BRAVO ZULU for the inputs! After viewing hours of vids, scanning dozens & dozens of pages, scoping out Gunbreaker and a couple of other auction sites... along with production numbers, countries of origin, hundreds of variants, 'opinions', values, collecting, shooting, right down to "sneaks", the "r" argument ('rimmed' or 'Russian'), bayonets that attach/won't attach, stock insignias, scrubbed stampings, mixed pieces and parts, "mystery" Mosins, slings (correct/incorrect)... and myriad other stuff too complex to list; I've sorta-kinda settled on the M44 carbine.
Now, its how to convince my other half that a third 40-rifle gun safe makes sense!