Finn Followed Me Home

[Submerge]

Today at a gun show, a Finn followed me home. Sold by private party at the show.

1940 Tikka M91. Mismatched. Appears to be a Finnish stock, note the S in the photo on the right side of the stock. Butt plate and some other small parts are Russian marked. Handguard is 3 rivet type, all copper rivets. No wire swivels, just the metal slots for a sling. One piece stock (not dovetailed). Nice finish, appears to be part lacquer. Diameter at wrist is 6.5", which means it's a Finn stock according to the Lapin book.

Rifling is very sharp. Bore slugged at 0.309-0.310 with 0.300 at the lands. Not counterbored.

Problems: The cleaning rod just pulled out, wouldn't thread in. Turns out it was broken at the threads. Easily fixed with enough thread left to engage the rod. The forward band was loose. I removed a bit of metal so it would close more, and put a couple of soft metal shims under it so now it's nice and snug. There is some pitting on the mag housing which was blued over some time in the past, looks like factory finish.

The age and patina of the parts seem to agree. He had $325 on it, marked down to $275. I told him I was thinking about $200 and would come back before I left. He later agreed on the price so it followed me home.. Photos below.

Any thoughts on the S marking on the stock? Does this confirm it's Finnish? One member on the C&R list said the S indicated Civil Guard duty for the rifle.

You can also make out a small mark on the top Hex flat. Appears to be some type of crest with two letters, maybe L K or L H. The crest appears similar to ones I've seen on line, often with the AZH (Finn capture) letters in place of the ones on mine.

Note that current 91/30s were going for $189 (cheapest I saw at the show). And surplus Russian ammo was $12 for a box of 20. Get as many spam cans as you can afford through the wholesalers now.

Appreciate your thoughts,
David

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[Lee-online]

How about some overall shots of the rifle.

The S and the number look to be the civil guard district number. The stock finish isn't original to the rifle, its been refinished.

[Finnished39]

Always nice to find a new friend at the gun show. Looks like a winner with some interesting history. I am Intested to see what can be concluded from the barrel, receiver and stock stampings.

[Submerge]

Roger on the overall shots. Will get tomorrow when there is better light.
Thanks.

[desdem12]

Nice. The finns liked the barrel bands loose for better barrel harmonics.

[bunkysdad]

I can't tell if it is refinished or waxed and maybe buffed, but one thing I am sure of. You got a nice bargain there. Congrats!

[Submerge]

Thanks for replies so far. The finish looks old, but certainly looks smoother than a lacquered military finish. So probably was tinkered with in its past.

The loose bands...... Lapin says in his book that the Finns installed small screws just in front of each band so they would not come off. I can understand keeping things loose for barrel freedom. Even with the bands firmly secured the barrel wiggles nicely in the channel (well, actually the stock wiggles around the barrel :-).

Maybe someone will know what that little crest is on the top flat of the hex receiver. I'll try and get a better photo of it tomorrow along with the whole rifle. Now I gotta find a Finnish sling...., and bayo......it never ends does it??!!

[MarksmanTim]

Thanks for replies so far. The finish looks old, but certainly looks smoother than a lacquered military finish. So probably was tinkered with in its past.

The loose bands...... Lapin says in his book that the Finns installed small screws just in front of each band so they would not come off. I can understand keeping things loose for barrel freedom. Even with the bands firmly secured the barrel wiggles nicely in the channel (well, actually the stock wiggles around the barrel :-).

Maybe someone will know what that little crest is on the top flat of the hex receiver. I'll try and get a better photo of it tomorrow along with the whole rifle. Now I gotta find a Finnish sling...., and bayo......it never ends does it??!!

That is an original stamp on the receiver from that receivers original life as another rifle, perhaps (likely) an M91. A lot of these were ground off or otherwise defaced once in the hands of countries that fought the Russians.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[paul6892]

Thanks for replies so far. The finish looks old, but certainly looks smoother than a lacquered military finish. So probably was tinkered with in its past.

The loose bands...... Lapin says in his book that the Finns installed small screws just in front of each band so they would not come off. I can understand keeping things loose for barrel freedom. Even with the bands firmly secured the barrel wiggles nicely in the channel (well, actually the stock wiggles around the barrel :-).

Maybe someone will know what that little crest is on the top flat of the hex receiver. I'll try and get a better photo of it tomorrow along with the whole rifle. Now I gotta find a Finnish sling...., and bayo......it never ends does it??!!

That is an original stamp on the receiver from that receivers original life as another rifle, perhaps (likely) an M91. A lot of these were ground off or otherwise defaced once in the hands of countries that fought the Russians.

Good Morning Tim !

What is a 1940 Izhevsk M38 "G.I. bring back"

[Junk Yard Dog]

Thanks for replies so far. The finish looks old, but certainly looks smoother than a lacquered military finish. So probably was tinkered with in its past.

The loose bands...... Lapin says in his book that the Finns installed small screws just in front of each band so they would not come off. I can understand keeping things loose for barrel freedom. Even with the bands firmly secured the barrel wiggles nicely in the channel (well, actually the stock wiggles around the barrel :-).

Maybe someone will know what that little crest is on the top flat of the hex receiver. I'll try and get a better photo of it tomorrow along with the whole rifle. Now I gotta find a Finnish sling...., and bayo......it never ends does it??!!

That is an original stamp on the receiver from that receivers original life as another rifle, perhaps (likely) an M91. A lot of these were ground off or otherwise defaced once in the hands of countries that fought the Russians.

Good Morning Tim !

What is a 1940 Izhevsk M38 "G.I. bring back"

I don't know, the subject rifle is a Finn Tikka M91. possibly redone stock finish, maybe not. GI's did bring back a lot of communist weapons during Korea, and Vietnam, even a few from Gulf 1. Without paperwork, or the living veteran telling you it's so there is no real way to tell except by speculation of a rifle is a bring home or not.

[Submerge]

Here's a few more photos as requested.

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[Lee-online]

Very nice Tikka.

[davesstuff1]

Great Find

[paul6892]

Here's a few more photos as requested.

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Very , ,


FYI as a child I lived in Jacksonville area from 1945-1957, when we moved to St. Augustine for two years then Palatka, I left there
in September 1961 and enlisted in the Navy.

[jimpierce7]

well done!! Nice.