These are a pair of Bulgarian Steyr M95/34's which were initially Austrian in WWI, and later sold to Bulgaria in the 1930's. I postulate that there are two different types of Bulgarian refurbished rifles, a pre-WWII group, and a post-WWII group. Both types are currently being imported from Bulgaria, and different importers are importing both types. I believe the two above were refurbished after WWII.
There are a few traits which point to refurbishment after WWII. First is the immaculate condition all of these rifles exhibit, showing no usage. Second is some rifles bear Hungarian Steyr 31M parts. The darker rifle above bears a distinctive 31M buttplate; some rifles have 31M "H"-marked chambers, versus the usual "S" mark. These parts likely came from 31M's Bulgaria received after WWII, and not before, when Hungary needed them. Third is that these rifles bear resemblance and stamps with Mosin-Nagant M91/59's. The buttstock comb stamps above are found on some M91/59's. A sanded and shellacked wood finish, dark metal bluing, and cut-down-rifle status of M91/59's mirror M95/34's; the Mosins were converted in 1959.
The pre-WWII refurbished rifles, like mine from the Bulgarian Partisans, also show similarities. First, there are a number of rifles with extensive wear, which would likely be from WWII, and not the Cold War as a reserve weapon. Second, there are a number of rifles with graffiti, which is dated to usage in WWII. Third, the pre-WWII refurbs look different from the later refurbs - they have an un-sanded and oiled stock finish, and grey metal bluing.
There are a few traits which point to refurbishment after WWII. First is the immaculate condition all of these rifles exhibit, showing no usage. Second is some rifles bear Hungarian Steyr 31M parts. The darker rifle above bears a distinctive 31M buttplate; some rifles have 31M "H"-marked chambers, versus the usual "S" mark. These parts likely came from 31M's Bulgaria received after WWII, and not before, when Hungary needed them. Third is that these rifles bear resemblance and stamps with Mosin-Nagant M91/59's. The buttstock comb stamps above are found on some M91/59's. A sanded and shellacked wood finish, dark metal bluing, and cut-down-rifle status of M91/59's mirror M95/34's; the Mosins were converted in 1959.
The pre-WWII refurbished rifles, like mine from the Bulgarian Partisans, also show similarities. First, there are a number of rifles with extensive wear, which would likely be from WWII, and not the Cold War as a reserve weapon. Second, there are a number of rifles with graffiti, which is dated to usage in WWII. Third, the pre-WWII refurbs look different from the later refurbs - they have an un-sanded and oiled stock finish, and grey metal bluing.