Showcase submission Finnish M91

[millman]

I received my first 3 Mosin Nagants as a gift. That fateful day I received 2 little short rifles and and 1 great long rifle. As it turned out I got an all matching T-53, a mixmaster T-53, and a Finnish M91. I was excited to say the least, but it didn't take long to run up against the wall info-wise on the M91. I could tell it was a Finnish M91, but it did not match any of the pics found in the usual locations. The only pic it resembled, was a rifle that was described as a relined M91, ala the P-series rifles, but with no P-XX mark. Over the years this rifle has raised some interesting comments and conjecture. All I can say with certainty, is that it is relined, it is Finnish, it is a M91, and it has the lowest serial # that I have personally run across. Some bigtime collectors have told me they thought it was an early P-series rifle, but others have said that that wasn't possible because it lacks the P-xx mark. I won't say one way or the other, because I have no good information.
I will let the pics speak for themselves. This rifle is just as I received it, which is the exact same condition it was in when it was originally bought in about 1991 or 92, with the exception of a handguard, that I put on it last year. Thanks for looking, and as always, I am open to any new info regarding this rifle.

[shmlnaaa]

I've always thought this was a pretty cool rifle. I didn't know it was one of your first! Heck of a way to start out.

I am in the camp of calling it a non P-2X marked P-series.

For comparison, here's a pic of the muzzle of my P-27. Note the different color to the two metals of the liner and the old barrel. This rifle is also counter bored.



And a pic of the step cut into the barrel:



These are common on P-series rifles I assume because they make it easier to remove and replace the barrel. Ironically, mine is a relined Chatellerault barrel, so it already had a step. The Finns cut a deeper step into it for some reason though.

[Three_Dogs]

Very Nice Luck you have to get Finns I am

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Rongo]

Oh yes!!! Awesome candidate to post.

[desdem12]

I love it. A very nice example of a who dun it.

[Jumperwire]

I always get all giddy when I see that rifle.

[dou44]

sweet

[Knuckledragger]

Great rifle!! I definitely love the P-series.
With a serial so low, you may have had a case where the armorers didn't have any instruction on what and where to stamp any identifying marks at the time. More than likely, we'll never know...but that's part of the allure for this rifle.

This would make a great (first, I think?) P-series addition to the Showcase.

[Steve The Pirate]

I really like those Izhevsk bow & arrow stampings. Cool Rifle.

[jeremyb]

[bunkysdad]

Think how easy it would have been to overlook the ring in the muzzle, never realizing it was relined. The history of this one is so unique, it needs to be showcased.

[Longcolt44]

For sure. This rifle needs to be shwon and shared.

[millman]

Ron, I know you are busy with family business right now, but when you get a chance, would you go ahead and put this in the showcase? The pics that look big, show good detail when they are clicked on, and I would just as soon leave them as is. If this is not a huge problem, post it. If it is, let me know.

Millman

[Rongo]

Ron, I know you are busy with family business right now, but when you get a chance, would you go ahead and put this in the showcase? The pics that look big, show good detail when they are clicked on, and I would just as soon leave them as is. If this is not a huge problem, post it. If it is, let me know.

Millman

Then that's how it shall be. Great submission.

[clayshooter2]

Very nice!

[millman]

Thanks Ron.

[Rongo]

Thanks Ron.

Now up & on the Showcase.

[millman]

[WeldonHunter]

Very cool rifle. It doesn't seem a day goes by that I don't learn something new about these rifles. Still amazes me. Relined barrels. Wow! They tried everything with the rifles.