My Russian/Finnish M91

[Junk Yard Dog]

It's what we call Finn matching, the Finns at some point stopped numbering the buttplate, floorplate, or stock and just restamped the bolt. The mix of parts is common, when the Finns rebuilt these rifles they used whatever parts came to hand that were good regardless of were they came from originally. Have you had the action out of the stock? If you haven't you might discover metal shims between the receiver and the wood, be sure to keep them exactly were they belong as these were put there to improve accuracy. Not every Finn Mosin will have, or need them.

[TheSovietSamurai]

I haven't taken the action out of the stock yet, thanks for letting me know about the shims, I had no idea.

[TopperT]

THAT is one GREAT rifle you have there.. ....I only wish I had one like it. Congratulations on such a great find.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I haven't taken the action out of the stock yet, thanks for letting me know about the shims, I had no idea.

They can be found in any Finn Mosin, not just the Finn built ones. Like I said, there may not be any, not every rifle needed them, or got them.

[TheSovietSamurai]

Sorry to revive a long dead thread folks, but could anybody tell me what that little crown actually stands for? I've not seen a stamp like that on any other Mosin and it's really bugging me

[zeebill]

I have seen that crown mark and what it means somewhere but the only thing that comes to mind is the Germans used that and a letter to identify something relevent about the barrel. I will try and get back later with a better answer after some searching through my data. Bill

[zeebill]

Dam old DUMMY I am! That is the Serbian crown. Sorry old age overcomes me at times, Most times I am afraid! Bill

[TopperT]

I'm glad you brought this back up because that is one beautiful rifle. I know I speak for many here, we NEVER get tired of Mosin Porn and your photos are really jucy..... Thanks (again )

[SA1911a1]

That is an outstanding rifle. Congrats!

[TheSovietSamurai]

Dam old DUMMY I am! That is the Serbian crown. Sorry old age overcomes me at times, Most times I am afraid! Bill

Oh wow, that's quite exciting! How would it have ended up as far away as Finland? Maybe it was sent to Serbia in 1914, captured by the Austrians/Germans and given to FInland later on? EIther way, I'm very excited to know that this rifle has a much deeper history than I assumed, thanks a lot for the info.
Haha, and no worries for bringing this thread back to life fellas, it makes me glad that others can also get enjoyment out of my old treasures.

[Rangerflip]

Thank you for sharing pictures of your fine rifle, this is a great place to get an education about the history of the old rifles and some of the paths they have taken before they found a place to rest in our homes and before they take their next journey.

[shmlnaaa]

Dam old DUMMY I am! That is the Serbian crown. Sorry old age overcomes me at times, Most times I am afraid! Bill

Oh wow, that's quite exciting! How would it have ended up as far away as Finland? Maybe it was sent to Serbia in 1914, captured by the Austrians/Germans and given to FInland later on? EIther way, I'm very excited to know that this rifle has a much deeper history than I assumed, thanks a lot for the info.
Haha, and no worries for bringing this thread back to life fellas, it makes me glad that others can also get enjoyment out of my old treasures.

Who knows. The Finn bought M91's and parts for them from all over Europe during the interwar period. The Serbian crown is really cool to find on one though!

[zeebill]

It is not easy to find I know that as I have only one that I know of! I won't even hazard a guess about how it got on there either because there are just so many ways it could have. Nice one to have and a great rifle to begin with! Bill

[TheSovietSamurai]

It is not easy to find I know that as I have only one that I know of! I won't even hazard a guess about how it got on there either because there are just so many ways it could have. Nice one to have and a great rifle to begin with! Bill

I guess I was quite lucky to find the old girl, she was sitting in a tiny rural gun shop for who knows how long, the old guy that owned the place didn't have a clue what it was whatsoever, he thought it was just a 91/30. It's the only one of two M91's I've seen advertised or even heard of in the whole country, anything other than a 91/30 is quite scarce here. I believe it also has the Bulgarian "B" in a circle mark as well.

[TheSovietSamurai]

Turns out the receiver was previously attached to a New England Westinghouse rifle! I only recently identified the marking on the tang, I initially dismissed it as it wasn't a very clear stamp. I can understand now why the Imperial stamp remains on the shank but not the receiver, they weren't always on the same rifle.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have a Westinghouse barrel attached to a 1905 Tula receiver.

[TheSovietSamurai]

New pic, for old time sake (Now that I've discovered a better way to upload pics)

[zhuk]

I'm bloody glad you bumped this old thread too, Samurai! That is a SUPERB looking M91! Just beautiful...



Fantastic that you managed to find such a gorgeous example down here.


I've only ever seen one M91 advertised and it was a POS, someone had scrubbed the stock, possibly with steel wool and it was missing the magazine follower.

Not that the dealer told me that, after I'd driven almost 200kms over the mountains to look at it



You really have an awesome collection of rifles, mate! And thumbs up for being lucky enough to live across the road from a rifle range I have the deepest envy lol

[wolfstein]

Welcome! Great looking rifle

[Celt]

worthy!