At the time of the Russian revolution Finland was under the rule of the Tsar. When Nicholas II was deposed Finland declared its independence and defeated the Russian forces in Finland, but retained stores of arms. With an urgent need to build an army to defend itself from the real threat of Russia and many Mosins already on hand it only made sense to adopt it as the primary rifle. Between WWI and WWII Finland actively traded other types of rifles in their inventory with countries across Europe and Asia for Mosins which they had captured. The condition ranged from serviceable to “parts guns”. With an abundance of spare parts it was only natural to use them to build “new” rifles that could be put to use. From 1922 to 1924 Suomen Ampumataruikehdas made a small number of M91s marked SAT Riihimaki on the barrel shank. In 1925 Finland began production of barrels at Tikkakoski (Tikka) which were assembled into M91 configuration with dates of 1925, 1926, and 1927. The later 1926 and all 1927 barrels were a heavier type with a step near the muzzle to allow the use of the standard bayonet. During the Continuation War Finland also built many M91s with barrels made by Tikka and VKT. Barrel blanks were also purchased from Belgium but were not assembled until post war and are known as "B barrels". (Source)
In 1939 the Finnish Army and Civil Guard adopted a standard rifle known as the M39. It is similar to previous models, but with improved barrel bands and a double sling swivel configuration making it suitable for all types of troops. It is easily recognized by its pistol grip stock although early stocks are "straight" like the M27, M28, and M28/30. M39s were produced by SAKO (Suojeluskuntain Ase ja Konepaja Oy) and VKT (Valtion Kirvaaritehdas) and Tikkakoski M91 barrels were also cut down to build M39s. Some SAKO rifles have the Civil Guard Sk.Y (Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunta) logo and there are also "B" barrels from Belgium although the rifles were assembled in Finland. M39s are well known for their accuracy and were produced for match shooting and training in the late '60s and early '70s. (Source)
The front in front of the first barrel band reminds me of an m1 garand I really like the straight stocked Sako m39 which I was lucky enough to find.The history of the Finnish Mosin...
I have a M39 as well, a 1944 SAKO (Suojeluskuntain Ase ja Konepaja Oy) with a "Boxed SA" Suomen Armeija (Finnish Army) property mark...
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It also oddly has Artillerie Zeugs Fabrik (AZF), an Austrian arsenal mark, on it; and just above that, it appears some other marking was removed. The Finns often removed or defaced the Communist hammer and sickle on captured Mosins, so likely that is what was there...
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It's a very solid rifle. Reminds me a bit of a M1 Garand, albeit a bolt action version of one!
Interesting, wonder if all the M28s are that way?The M28 is a true .308 bore, although the throat can handle .310 bullets as well.