M28 ina 91/30 stock

[Singer B]

Hello all, I just pulled the trigger on this Finnish M28 SPF in a 91/30 stock with a crack on the forward part of the hand guard on the right side near the barrel. The crack was not disclosed, I noticed it in the pictures after the fact. Price was $525. Seller described the stock as a "war time" Soviet stock 91/30 and states that this indicates the rifle must have seen action in the 40s: Winter War, Continuation War. Seller claims there are no import marks, indicating that the rifle must have come before the mid 60s. The receiver is a Westinghouse and the barrel is a SIG; "Schweiz Industrie Gesellschaft Neuhausen" and "Boxed 28" markings under the wood line ("average plus"), and seller rates the finish at 95%. No matching parts. Can any of you gather from the pictures a high likelihood that this rifle/stock was configured originally by the Finns? Has there been any evidence that this was a common or uncommon practice by the Finns? I love the idea of this rifle but I want it to be original Finn. I presume I would need to modify a replacement 91/30 hand guard. How available are M28 stocks? What do you guys think? Pictures link https://imgur.com/a/SUNWoTM

I can't say if the Finns would have done that with the stock. The top handguard appears to be from a early/mid 30's 91/30 as evidenced by the brass/copper endpieces. The main stock appears to be from a 1940's war period 91/30 based upon the lack of metal around the rear sling slot and the small metal piece in the front sling slot. So you have a pre-war Finn rifle with a pre-war handguard and an in-war stock. Not sure what it means but the metal work looks great and the stampings are really clear.

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[13 + 1]

I can't say if the Finns would have done that with the stock. The top handguard appears to be from a early/mid 30's 91/30 as evidenced by the brass/copper endpieces. The main stock appears to be from a 1940's war period 91/30 based upon the lack of metal around the rear sling slot and the small metal piece in the front sling slot. So you have a pre-war Finn rifle with a pre-war handguard and an in-war stock. Not sure what it means but the metal work looks great and the stampings are really clear.

Singer, thank you for your insightful and educational reply. I guess my biggest concern is that the hand guard is cracked (don't know how bad) and that to replace it I will need to make modifications and form what I've read finding an M28 stock will not be easy and cost hundreds of dollars. What do you think of the seller's claim that there are no import marks? I hear that that the M28s did not come in until the mid 80s and that it should have one. And that if covered by the stock it confirms that it was replaced after import. I have a 3 day rescission period and I think I am going to walk away at this point. I am not looking for perfection but authenticity makes me feel better about spending my money.

Thanks again!

[Singer B]

I would guess that someone restocked it with leftover parts but I am not an expert on Finn rifles (or any other rifle actually) so I don't believe anyone would consider it "authentic" in its current form. M28's are hard to come by. The action looks to be in great shape. It may be a great project gun that you hold onto until the correct stock shows up or someone on this site can direct you to one. Part of the joy is the hunt for that "authentic" part which enhances and improves your rifle. I would recommend you take it apart and look for the import mark. It takes less than 5 minutes to remove the stock and hand guard and look for that mark. My Finn M39 is a CAI import and it is marked on the side of the barrel near the muzzle. The stamping is very light and almost invisible so yours may just have a light stamp that is difficult to pick up.

[13 + 1]

I would guess that someone restocked it with leftover parts but I am not an expert on Finn rifles (or any other rifle actually) so I don't believe anyone would consider it "authentic" in its current form. M28's are hard to come by. The action looks to be in great shape. It may be a great project gun that you hold onto until the correct stock shows up or someone on this site can direct you to one. Part of the joy is the hunt for that "authentic" part which enhances and improves your rifle. I would recommend you take it apart and look for the import mark. It takes less than 5 minutes to remove the stock and hand guard and look for that mark. My Finn M39 is a CAI import and it is marked on the side of the barrel near the muzzle. The stamping is very light and almost invisible so yours may just have a light stamp that is difficult to pick up.

Singer, thanks again for all your help I will keep all your advise in mind going forward. I walked away without taking delivery. The seller did not want to work with me in any way after I discovered the crack, which he claims he didn't notice it until I pointed it out in the pictures. A discount would have shown good faith and helped me in purchasing a stock. At that point it would have made much more sense. Other sources have told me that finding an loose M28 stock with all the hardware could take years and could cost 200-300 dollars, for a rifle that is already $525 + plus $50 shipping and FFL fee. I tried to work with him but he became arrogant and defensive so I walked away. Now watch a nice M28 stock show up tomorrow morning WTS for $125

[Singer B]

Singer, thanks again for all your help I will keep all your advise in mind going forward. I walked away without taking delivery. The seller did not want to work with me in any way after I discovered the crack, which he claims he didn't notice it until I pointed it out in the pictures. A discount would have shown good faith and helped me in purchasing a stock. At that point it would have made much more sense. Other sources have told me that finding an loose M28 stock with all the hardware could take years and could cost 200-300 dollars, for a rifle that is already $525 + plus $50 shipping and FFL fee. I tried to work with him but he became arrogant and defensive so I walked away. Now watch a nice M28 stock show up tomorrow morning WTS for $125

Makes complete sense. Your hunt continues!

[usabaker]

$525 + plus $50 shipping

That price seems a bit high anyhow, even for Califonia. You probabley better off that you walked away. Another will come.