There is something about this Finn that stirs us Mosin Nagant collectors. Maybe it is the old leather sling that says "Get out your arctic wear, put on your skis, strap me on your back, and let's go out and take on some Russians." The M-91 was the most commonly used rifle by Finish troops during their Winter War with the Soviet Union. Books have been written paying homage to the incredible courage and pure guts displayed by outgunned and out-manned Finland in taking on Soviet military might.
Of course, the bluing is nearly gone, the stock is beaten and battered, and the bolt isn't all bright and shiny. But hidden behind the well-worn look is one of the first 11,000 rifle barrels produced by Finns in Finland.
The first 100 to 200 barrels were produced by SAT between 1922 and 1924. M91/24 production began in 1924 but the barrels were subcontracted to Swiss and German firms. Tikka began the first Finn large scale production of barrels for M-91s in 1925 with roughly 10,000 M-91s produced between 1925 and 1927. Note the B stamp on the barrel which indicates bore size. Most Finns were rebored as D's to accept all ammo types used in Mosin Nagants. Why this rifle escaped that upgrade is a mystery. This 1927 M-91, with a serial number of 10,525, had to be near the end of the 1920s Tikka production. With the objective of increasing accuracy, the last 3,000 Finn barrels were produced in a larger outside diameter than Russian barrels.
In order to continue to accept standard bayonets, they decided to step down the barrel diameter at the front sight end of the barrel. The fact only 3,000 of these stepped M-91s were produced makes this Finn a 9 level rarity on the 7.62x54r 1-10 scale. The front sight appears to be of the curved base, curved top, notched rear variety.
The stock is a reused one piece Russian stock with Finnish escutcheon hangers.
This shot of the inside of its stock shows an indentation that is the remnant of the Russian sling groove that once ran through this area. The groove was revealed when the stock was routed out to accept the larger barrel.
That the hand guard is Finnish is supported by the copper rivets at both ends. Of course, it would have to be Finnish to accept the larger barrel.
While there is no formal cartouche, there is an initial carved in the butt area.
The rear sight is typical for a Finn M-91,
but unlike most earlier Finns, on this M-91 the Russian Arshin measures were not crossed out by the Finns ...
when metric measurements were added to the right side.
The bolt serial number is Finn matched to the barrel.
The butt plate and the magazine bottom are both scrubbed.
The magazine is courtesy of Izhevsk,
as is the bolt.
Curiously, the tang appears to be scrubbed ...
but accompanied by an interesting proof mark,
and a Finn non-matching serial number on the side of the receiver screw boss.
All in all, we have a very scarce Finn that carries more than its share of charisma. It has that, "Gun oil? I don't need no stinkin' gun oil" look about it. Of course I've taken some heat in the past for putting words in a gun's mouth. So I'll let you use your own imagination. What is it saying to you?
