Richard Simmons
Member
Anyone on else a fan of Finnish Mosins? Let me state here and now I am a slacker when it comes to photos and finding a replacement for Photobucket so I apologize in advance for the photos I won't be posting.
Anyway, a lot of folks own and enjoy Mosin Nagant rifles and carbines but not everyone knows about the history of and or how to identify the ones that are unique to Finland. In a nutshell Finland never made a Mosin Nagant. They either purchased or captured them and then modified them slightly or a great deal into their own models/variations.
Over the years I've owned many Mosins from various countries but as far as the Finns go I've had the following models, often multiplies and more than one maker, i.e.., Sako, VKT, etc.
M91
M91/24
M27 (My favorite variation).
M39
M91/30
The M91/24 was probably the rarest one I had. Picked it up for just under $100 marked as "Russian rifle". I had three of the Model 27's. Two were virtually unissued. All three had the Popsicle sticks. Just loved the looks of that model and all were good shooters. Made money on every one but wish I'd have kept at least one.
Only had one M39 a 41 VKT, (going off memory on the year so might be off a year or two) which I still have. Got it from the old Burns Brothers up in NY as I recall for $60 listed as excellent condition. It was and is every bit of excellent and shoots better than I can.
Still have two 91/30's. One is an unissued hex receiver with a very attractive potbelly stock. Still has the hang tag on it. I believe the Finns rearsenaled these in the 50's and a bunch like mine were put away until sold off on the open market. My other 91/30 is a winter war capture with the 41 stamp. It looks every bit like it has been there done that. The least attractive Finn I've ever had but it would be the last firearm I'd ever sell.
That's pretty much all I have now days. I still run across some from time to time usually misidentified as a "Russian" this or that. There are a few identifiers that can clue you with just a glance if it's a Finn. Brush up on those and it's a lot easier to spot these gems.
Anyone else a "Finn Fan"?
Anyway, a lot of folks own and enjoy Mosin Nagant rifles and carbines but not everyone knows about the history of and or how to identify the ones that are unique to Finland. In a nutshell Finland never made a Mosin Nagant. They either purchased or captured them and then modified them slightly or a great deal into their own models/variations.
Over the years I've owned many Mosins from various countries but as far as the Finns go I've had the following models, often multiplies and more than one maker, i.e.., Sako, VKT, etc.
M91
M91/24
M27 (My favorite variation).
M39
M91/30
The M91/24 was probably the rarest one I had. Picked it up for just under $100 marked as "Russian rifle". I had three of the Model 27's. Two were virtually unissued. All three had the Popsicle sticks. Just loved the looks of that model and all were good shooters. Made money on every one but wish I'd have kept at least one.
Only had one M39 a 41 VKT, (going off memory on the year so might be off a year or two) which I still have. Got it from the old Burns Brothers up in NY as I recall for $60 listed as excellent condition. It was and is every bit of excellent and shoots better than I can.
Still have two 91/30's. One is an unissued hex receiver with a very attractive potbelly stock. Still has the hang tag on it. I believe the Finns rearsenaled these in the 50's and a bunch like mine were put away until sold off on the open market. My other 91/30 is a winter war capture with the 41 stamp. It looks every bit like it has been there done that. The least attractive Finn I've ever had but it would be the last firearm I'd ever sell.
That's pretty much all I have now days. I still run across some from time to time usually misidentified as a "Russian" this or that. There are a few identifiers that can clue you with just a glance if it's a Finn. Brush up on those and it's a lot easier to spot these gems.
Anyone else a "Finn Fan"?
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