Finnish Capture Mosin Nagant Rifle

I thought that members would be interested to see this Mosin Nagant rifle, U.K. deactivated, which I believe to have been Finnish captured. It is of historical interest because it hasn't gone through the Post War Soviet Refurbishment Programme. There are, however, signs of armourer's repairs to the stock as may be expected of a rifle of this age and type. The stock has just a Linseed oil finish and there are no signs of it ever been varnished or of having Shellac applied.

Possible Finn mark, but it is not in the normal place. Generally the 41 mark is found on the right side of the barrel shank near the wood line. For a late war 91/30 capture, you'd also generally see the D mark or a [SA] but not always. Interesting rifle.

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Originally Posted by Homer2

Possible Finn mark, but it is not in the normal place. Generally the 41 mark is found on the right side of the barrel shank near the wood line. For a late war 91/30 capture, you'd also generally see the D mark or a [SA] but not always. Interesting rifle.

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This.

1943 dated Finn captures are pretty rare too...

It's not the original 1943 stock, thats a 41 or earlier stock. The Finns likely changed it.

OK chaps, What makes this one Finnish captured?
Not being sarky, just would like to know.
The stock looks one piece, like the original Russian type, the front sight isn't altered to the Finnish blade with no hood, the sling slots are still there without the fillers and swivels fitted, and no SA mark.
I am interested in these rifles but need educating as to what you blokes are seeing that I am unaware of , that makes it Finnish.

Best,
Richard.

It has a "41" stamped to the receiver but this is NOT necessarily the actual year it was captured, although it has now been questioned above as to if the 41 is in the correct position. Also this rifle hasn't gone through the Post War Soviet refurb programme although this last point doesn't prove it's Finish capture.

Thanks for the reply, Flying10.
I have only had & seen the ones reworked and with the SA stamp. I was unaware that a date stamp in specific places implied Finnish ownership. Thank you for that.
I was aware that some 91/30's went into service with no real modifications, but did not know how they were marked.

At one time, I had a 'GUN Digest' annual with a very good article re. Nagants in Finnish service. If anyone can tell me what year this was, I'd like to find another copy. (loaned mine to someone and it never came back)

Thank you again,
Richard.

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Originally Posted by Richard Hare

Thanks for the reply, Flying10.
I have only had & seen the ones reworked and with the SA stamp. I was unaware that a date stamp in specific places implied Finnish ownership. Thank you for that.
I was aware that some 91/30's went into service with no real modifications, but did not know how they were marked.

At one time, I had a 'GUN Digest' annual with a very good article re. Nagants in Finnish service. If anyone can tell me what year this was, I'd like to find another copy. (loaned mine to someone and it never came back)

Thank you again,
Richard.

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SA markings were definitely not used on most rifles prior to 1941. Many rifles ended the war with no SA markings, but many were subsequently marked in the decades after the war. Civil Guard rifles were only SA marked if turned over to the army at some point, and not all were.

There are many Finn captures that have no Finn property samp, though most do.

I suspect it is legitimately a finn capture, but the finns have replaced the stock and perhaps done other field repairs.

Too bad it's nitro proof marked and deactivated.

Thank you for the very useful post, Claven. Helps clarify things very well!

Best,
Richard.