Original Item: Only One Available. These are so very rare, a real pre-1899 Antique Russian Mosin-Nagant Rifle, originally referred to as the "Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891." This example was almost certainly one of 190,000 or so Mosin-Nagant M1891 Full Length Rifles left behind in Imperial Russian depots when the country gained its independence in 1917-1918. The rifle was quickly adopted as the standard weapon of the fledgling country, and quickly the need arose to overhaul these to meet Finnish Army standards. This resulted in the first of many upgraded Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles, the M/91. Due to the large number of rifles already present, until close to the WWII era all Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles were built on the original Russian receivers.

The Model 27 was the Finnish Army's first almost complete reworking of the Model 1891, it was nicknamed Pystykorva ("spitz") for the front sight protector's resemblance to the upright ears of a spitz dog. The receiver and magazine of the 1891 were retained, but a new shorter-length heavy-weight barrel was fitted. The sights were modified. The receivers and bolts were modified with "wings" being fitted to the bolt connecting bars that fit into slots machined into the receivers. The stocks were initially produced by cutting down 1891 stocks and opening up the barrel channels to accommodate the heavier barrel. New barrel bands and nose caps were fitted and a new bayonet was issued.

The modified stocks proved to be weak, breaking when soldiers practiced bayonet fighting or firing with the bayonet fitted. These and other problems resulted in a slow-down of production in the mid-1930s while solutions to problems were engineered and existing stocks of rifles were modified, resulting in the "finger joint" stock seen on this example. Produced from mid-1927 to 1940, the Model 27 was the Finnish Army's main battle rifle in the Winter War.

This is a very nice example of the Finnish M/27 Mosin-Nagant, fitted with a Finnish barrel dated 1935 next to the receiver. Next to the sight, is is marked with the "T" in a Triangle inside a Circle marking of Oy Tikkakoski Ab, or "Tika", a manufacturer of sewing machines that was purchased by a German armsdealer Willi Daugs in 1930. It then began manufacturing arms, and this is the marking seem on M91 rifle barrels produced during 1930s and 40s. Below the maker mark is the serial number 82654, which matches that marked on the bolt. There is also an SA inside a rectangle marking on the left side, for Suomi Armeija (Finnish Army), seen on many of these rifles. The barrel by the front sight has some caliber markings, required for importation.

The receiver marking is not visible unless it is removed from the stock, which we have done to be sure that this is indeed an antique. The rear underside of the receiver tang is marked with a Bow and Arrow over 1898г (г is short for год "god", or year in English), which indicates original manufacture in 1898 at Izhevsk arsenal, a major producer of Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. The factory itself was founded in 1807 at the request of the Czar, and continues to manufacturer small arms do this day.

The rear sight is an adapted Russian M91 sight, using the base and leaf assembly with modifications.  The base has an extra notch cut at the rear for a total of 6 which are numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, representing hundreds of meters on both sides of the base. The notch is in a V shape which is a separate piece screwed to the rear of the leaf. The original Russian marks up to 3200 арши́ны (arshíny) remain on the rear of the blade. The slide itself has "ears" which project down on each side of the base to help prevent damage to the leaf it is struck from the side. The bolt is actually marked with the Bow and Arrow proof of Izhevsk arsenal, showing that the Finnish did not replace any parts that were still serviceable. The magazine also looks to bear this marking on the very front.

The stock on the rifle is the correct Finnish two part design, with a finger joint under the rear sight area, and has the cross bolt to reinforce against recoil. It features a late pattern nose cap with a hinged top band and "fingers" that extend into the stock, which were an attempt to keep the bayonet from tearing off the nose cap. There is also the "Hammer" proof of Tula Arsenal on the butt plate. The stock is fitted with a rotating sling swivel on the bottom of the butt stock, and the slot on the fore stock has a "ski swivel" that attaches to the left side of a metal fitting that goes through the fore stock sling slot. This would indicate probably use by Finnish Army Ski troopers.

Condition of the rifle is very good, especially considering the age and amount of service it must have seen. The stock is in very good condition, showing light to moderate wear from service, with some small dents and chips, but no cracks or repairs we can see. The metalwork is in great shape, showing a dark blued finish overall, with markings highlighted in white to make them easier to see. It still retains the original cleaning rod, which is in good shape, and is easily removed. The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire. The bore is in excellent condition, with a bright finish and clear lands and grooves. We can see very little sign of wear.

A wonderful piece of Finnish and Firearms history! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber: 7.62×53mmR Finnish
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Length (overall): 46 3/4" (118.7 cm)
Barrel Length: 27" (68.6 cm)
Stock length:  43 1/4" (109.9 cm)
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 5 Round Internal

During the Winter War of 1939/1940, Finland heroically fought the forces of the Soviet Union in a David-versus-Goliath struggle that lasted about 100 days. Though the Finns eventually lost about 11 percent of their territory to the Soviet Union, they inflicted 323,000 casualties on the Soviets while suffering only 70,000 casualties themselves. Of course, for a small country that was a lot of casualties. As a result of Finland’s tenacity and courage during the Winter War, the reputation of the Finns around the world was enhanced, while the Soviet’s poor performance in combat may have contributed to AH's decision to invade the Soviet Union less than a year and a half later.

Finland’s greatest asset during the Winter War was a large cadre of citizen soldiers who combined their skills as skiers, woodsmen and riflemen to ambush and carry out hit-and-run attacks on the Soviets. The principal weapons for the Finnish raiders were the Suomi submachine gun and the Finnish versions of the Mosin-Nagant rifle, chambered for the Finnish 7.62x53R round, which is virtually identical to the Russian 7.62x54R round used in their version of the Mosin-Nagant.

Originally, Finland had a large number of Soviet Mosin-Nagant M/91 rifles, which were in military arms depots when they achieved their independence from Russia in December 1917. Within a few years, however, the Finns would begin producing Mosin-Nagant rifles at SAKO, Tikka and Valmet, three arms producers that remain famous today for high-quality rifles.

The first large-scale upgrade of Finnish Mosin-Nagant rifles was the M/24 rifle for the Finnish Civil Guard. The Finnish Civil Guard (the Suojeluskunta) fulfilled a function similar to the U.S. National Guard. It was composed of volunteers, many of whom were outdoorsmen, hunters and shooters. They were separate from the Finnish Army, which was composed primarily of conscripts. Civil Guard members trained frequently and realistically. So much stress was put on marksmanship that the Civil Guard actually owned the Sako gun works. Most who have studied the Winter War believe that the Civil Guard was the most important element early in the conflict to slow the Russian advance. Their M/24 rifles used German barrels from Venus Arms, or barrels purchased from SIG in Switzerland. These rifles are often referred to as the “Lotta Rifle” after Lotta Svard, the women’s auxiliary of the Civil Guard, which helped raise the money for the rifle upgrades.

Next, the Finns reworked the M1891 Mosin-Nagant by retaining the receiver and magazine, but using a shorter, heavier barrel, improved sights, an improved bolt and new barrel bands, among other changes. After problems arose with the stock breaking when using the bayonet, the stocks were also modified. An interesting point is that many Finn soldiers didn’t like the bayonet, but preferred to use their traditional puukko knives for close combat. The current bayonet for the Valmet M/76 rifle is actually a knife bayonet of traditional style. A shortened cavalry version, the M/27rv, was also produced in limited numbers. Very similar to the M/27 was the M/28, which had a different barrel band and improved trigger. Initially, M/28 barrels were purchased from SIG, but later they were produced by Tikka and SAKO. All of the rifles, however, were assembled at SAKO. The major criticism of the M/28 was that it retained the Russian “Konovalov” rear sight, which Finnish troops did not like. This is one of the primary reasons for the development of the M/28-30.