Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Finnish Model M/39 Mosin-Nagant rifle assembled with a 1941 dated SAKO barrel on an antique Imperial Russian Izhevsk receiver dated 1895. Serial number 215288 is present on the barrel, with matching abbreviated 5288 numbers on the bolt handle end and magazine floorplate. The rifle also retains Finnish Army markings, Imperial Russian and Soviet era component markings, and a correct M/39 finger jointed stock.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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." 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.

During the late 1920s, several additional variants were developed, based on the needs of specific parts of the Finnish Civil Guard and Military. These included the M/24, M/27, the M/28, the M28/30, and numerous sub variations. An M/91-35 was proposed, but strongly objected to by the Civil Guard. After four additional years of development, the M/39 rifle was accepted, nicknamed "Ukko-Pekka" after the former President Pehr Evind Svinhufvud. This rifle was a compromise between the Army and White Guard, adopted so as to standardize Mosin–Nagant production.

The M/39 was derived largely from the M28-30, but included some alterations proposed by the Army. The M/39 also incorporated a semi-pistol grip into the stock, though some early examples used typical Mosin–Nagant straight stocks. Only 10 rifles were completed by the end of the Winter War, but 96,800 were produced after the Winter War and used in the Continuation War. Small numbers were assembled from leftover parts in the late 1960s through 1973, bringing the total production to approximately 102,000. Additional rifles had been captured by both sides during the Winter war, so there were examples that were built using newly captured Soviet Mosin-Nagants.

The example we have here is one of those produced just two years after the Winter War, which means it almost certainly saw service curing the Continuation War of 1941-1944. It was built on an 1895-dated Izhevsk receiver, which we believe had been in Soviet service before being captured circa 1940. It has had the barrel replaced, and the full markings on the barrel are clear (though faintly stamped), and read:-

(SAKO Logo)

215288

1941

The barrel bears the Crowned S in a Gear logo of SAKO (Suojeluskuntain Ase ja Konepaja Oy), a Finnish firearms manufacturer. They were a known producer of barrels and M/39 conversions using older receivers, and their logo is also stamped into the right side of the stock. Next to this is a marking that looks like "Crossed hammers" with a circle over it, with an S inside the circle, which indicates the maker of the stock (SAKO). There are additional markings on the breech end of the barrel, including an SA inside a rectangle, for Suomi Armeija (Finnish Army). The bolt handle end and bottom of the magazine have also been marked with 5288 as well, to match the barrel serial number.

The bottom of the barrel by the front sight has import and caliber markings from Tennessee Guns from Knoxville, who also marked the left side of the receiver has been marked with serial number 215288 to match the barrel. This was imported with a large number of other Mosin-Nagant rifles from Finland, and all were marked, regardless of antique status.

The receiver manufacture 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 bottom of the receiver tang is marked with a "Bow & Arrow" over 1895г (г is short for год "god", or year in English), indicating original manufacture in 1895 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. This also means that this is definitely a Pre-1899 antique firearm. This is one of many Imperial Russian receivers that saw service for well over half a century.

The firing pin holder, and magazine housing are marked with the "Bow and Arrow" marking of Izhevsk Arsenal, while the right side of the bolt is marked with the Hammer proof of Tula Arsenal, both Czarist markings which were discontinued following the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war. The receiver no longer has the Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle over Cyrillic letters Л К, as they were deliberately ground out. We also noted that the marking on the magazine was overstamped with a triangle, a Soviet era proof, which means that parts captured during the Winter War were used in the construction of this rifle.

The barrel is the correct shorter 27 inch version, which is thicker than the original Russian specification for greater accuracy. It is fitted with a Finnish M/39 sight, with ranges in the standard hundreds of meters, and the fore sight is a blade with a "winged" sight protector. 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 is the M/39 pattern, with a "pistol grip" area, as well as sling swivels on both the bottom and left side of the stock, which allowed for multiple different sling configurations and types of slings to be used, part of the compromise between the Army and White Guard.

Condition of the rifle is very good, and it definitely looks to have seen only light service during the Continuation war, and was probably put into storage afterwards. It shows light wear, and it does look like the stock was refinished at some point, probably when a crack in the butt stock was repaired. As is usual the stock is made from multiple pieces of wood, so the joint on the butt stock can come apart over the years without any type of misuse. The metalwork was reblued during the M/39 conversion or afterwards, and is in very good condition.

It still retains the original cleaning rod, which is in good shape, and threads correctly into the stock. The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to see if the magazine still feeds. The bolt can easily be removed for a field stripping, and also still has a functional "safety" position on the firing pin holder. The bore is in very good condition, with a bright finish and strong lands and grooves. There is some rounding of the lands, and we can see some past oxidation in the grooves, so it definitely did see some level of use.

With its 1941 SAKO barrel, antique 1895 Izhevsk receiver, Finnish Army SA marking, matching 5288 bolt and magazine numbers, mixed Imperial Russian and Soviet component markings, correct M/39 stock, and strong bore, this is an especially interesting Finnish Mosin-Nagant with service history spanning the Imperial Russian and Finnish periods. The refinished stock, repaired buttstock crack, reblued metalwork, ground Imperial eagle, modern import markings, and untested magazine feeding are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Finnish M/39, SAKO, Mosin-Nagant, Continuation War, antique military rifle, or advanced Finnish firearms collection.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1895 - converted later
Maker: Izhevsk Arsenal, rebuilt by SAKO
Model: Finnish M/39 Mosin-Nagant
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: 42 1/2" (108.0 cm)
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 5 Round Internal
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.