A pre-Konovalov flat Lebel-style rear sighted M91 has been a grail for a good while. Never thought I'd own one because they tend to get way up there in price, and are quite rare as is, but the stars aligned, and this one found its way into my collection. I wasn't going to be picky if that moment ever came, but I'm extremely happy that this rifle came with a few extra early features, too. Namely the early style stock without sling escutcheons or a cross bolt. Having the extra pedigree and history of being captured during the Russo-Japanese War is a nice plus, too.

The stock is Tula and has all Tula hardware (regardless of being the correct style for 1898), so I suspect the stock is original to the rifle. The magazine is the only matching number part. The bolt is an early Izhevsk that matches itself.

I suspect the reblue is a Japanese refinish because it reminds me a lot of the high gloss blue on early Type 99 Long rifles. I have no way to confirm this, mind you, but I feel like it's a decent educated guess.

The tag tacked to the stock translates to "Military Classroom", and it once belonged to an arms technology department at Tokyo Imperial University.