M38 Carbine Finn Captured

[Darryl]

Finnish Capture M38
7.62 x 54r Cal.
1939 Izhevsk
D Marked
SA Marked
41 Marked

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m38_cap_01.jpg

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m38_cap_02.jpg

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m38_cap_03.jpg

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Wonder what it is worth now? Paid under $500 for it way back then and probably overpaid for it back then.

Darryl

[Tula44]

Another beautiful rifle, Darryl

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Teleoceras]

Darryl:

Very nice find! Thanks for sharing!

[Darryl]

I ran into it at a gun show here in Calif.
Guy knew what he had.
At that time a M38 was going for about $150.
I think I had to pay around $500 because of what it is.

Not sure what it is worth now.

Darryl

[Junk Yard Dog]

My second Mosin, seller didn't know what it was, I didn't know what it was, just some Russian rifle. Came with most of a spam can of ammo, $40, even if both of us had know what it was nobody back then gave a shit. Made in Finland ? Don't they make them SAKO rifles there? Hmmm....maybe you give me fifty bucks for it.

[Darryl]

Problem is now, there are zero for sale now. So, how do you value a rifle like this?

Darryl

[Junk Yard Dog]

Problem is now, there are zero for sale now. So, how do you value a rifle like this?

Darryl

It's worth whatever I imagine I can get for it, and I can imagine an awful lot Cash probably wouldn't do it, it would have to be something very special that I don't already have. Solid gold, encrusted with precious stones Anubis statue from an ancient Egyptian tomb, yea, I don't have one of them.

[racerguy00]

Only 39 date Finn capture m38 I ever saw for sale went for 1k about 2 years ago but it had the original first pattern stock. Not 41 marked like yours though.

[Darryl]

Only 39 date Finn capture m38 I ever saw for sale went for 1k about 2 years ago but it had the original first pattern stock. Not 41 marked like yours though.

If you look at (back in the day) all the 1939 M38's, most of them had a second version stock.

My belief is, they changed from the first series stock to the second series stock in 1939 mid to late in the year.
There is no other way to look at that. As few 1939 M38's that there has been that have a first series stock on them (I only have seen a couple) makes them as rare as hen's teeth. Fact, I have only seen 2 of them.

I would say there is a early model and a late model 1939 M38.
I don't believe the Finn's found that many second series stocks (which are rare to find also) and put them on their captured M38's. Why?
Third series were easier to get but remember, I think they capture very few M38's anyway. Where would they get all these "extra" stocks, and why swap them?
Mine would be a late model 1939 M38.

Darryl

[racerguy00]

Is there a legible cartouche on the stock with the inspector's initials? If there is does it match the one on the barrel?

[Darryl]

There is a cartouche on the stock. How do you compare to "barrel"?
Darryl

[tomaustin]

how many were there at the beginning....?
few 100, 1000,10,000?

[Darryl]

how many were there at the beginning....?
few 100, 1000,10,000?

In 1940 they had less then 500.
In 1950 they reported a total of 2291 rifles including M44.

When they sold most of their Mosins, they had even less.

Darryl

[racerguy00]

There is a cartouche on the stock. How do you compare to "barrel"?
Darryl

Check and see if the stock cartouche initials match the inspector's initials here. Generally an original stock would have matching initials with the barrel but not always. In any event, the stock can be fairly accurately dated using the initials.

[MongooseLaw]

Original matching Finn M38's seem to go for 1k to 2k range, very nice rifle and great price

[Rongo]

[Darryl]

I have covid19 right now but when I get up some strength, I'll look.

Darryl