I ran across this at the local gun store. Has anyone ever seen a bolt handle like this? I am assuming it is not but, is this a factory mosin pu sniper? Apologies for the bad pictures but it's all I have.

https://ibb.co/6Jp8WGZ

https://ibb.co/Bs9d6gs

Nope.  Not even close. Wrong year, bubba'd bolt, fake scope.  Likely a Century Arms import.

rssc:

Do you happen to recall whether there were any cartouches on the right side of the buttstock? If so, were those markings over-stamped with something that look like an asterisk?

*

The hooked safety is clearly incorrect but without seeing more photos, with emphasis on the turned down bolt handle and the serial number font, it’s simply not possible to assess whether the bolt is authentic or something that emerged from Bubba’s basement workshop. I must also disagree with netbrad’s conclusion that the scope is “fake” and that the year is “wrong.” The Russians produced huge numbers of PU snipers in 1944.

I suggest that you return to the shop and take more and better photos of all features and aspects of the rifle, mount, and scope. Without seeing those photos I don’t want to say more now except that this could be something special and I believe that the time and effort you expend in getting those images could be well warranted.

netbrad... PUs were made into 44 so it's incorrect saying wrong year.

As for the rest, for Izhevsk they numbered the barrel on the left side right above the wood line with the scope serial. It it's real, there would be a number that corresponds with the scope number. As for the scope, more pictures of the adjusting turrets will help us tell. Rounded screw heads point to real, flush screw heads are repro. Also, any photos of markings.

Always remember, with any milsurp, especially with snipers, always take as many pictures and as many angles as possible to assess whether real or fake or correct parts, etc.

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the comments. I went back today and got more and better pictures. Please let me know your thoughts as soon as possible. I need to make a decision soon! Again, I really appreciate all the help and good advice

https://ibb.co/CvPf8mY

https://ibb.co/txGJtgp

https://ibb.co/FD2jLyZ

https://ibb.co/pKkrqN9

https://ibb.co/y5mGj5x

https://ibb.co/f1RQcJQ

https://ibb.co/W5GTD1L

https://ibb.co/zRRv78h

https://ibb.co/TwKy2c1

https://ibb.co/2sHjjHX

https://ibb.co/nRDzTdr

I really wish I would've looked closer at the stock when I was there today. I didn't notice an asterisk on it but wasn't looking super close at that.

It has Izhevsk 's "Circle C" sniper grade barrel proof and the serial number's letter prefix belongs to a known block of PU sniper rifles made by Izhevsk in 1944. It's either a legit PU sniper rifle or an "Ex-Sniper" that someone reinstalled an original PU scope and mount on, can't tell from the pictures. The wood finish on the stock looks wrong although that could be just age since I've seen others like it. Any import marks on it OP? And if so where are they stamped.

Thanks for the info. I looked on the receiver and by the muzzle. I did not see any import mark on the gun.

I there a serial number on the left side of the receiver that is supposed to match the rifle scope? The only marking I saw on the rifle scope is pictured. I didn't see a matching number.

That number is the serial # of the scope originally mounted to the rifle. Depending on where that rifle has been it could have lost the original scope due to damage or post war refurbishment. It could also be an "Ex-Sniper", the Soviets converted many PU sniper rifles back into regular infantry rifles after WW2. Because they still have the scope mount holes many have been " re-snipered" by their current owners by drilling out the welded over holes and remounting either an original scope and mount or a modern reproduction set. Do you happen to have some pictures of the complete rifle?

I would go with refurbed PU and slightly modified.

It is a rifle with proper PU marks. That is a proper PU scope, right down to the 1 intersecting the slash. The base for the mount looks original, blue matches, cosmoline in the corners, and cosmoline in the wood grain around the cut out.

The mount it self looks off though.
The remains of an Izzy mark and a referb mark on the mount point to it being a factory mount, but it is way too clean and the wrong blue for the era. So either it got polished and re-blued up by the previous owner or in refurbishment.  That retainer screw is from a Tula not an Izzy easy to tell from the wonky chamfers. The shape of the cut out for the mount is not quite right, they are normally more square but that is not uncommon on post war referb stocks.

That cocking knob has been replaced/modified though. It makes it much easier to use the safety but boy are they ugly.