МЦ-55 Zenit rifle by Yevgeny Dragunov

[PMB27]

Not a sniper rifle, but definitely vintage ( late 50s ) for Olympic competition 300m – I’m looking for information about this weapon.

I came across an advertisement of sale of such a rifle and started to browse the internet. Unfortunately, there is very little information about it. It was developed in 1955 by a team with the participation of Yevgeny Dragunov ( later the creator of the SVD rifle ).

Only 10 “Zenit” rifles were supposed to be produced for the leading sports shooters of the USSR, in the first period of manufacture ( 1956 – 1961 ).
Based on experience from use in the years 1963-73, 110 rifles were produced, but already in the improved version "Zenit-3".

The rifle that is advertised for sale does not have an original stock butt plate, a diopter sight and original Soviet documents are missing and it also has a modern Picatinny rail mounted on the receiver. It looks like it has only flaws.

So why did I get interested in it? Because it has the name "Zenit" engraved on the receiver - without an additional number and the year of production 1957. It would seem that this is a rifle from the first series of only 10 produced. But it also has serial number No. 66 and the theory that it is one of those first ten can unfortunately be questioned. There is a problem with the Soviet numbering system of sports weapons. I already have a Typhoon-3 rifle, of which only 130 were supposed to be produced and mine has serial number M247 and I have also seen a rifle with the number P1321.

So this Zenit with the number "66" may be one of the first 10 rifles produced in this version and the numbering does not reflect the scale of production but there is no evidence for this.

That's why I'm asking if anyone on the forum knows anything more about Zenit rifles?

 

[PMB27]

My "Zenit" has just arrived. The rifle came "naked" - without a diopter, stock pad, accessories, papers and history
With a Picatinny rail added to the receiver to desecrate the design vision of E. Dragunov, who designed this Zenit in 1955. Poor guy
Despite his shortcomings he is very welcome. I'm happy I got it.
Since the procedure of getting him out took a while, in the meantime I managed to collect something for him - of course the numbering of these collected accessories is non matching - incomplete parts, some had to be made. I will still have to find a lot for him, but he doesn't look so poor anymore

at the top as he arrived - below a little dressed

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Nicely done!!!

Cheers!

 

[PMB27]

For now, Zenit is going through a toilet - unfortunately, 68 years of existence and poor cleaning is clearly visible in the barrel. If only there was carbon underneath it there are strong dulling and unfortunately pitting - they were to be expected but I secretly hoped that the previous owners had taken better care of such a rifle.
It's not good but oh well - that's the charm of a veteran. Despite these shortcomings, it will be loved

From the top - right after arrival, in the middle - after initial cleaning, at the bottom - after deep cleaning

The barrel crown probably gives some optimism - a very rough test but it seems it didn't come out too bad. Even the .308 bullets - Lapua Scenar-L 175 gr and Hornady ELD-M 178 gr don't look bad.