govt Model of 1906 and was excepted into US service as the Rifle Model of 1917. This one still retains it volley sights which was given to Afghanistan between the World Wars. These were removed from British guns before WWII. Caliber is .303 British or 7.7x56R. Stock cartouche "IR/1914". Stock is from an earlier gun as Remington SN from end of production run 1915/16.
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CD
 
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Correction should be 7.7x56R, fat fingered it. The 7.7x58 semi rimmed and 7.7x58 rimless were Japanese service cartridges.

CD
 
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What happens to these old rifles?
 
Usually get destroyed. Going to try and sign for them and keep some good ones in the shop. (what's a weapons repair shop without weapons on the wall?) Right now military customs will only allow black powder guns to go home. Regs did state pre 1898 which did include some cartridge guns. I talked to ATF import branch back in Jun. and it seems the CFR been changed to now allow C&R guns to go back which these two qualify. I can import them on a ATF Form 6 using my 03 FFL. Just need the military to update their regs, but not holding my breath.

CD
 
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If those old rifles could talk....
 
Ya know, there are some valuable parts on such guns, like sights, bolts, what not. Even if you destroy the guns, can you ship the parts home?

I met a guy who did that from Astan early on in the conflict over there. He made a nice little business ebaying the parts when he got home. He brought home a lot of volley sight sets for Lee Enfields.
 
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