I used to research quite extensively with all the milsurp stuff. That way when I was out and about at gunshows, pawnshops, swap meets, buy/sale/trade forums etc......... I knew what I'd be looking at. I've been told a ton of shit over the years by different sellers. Those in the know can politely say thanks but no thanks and move along to the next guy. Those that buy it hook line and sinker later regret it when they realize they bought a story instead of a rifle and paid way too damn much. Especially with these old milsurps you get the great or grand dad smuggled this back from the war etc............. stories. Buy the firearm, not the story and pay accordingly.
If the gun itself could talk, boy those stories would be interesting. I had a nice Finn capture Mosin once that had dried blood on the stock. Clearly imbedding in the stock were three teeth marks where someone took a shot with the rifle butt to the mouth. The finish over all looked like hell on the stock and the metal. That gun had been through hell and was clearly a battlefield pickup. The bore was good though and that mofo was a real shooter. Either the Finns or a previous owner since it came stateside had done something to the trigger. Damn it was a smooth pull. Its one of the ones I'll always regret letting go. Ugliest one of the bunch. The seller couldn't understand why I would pick that one out of all the other nicer looking arsenal refurbs he had available out of that crate. When I eyeballed the SA Finnish army mark I knew it was worth the gamble. Ah the memories.