Finn 91/30 pot belly observation

After a little confusion on the previous post, I realized I had better go to the locker and check the dates and markings to make sure they are what I have them logged in as. One thing I never noticed was there is the #41 stamped on the passenger side of the barrels of both of my pot belly Finn 91/30's. I looked through a couple of books on markings and couldn't find any reference to this marking. I wonder if the are Finnish marking or Russian. I couldn't find this stamping on any of the Russian guns I own, but, I only have a about a dozen examples so who's to say. Anybody else ever see this marking?SDH

The 41 marking is a semi-common mark on Winter War captured Mosins. It's thought to mean either capture or depot inspection in 1941, though the precise meaning is not known with certainty.

Thanks for the info! Did they mark their other captures with different markings and did the Russians mark their re-captures? I hate to keep asking stupid questions, but it's great to be able to finally get answers from true collectors. Down in these parts, very few collect milsurp. I can answer questions pretaining to 20th century American arms, but, so can about ten guy's in my home town. Thats all they seem to be interested in, it's also why they are broke most of the time. They've spent all their income on nicely redone almost original items-SDH

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Originally Posted by sdh1911

Thanks for the info! Did they mark their other captures with different markings and did the Russians mark their re-captures? I hate to keep asking stupid questions, but it's great to be able to finally get answers from true collectors. Down in these parts, very few collect milsurp. I can answer questions pretaining to 20th century American arms, but, so can about ten guy's in my home town. Thats all they seem to be interested in, it's also why they are broke most of the time. They've spent all their income on nicely redone almost original items-SDH

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Aside from Puostuslaitos and SA markings, I think that's about it for the Finns. The Russians, as far as I'm aware, only marked rifles with a crudely struck "X" which signifies crossed rifles. I think only captured rifles that have been Russian refurbished got it though.

Thanks Claven2, Its without question you are the goto guy on Russian/Finnish rifles. I wonder if you can recommend some good accurate reading on the topic? I have the Lapin and Browsers book, plus a re-print of a Russian manual. I still find to many areas not covered that I could use in my collecting pursuits. Any suggestions? B.R.SDH

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Originally Posted by sdh1911

Thanks Claven2, Its without question you are the goto guy on Russian/Finnish rifles. I wonder if you can recommend some good accurate reading on the topic? I have the Lapin and Browsers book, plus a re-print of a Russian manual. I still find to many areas not covered that I could use in my collecting pursuits. Any suggestions? B.R.SDH

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any chance you read German? Or Finnish?

Best book is probably Drei Linine Gewehr by Karl-Heinz Wrobel. 2 Volume set. Hard to find though and expensive (and written in German).

Sadly, the best references on many arms are not in English :(

Looks like you already have the two best English references, though they are both out of date.

Also check out www.Mosinnagant.net and www.7.62x54R.net

I do work for a German Mfg co and most of my friends speak German but, don't know if they can read it. Be assured I'll ask. Do you know where I can look for these books???SDH

You can order volume II here, not sure about volume 1 - perhaps e-mail the company?

http://www.shop.dwj-verlag.de/index....7cbc5.37427368

Many thanks, you've been a big help-SDH