Looking at an M39

[cleanneon98]

OK guys, so I've scoped out a local M39 for sale. It's a 1943 SAKO built with the SK.Y. markings for the Civil guard, so one of 10,500 (and 5000 for that year). It has a matching serial on the barrel, and bolt (but not on the buttplate or the mag cover), as well as the receiver on the left side when it was matched by the finns. It's built on an what I think is an Izhevsk 1901 receiver.

Downsides? It has virtually no bluing left, which IMO looks awesome and well worn, but not sure what it means for the value of it. The stock is a SAKO one, but not the original SK.Y. one (though the stock on it is a war-time based on the joints). The bore is supposedly in good shape as well, as I do plan on shooting this one. The only other downside is the crack in the upper hand guard, but I don't think I'd be fixing that, unless I found a 43 dated SKY stock set to replace it and make it a more authentic package. Here are a few photos, I tried to embed them but it did not work so I apologize for the links.

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56D8321B

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=57189829

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=570B397E

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56D47B1E

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=571208AD

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=5717BDA3

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=57189829

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=571D34D7


Given this information and photos, what would you say is a fair price for this rifle?

[steelbuttplate]

Classic firearms selling them for $399. If you win one on GB you'll pay about the same. That's a long looking M-39??? Could be M-28??? Not sure.

[cleanneon98]

Definitely an m39 by serial number and stamping and sights. My main thing is if the lack of bluing will hurt value down the road. 399 online plus shipping and transfer and tax is 450+ and this is less

[Fledge]

I would say under $399 is worth it. You can buy from classic but it is sight unseen. At least you can see what you are buying.

[cleanneon98]

Yes it's under 399 and private sale so no fees or BS. How about the bluing? It does have a proper front sight too.

[redspoon]

I think the mostly in the white blueing looks good, some collectors like the honest well used look. I believe the receiver is a Sestroryetsk.

[djbuck1]

It looks like the veteran of a lot of service to me. Some people value that; some people don't. You don't know who is going to be in the market if/when you're ready to sell. If someone wants a 100% blued rifle with a near perfect stock, they're likely to buy a 1968-1970 M39 anyway. "Down the road," M39s and these Sk.Ys in particular will be sought after. The "Classic Firearms M39 Dump," has distorted the market. You can't go by present valuation.

I'll defer to the experts, but that looks like a Sestroryetsk stamp on the tang.

If you don't want it because the bluing is worn, send the seller's contact info to me. I'll take it!

In fact, here's one of mine. Crappy pics just snapped with the phone, but just to show you the one you're looking at is hardly a one-off. And I'm not selling.

[redspoon]

so I've scoped out a

Oh and in the future don't use those words in your opening sentence, makes some of us old timers ticker skip a beat.

[Fledge]

I for one like the "used" look with less bluing. As long as it isn't all rusted up.

[cleanneon98]

The guy selling collects mil surps and has had mosins before so I'm sure it's well stored. Didn't see any rust in the photos.

[bunkysdad]

Remember the M39 rifles went through refurbishing too so if you find one that has great bluing that is often the reason. This one looks awesone to me. I would not hesitate if it is 400.00 or less. As for future value it is only going up in my opinion. As for the cracks in the handguard I would check it out AFTER I bought it to see if glue is required but regardless that is no deal breaker to me. I see no reason to even consider changing the stock. You could find a handguard if you needed but I would rather have a cracked one that matched like this one does more than a uncracked one that the wood didn't match. These are milsurps. Real history right in your hands. A 75 year old veteran. What 75 year old veteran doesn't have a lifetime of wrinkles and cracks to give them character? I hope you can get it.

[7x57]

You got a fine old warhorse which for sure could tell quite a few stories...

[cleanneon98]

Well as long as nobody buys it between now and tomorrow night it will be mine (as long as the bore checks out). I did notice on my 2 mosins the rifling is good and there is minimal pitting but I guess at the throat (where the bullet starts its flight) it's more worn for the first 1/4-1/2 inch. Is that actually wear or is the rifling done that way on purpose? Just so I know what to look for on this one. Both my 91/30s have it so im assuming it's part of the design

[bunkysdad]

When new the rifling would be sharp and clear like the rest of the bore but they get worn from years of cleaning with poor quality rods. The Finns correct a bad muzzle or crown with a counter bore which restores accuracy. Some have them and some do not

[Junk Yard Dog]

Lack of bluing? That's called " patina" bluing never helped a rifle shoot better, and these days collectors are coming to appreciate the look of a rifle that has been places and done things, all sorts of things. My M39's are 50/50, half of them have full blue and spent lots of time sitting an armory someplace. The other half kicked ass on the front lines and look it. Lack of blue never stopped me from buying a milsurp, and I never worry about what some schmuck 30 years from now will think about it, I buy rifles for me.

[cleanneon98]

Thanks to everyone's advice on this matter. 3 hours to go!

[amx4080]

Stay under $400 and you did good; but if it "speaks" to you go for it. It's hard to give a good general price for the Finnish M39 as auction sale prices are all over.

[cleanneon98]

So it's mine for $350. Bore looked pretty shoddy but I wanted the rifle anyway so tok a gamble. Luckily, a lot of stuff has come out but I've run out of patches. I did get it considerably better than where it was before. I have to say the trigger feels much different from a regular 91/30, the stock is a lot beefier in a good way, and the rear sight is way more advanced. Bolt feels like it's on ball bearings, just an amazing difference.

Here are a few snaps.









Bore before mild clean


After 3 brush passes and 15 patches. It was coming out really nasty at first. Was going back and forth between Ballistol and Hoppes number 9.


Super happy with the rifle either way but I hope she shoots well. I know the bore pix are not great. Going to get more patches and keep going at it. May send my bore snake through as well.

[cleanneon98]

Doing some further cleaning, I found a bunch of grese (probably cosmoline) in the chamber and got some of it out. The guy has had the rifle for 8 years and never shot it. I think a little more TLC will bring her back to good condition. Took the rifle out of it's stock. Has 2 metal shims in the back, none in the front. I did notice a metal spacer in the front hole that keeps the barrel and action from moving back and forth like they do in all the 91/30s.

[cleanneon98]

Is the lack of shims up front normal? If they've been gone, they've been gone probably about a decade. I can't see that there were shims in the front channel anyway (I'd see some kind of marking or rubs maybe) but just wondering, did all the Finn Rifles have them or just some? Should I not worry about them?