Originally manufactured in Austria in 1941, this rifle shows symptoms of Soviet capture and refurbishment; the tiny swastikas in the proof marks have been struck off, an "X" added to the receiver rings, mixed numbered and hand-renumbered replacement parts installed, and the locking screws in the trigger guard discarded. While the arrival of the Simonov carbine and the Kalashnikov family of rifles ended the role of the bolt-action infantry rifle in the Soviet Army, many were packed for long term storage; intended to be broken out in event of need, many were traded (openly or clandestinely) to other nations. Many of these weapons wound up in Southeast Asia, arming the Communist forces in the region. Included with the rifle are war trophy/export documentation from both the Republic of Vietnam and the United States Army identifying this rifle (S/N listed as "8836", having left out the suffix) has having been approved for a Major Carl Quickmire c.1970-1971, to be taken as a war trophy and shipped to Ithaca, New York by way of Tan Son Nhut Airbase in South Vietnam. Available information on Quickmire puts him as Troop Commander with the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry c.1966, a S-3 Major with the Headquarters Company of 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry in 1970, and retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Per his 2017 obituary, he was also a veteran of Korea and a winner of five Bronze Stars (2 for meritorious service, 3 for valor).

Rather good for a jungle-used weapon, with dull mixed arsenal refurbished blue finish, showing shallow pitting and minor wear. As noted, mixed and remarked parts were installed, either by the Soviets or the North Vietnamese, and the forearm wood has a spliced repair, along with a number of dents and scuffs. Mechanically very good.