What the heck are these drilled and tapped holes? Finn M91

[81turbota]

Within the last hour I started a thread about my two recent additions, including this Tikka M91.

After starting that thread I pulled it apart for cleaning and found these holes. They are under the wood line, I can't imagine that Bubba would have done this....it still has the hardened Finn grease on it and has no damage to the stock. I can only imagine the Finns did this? Any thoughts?

The action sitting in the stock:


Lifted up out of the stock. Note two drilled and tapped holes in the receiver:


I don't think the receiver was swapped after initial assembly by the Finns, it's barrel/receiver number matches:

I've never seen this before

[one finger john]

Did you Google them? (See Hitler's rant) Google knows all.

[81turbota]

Did you Google them? (See Hitler's rant) Google knows all.

Yep, sure did. Gave up after looking at page after page of people wanting to add a scope mount to the poor thing.

That video is hilarious btw

[WeldonHunter]

You'd have to do some detective work looking to see if the impressions of the barreled action match exactly to the stock. Those holes look recent (shiny) and might be someone's attempt at scoping it. It may have worn another stock.

[81turbota]

You'd have to do some detective work looking to see if the impressions of the barreled action match exactly to the stock. Those holes look recent (shiny) and might be someone's attempt at scoping it. It may have worn another stock.

I'll look into it for sure. The best clue I can give now is the butt plate is matched to the rifle, but that's an easy swap.

It just seems odd because the holes are on the downwards curvature of the receiver. Heck...anything is possible with these old Mosins as we see every day. Bubba is always lingering.

[81turbota]

Weldonhunter,
I think it's been wearing this stock for a while. Here are pictures of deep imprints in the stock- the assembly number matches the 3764 in the original post and the 1905 tang date. I cannot see the remnants of any other numbers.

[WeldonHunter]

Well that rules out it being a replacement stock I'd say but it's still entirely possible it was drilled, scoped and in another stock for some other reason. What's the import mark on it? Century?

[81turbota]

Yep, CAI St. Albany stamp underneath the forward portion of the barrel.

I can't discount any possibilities, and the only thing I was initially worried about was safety. The holes do not contact the chamber at all so it should be good to go. The curiosity is still there.

[WeldonHunter]

Yep, CAI St. Albany stamp underneath the forward portion of the barrel.

I can't discount any possibilities, and the only thing I was initially worried about was safety. The holes do not contact the chamber at all so it should be good to go. The curiosity is still there.

Well this is a theory but Century did make fake PU snipers out of Finn rifles back in like the 90s but this one looks to have been drilled more recently. Maybe they started to make this one and for some reason didn't go through with it. I don't know. Keep in mind you're seeing the metal way better than I can with just a picture. All I can say is I've never seen holes like other than being drilled by someone here in the states.

[81turbota]

I agree, I've seen some of the CAI stepchildren, their in house techs could have done anything. My initial thought was the Finns used those holes as a jig to remove the original 1905 barrel, but if that was the case we would see many more examples of these holes. I'm glad it rests in its original (Finn) stock, and it's safe to shoot. I would put a dollar on century, as the rifle hasn't had an initial cleaning. It still has that yellowish hard grease everywhere.

[Lee-online]

Are the holes on the side where a PU would mount? They look more toward the bottom of the receiver.

[qz2026]

Those holes look a little low to me too. Someone screwed up me thinks no matter where it was done. Well, if it's safe to shoot, it is a nice looking rifle. Have fun with it.

[Miller Tyme]

What is the spacing of the holes (center to center) ?

Looks like someone was attempting to put a PU mount on the rifle and gave up.

[81turbota]

Yeah, definitely seems like a scope mount of some sort. If that is the case, kudos to the previous Bubba for returning his failed project to its uncut original stock.

The holes measure 2 3/32" center to center

[bocephus]

Looks like a bubba cut to me, the hole near the 4 is too sloppy for the Finns.

[zeebill]

That was an M91 right? PU scoped M91 from Century? Some one tired and failed to mount a scope and was lucky enough to have the damage below the wood line. I would say. Still may be a great shooter though so who cares what can not be seen? I would clean that with acetone, out of the stock of course and maybe dab some cold blue on there to prevent future rust damage. Then head for the range and enjoy it! Bill

[bunkysdad]

What is the spacing of the holes (center to center) ?

Looks like someone was attempting to put a PU mount on the rifle and gave up.

yep I think so too.

[docbob]

Looks like a Bubba attempt to cash in on the Mosin sniper market.

[81turbota]

That looks to be the general consensus. Thank you bubba for keeping below the wood line. It's thoroughly cleaned, reassembled and looking great. Ready for the range.

Man that thing is long. Hard to get a halfway decent picture of the entire rifle

[Homer2]

At least Bubba was kind enough not to mangle the stock. Should be a nice shooter.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2