ROMANIA

Romania (formerly the Socialist Republic of Romania), a country in southeast Europe, has an area of 91,699 sq. mi. (237,500 sq. km.) and a population of 23.2 million. Capital: Bucharest. Machinery, foodstuffs, raw minerals and petroleum products are exported. Heavy industry and oil have become increasingly important to the economy since 1959.

A new constitution was adopted in 1923. During this period in history, the Romanian government struggled with domestic problems, agrarian reform and economic reconstruction.

On August 23, 1944, King Mihai I proclaimed an armistice with the Allied Forces. The Romanian army drove out the Germans and Hungarians in northern Transylvania, but the country was subsequently occupied by the Soviet army. That monarchy was abolished on December 30, 1947, and Romania became a ”People’s Republic” based on the Soviet regime. The process of sovietization included Soviet regime. The anti-Communist combative resistance movement developed frequent purges of dissidents: mainly political but also clerical, cultural and peasants. Romanian elite disappeared into the concentration camps. The anti-Communist combative resistance movement developed in spite of the Soviet army presence until 1956. The partisans remained in the mountains until 1964. With the accession of N. Ceausescu to power, Romania began to exercise a considerable degree of independence, refusing to participate in the invasion of Czechoslovakia (August 1968). In 1965, it was proclaimed a ”Socialist Republic”. After 1977, an oppressed and impoverished domestic scene worsened.

On December 17, 1989, an anti-Communist revolt in Timisoara. On December 22, 1989 the Communist government was overthrown. Ceausescu and his wife were arrested and later executed. The new government established a republic, the constitutional name being Romania.

HANDGUNS

Steyr Hahn Model 1911

Chambered for the 9mm Steyr cartridge, this pistol was made by Steyr for the Romanian military in 1913 and 1914, as well as other military forces. This particular model is marked with Romanian crest over 1912 on left of slide. Some of these pistols were used by Romanian military during WWII.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	575	350	250

Beretta Model 1934 Romanian Contract

This model is identical to the Beretta Model 1934 except the slide is marked “9mm Scurt” instead of “9mm Corto.” Built for the Romanian military in 1941 with an estimate of approximately 20,000 manufactured in Italy. Some were imported in the late 1990s and have the Century Arms billboard import stamp. Deduct 25 percent for import marked guns.

Courtesy Orvel Reichert

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
550	400	300	225

Model 74

A Romanian copy of the Walther PP chambered for the 7.65mm (.32 ACP) cartridge. This pistol has an aluminum frame and is similar to the FEG Hungarian R61 with the exception of a heel-type magazine release.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
250	175	150	100

Soviet TT33 Tokarev

A Romanian made copy of the Soviet TT-33. 7.62×25mm No safety.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
850	700	600	300

Romanian TT-33, recent import with added safety and import markings

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
350	300	250	N/A

SUBMACHINE GUNS

Before 1939 Romania acquired Beretta 9mm Model 1938A submachine guns. After 1939 the Romanian armed forces used the Beretta 38/42 in 9mm Parabellum. Then after the war Romania adopted the Czech VZ24 and VZ26 guns.

Orita M 1941

This gun was manufactured in Romania at Cugir Arsenal. It is similar to the MP 41 but uses magazines that are similar in appearance to the German model but are not interchangeable with it. Fitted with a one-piece wooden stock. Chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. Semiautomatic or full auto fire. The rear leaf and ramp sight is quite large and located well forward on the barrel. Barrel length is 11.25 inches. Magazine capacity is 25 rounds. The gun has a cycle rate of about 600 rounds per minute. Weight is approximately 7.75 lbs.

RIFLES

PEABODY

Romanian Rifle (1867-1868)

Chambered for the .45 Romanian centerfire cartridge and fitted with a 32.25-inch barrel. Blued barrel with casehardened furniture. Full stock with two barrel bands. Oiled wooden stocks. A total of 25,000 rifles were made in serial range 21,000 to 52,000.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
—	1500	1000	500

PEABODY-MARTINI

Witten, Germany

Model 1879 Peabody-Martini Rifle

Made in Germany and based on the Turkish Model 1874 rifle. Chambered for the 11.43×60R Peabody-Martini cartridge. Fitted with a 33.25-inch barrel. Full stocked with two barrel bands. Weight is about 9.5 lbs.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
—	850	500	300

MANNLICHER

Model 1892

Introduced in 1892 and built by Steyr, this turn bolt rifle is chambered for the 6.5×53Rmm cartridge. This model is full stocked with straight grip and half-length handguard. Fitted with a cleaning rod and bayonet fittings. Barrel length is 28.5-inch. Leaf rear sight. Clip loaded magazine has a 5-round capacity. Weight is about 9 lbs. Marked “OE” over “W.G.” on receiver ring and “MD. 1892” on left side of receiver.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	500	300	175

Model 1893

This is an improved version of the Model 1892 with stacking hook added and bolt modifications to prevent faulty assembly. Other specifications are the same as the Model 1892.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	450	300	175

Model 1893 Carbine

This is a short version of the Model 1893 rifle with 17.7" barrel. No handguard and no bayonet fittings. Weight is approximately 7.25 lbs.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
850	650	450	250

MAUSER

VZ24 Short Rifle

This model is a copy of the Czech VZ24 Short Rifle. The only difference is the Romanian crest on the receiver ring.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
850	650	450	200

STATE FACTORIES

Romanian Mosin-Nagant M1944

These rifles are marked on the receiver with a small arrowhead in a triangle below a wreath with the letters “RPR.” Romanian stocks are marked with a “C” in a diamond. These rifles were produced in the 1950s. Many have been imported to the U.S.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
350	250	200	75

PSL Sniper Rifle (misnamed FPK)

This model is chambered for the 7.62×54Rmm cartridge and fitted with a modified AKM-type receiver. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds. Buttstock is similar to the Soviet SVD but with a molded cheekpiece. The muzzle brake is of Romanian design. Equipped with a telescope sight. Weight is about 10.5 lbs. Currently imported.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
1000	850	750	N/A

SKS

A Romanian-manufactured version of the Russian rifle. Some were imported in the 1990s. Usually found in well-used condition.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
500	350	300	200

AK-47 (semi-automatic version)

Romanian copy of the Soviet AK-47. Recent importation. Scope rail on left side of receiver. Has a SVD type stock made from laminated wood. Several variations have been imported and others were built in the U.S. from imported parts.

Courtesy West Point Museum, Paul Goodwin photo

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	600	500	N/A

AKM

Copy of the Soviet AKM except for a noticeable curved-front vertical foregrip formed as part of the forend.

Pre-1968

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
8500	8000	7500

AKM-R

This is a compact version of the Soviet AKM with an 8-inch barrel and side-folding metal butt. Magazine capacity is 20 rounds. Chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Rate of fire is about 600 rounds per minute. Weight is approximately 7 lbs.

Pre-1968

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
25000	20000	17500

AK-74 (semi automatic)

Similar to the Soviet rifle in 5.45×39mm. Current importation. Scope rail on left side of receiver. Has a SVD type stock made from laminated wood. Also offered in 5.56mm/.223.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	600	500	N/A

MACHINE GUNS

The Romanians used Soviet-built RPDs, SGMs, PK, PKB, PKS, PHTs, and the Soviet-made DShK 38/46.

RPK (Romanian Manufacture)

Copy of Soviet RPK.

Romanian Schwarzlose converted to 7.62 caliber with larger waterjacket and metal belt • Courtesy Robert E. Naess

Exc.	V.G.	Fair
N/A	N/A	N/A