M91, Russian, Finn?

[sdh1911]

Yesterday at the local Cabelas, I picked up a Tula 1906 M91 that appears to have gone in-tru Finnish re-build, but, retains the original barrel. I can't find any mention of such a gun in either Bowsers book or Lapins book. Seems pretty strange. It has a one piece lower stock with the in-line lug, over sized rear area near the butt plate, cross-cannons on the passenger side of the butt stock with a #3 stamped into one of the finger grooves. The butt plate is un-marked. The stock rings are type one, un-marked. The sling swivels are the wire hanging style and the nose piece is the early style with an early Izzy bow and arrow on it. The top wood is the Finnish style with brass lead-ins and copper rivets. The barrel is correctly marked for a 1906 Tula in every regard except the SA in a round corner rectangle on the drivers side. The rear sight base is marked for both Arshinis and meters, the Arshinis being struck out. The ladder is the first type finnish with both A and M marks on it. The front sight is the first type with the small set-back at the top. The barrel measures 31.5" long and stock and handgaurd appear correct to the gun. The stock is not spliced anywhere nor is the top wood. The barrel has correct Russian proofs on it for both process and firing. I'm confident the gun was re-built by the Finns., but why wouldn't they have changed the barrel and would this gun fall into a differnet designation other than the M91 being as how it had been rebuilt by the Finns? Is this a common gun??- Many thanks in advance for taking the time to read this thread and please feel free to let me know any observations you may have regarding what it may be. Thanks again-SDH1911

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[Claven2]

Nothing unusual, the Finns often retained the Russian barrel if it was useable. Maybe 50% of Finn M91's are of this type

[sdh1911]

Thanks Claven2, are these rifles of a common varity?-Thanks, SDH

[Claven2]

No Finn Mosin can be said to be common as milsurps go. Some are currently available on the market, but that will be short lived. In the scheme of things, they (Finns) are all rare milsurps. FWIW, I keep 4 of Finn M91's currently... a good investment piece IMHO.

[sdh1911]

Many Thanks,-SDH