Unusual M38 stock?

[1903Collector]

You are right! If only this rifle could talk!
Odd though, if this was a Finn or Soviet rework of sorts that they didnt use a readily available (by '44) M44 hand guard, but they modified what looks to be the original hand guard to the M91 stock. Also odd that no accommodation was made for an upper sling attachment!?!?
Ill post pics of the final result after I make the changes to meet M1938 specs. The M44 handguard comes in today, but my shop will not be ready for wood work until mid-Oct! :-(

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 PM ----------

The stock was likely a M91 Infantry rifle stock, but also likely Finnish made. Could have even been a M27, M28, or M28/30 stock as well due to the sling escutcheon. Unless there is any specific markings on the stock to date it, it could be any of those variants made which would place the stock somewhere 1908 or later as that was when the sling slots were first cut into the stock for the infantry rifles. If I had to guess this rifle was likely a battlefield pick up by a Finnish soldier with damaged wood. The soldier likely then changed out the wood himself as carbines would have been fairly desired (the M38 is a awesome size for a rifle) and bringing it forward might have resulted in it being sent elsewhere.

I agree with your estimate of the approx likely date. But its not a Finnish stock. The cross bolt of Finn stocks were always nicely centered to the finger guard radius. The cross bolts of all Russian stocks are always off-centered low and away.
Im pretty sure most, if not all, Finn sticks were birch (Finland is basically a birch tree forest). I traveled there for work for 15 years...I absolutely LOVE Finland!
Im pretty sure this stock is not birch. Id like to say it is Walnut. Ill know when I cut the grooves into it next month.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.