I just received a Mosin 91/30 rifle and there's something odd about the serial number.

On the receiver, bolt & floor plate there is a 3 digit number stamped, all matching. I would assume its the original serial number.
Then on the side Aztec lazer-etched a new serial number along with the caliber and their address info.

Why would they do that when there is obviously already an original serial number visible?


Gun is in excellent condition otherwise. Metal finish is 98% or better and wood looks great for a WWII relic. Shame they slopped so much laquer on it. Barrel looks great.

Maybe the original serial was too short to meet BATF import regulations?  I think both the foreign-made guns I've bought have been stamped with the importer's name.  (EAA Witness, CZ-52)

Another reason for this is if there are any Crylic characters that don't translate directly to English the importer will usually re-serialize the weapon.

I'm not sure why they'd stamp or etch a DIFFERENT serial number on the receiver.

I have noticed that many Mosin-Nagant rifles were originally serial numbered on the barrel just ahead of the receiver ring instead of on the receiver itself. That was OK for the kindly Czars and relaxed Soviets, but our brutal regime here demands marking the receiver itself. I have seen the receivers hand stamped with the original number off the barrel, and on one of mine they apparently didn't look too close and thought an 8 was a 3.

Perhaps to streamline their operation the importer gave up checking the receivers for numbers and trying to read the old numbers and just started marking every receiver with a new number whether it needed it or not.

I have noticed that many Mosin-Nagant rifles were originally serial numbered on the barrel just ahead of the receiver ring instead of on the receiver itself.

That's it. I just checked and sure enough the serial numbers are only on the barrel not the receiver so they were etched into the receiver.
I actually got 5 rifles & 3 of them were numbered on the barrel & receiver and they are ok. But, 2 of the rifles were only numbered on the barrel so they were renumbered.

Still don't believe they used new numbers though.


Thanks for the help.