Romanian M53 Mosin-Nagant carbine — the Romanian-built M44-pattern carbine, domestically designated Model 1953 — manufactured at the Cugir arsenal in 1954 and chambered in 7.62×54R. This example has all numbers matching, a mirror bore with sharp rifling, and is mechanically excellent. It is in like-new condition and appears to be un-issued and unfired. It comes with a sling.
Unlike the millions of wartime Soviet M44s, the Romanian carbine was produced at Cugir only from 1953 to 1955, with total production estimated at just 68,000–71,000 across all three years — a fraction of Soviet output — which makes surviving examples genuinely scarce and increasingly collectible. An all-matching, like-new example that appears un-issued and unfired is especially desirable. These carbines are identified by the arrowed-delta (triangle) Cugir maker's mark and "RPR" (People's Republic of Romania) markings, with two-letter serial prefixes that restarted with each production lot.
Beyond their scarcity, these Romanian carbines are regarded by collectors as a cut above the generic wartime M44. Built to the Soviet standard in most respects but produced in peacetime rather than under wartime pressure, they feature a notably more refined trigger — roughly half the pull weight of a WWII-manufactured M44 trigger — along with more pronounced furniture inletting. The result is a scarce, well-finished Cold War carbine that appeals to both Mosin collectors and shooters, and a like-new, apparently unfired specimen like this represents the type at its very best.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Cugir Arsenal (Romania)
Country of origin: Romania (People's Republic of Romania)
Year: 1954
Model: M53 (Romanian M44-pattern carbine, Model 1953)
Action: Bolt action, integral folding bayonet
Caliber: 7.62×54R
Matching: All numbers matching
Condition: Like new; appears un-issued/unfired; mechanically excellent
Bore: Mirror
Rifling: Sharp
Markings: Arrowed-delta Cugir maker's mark; "RPR"
Included: Sling
