Original Antique Finnish Captured Mosin-Nagant M/91 Infantry Rifle by Izhevsk Arsenal serial 34546 – dated 1897 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. These are so very rare, and this is the few examples that we have seen in quite some time. A real pre-1898 Antique Russian Mosin-Nagant M1891 Full Length Rifle, more officially referred to as the “Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891.” This particular one was later refit in Finland to the Finnish M/91 Mosin-Nagant standard, where the 1897 dated Izhvesk Arsenal made receiver was fitted with a new barrel and stock. It has lots of issue markings, as well as serial number 34546, which is on barrel and bolt. The right side of the barrel is marked with SA inside a rectangle, for Suomi Armeija (Finnish Army).

The Russian “Mosin-Nagant” bolt-action rifle is arguably the most-produced rifle in history, with around 37 million being produced in various versions in several different countries. This number easily surpasses the Lee-Enfield, Mauser GEW98 and Mauser K98K in number produced. The reasons for this are multiple, including both the size of Russia and later USSR, as well as the long service life of this design, which is still in use today in some locations.

The history of what is known as the “Mosin-Nagant” rifle begins in the late 19th century in Russia, following the Russo-Ottoman war. During the course of the war, it became apparent that Russian troops needed a modern bolt-action rifle to compete with the rest of the world, so they started evaluations in 1889 on what would become the general issue rifle for infantry troops. Three designs were submitted, and at the time in Russia bullet diameter was measured in “line”s, where one line was 1/10 of an inch. This is what gave rise to the official name of the rifle, the “3-line rifle, Model 1891”, as it was in .30cal, or 7.62mm. The name “Mosin-Nagant” is in reality somewhat of a misnomer, as the design chosen was designed by Mosin, not Nagant. However due to legal issues with Nagant over certain design aspects of the rifle, his name was attached to the design as well, leading to the name used in most of the world, the “Mosin-Nagant Model 1891”. Three other models would subsequently be put into service prior to WWI: the M1891 Dragoon, the M1891 Cossack, and the M1907 Carbine.;

When Finland achieved independence from Russia, over 190,000 Model 1891 infantry rifles were already stockpiled in the ex-Russian military depots within Finland. As a result, the rifle was adopted as the standard Finnish Army weapon, and surplus Mosin–Nagants were purchased from other European nations which had captured them during World War I. The official designation of these were “3-линии пехотная винтовка образца 1891–го года” which translates to “Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891”. These rifles were then overhauled to meet Finnish Army standards and designated M/91.

This entailed replacing the stock with a new one, constructed from two pieces of wood with a glued finger joint in the middle. The new stock featured traditional sling swivels fitted into escutcheons, instead of the slots used on the Russian types. This example has both intact, and is even fitted with a very nice Finnish Issue sling. Unlike other examples we have seen, this rifle also had the barrel replaced with a Finnish produced example during WWII. This is definitely a rifle with history!

As with most, this example has the cross bolt to reinforce the stock against recoil, and the rear sight correctly goes up to 3200 arschini, an archaic measurement used by Russia through the first world war. Roughly equal to 71.12 cm, the ranges on the left side of the sight have been crossed out, and new measurements in meters added in hundreds of meters (12 x 100 arshíny = 8 1/2 x 100m). It does however look like a carbine sight base was used with a rifle sight leaf, as it only goes up to “6” on the left side. The M/91 was the most widely issued Finnish rifle in both the Winter War and the Continuation War.

The receiver displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle across the chamber ring over Cyrillic letters Л К,, indicating production prior to the revolution. The barrel however is Finnish, and has the “T” in a Triangle inside a Circle marking of Oy Tikkakoski Ab, or “Tika”, a manufacturer of sewing machines that was purchased by a German armsdealer Willi Daugs in 1930. It then began manufacturing arms, and this is the marking seem on M91 rifle barrels produced during 1940 – 1944. Below the maker mark is the serial number 34546 and manufacture date of 1942.

The receiver marking is not visible unless it is removed from the stock, which we have done to be sure that this is indeed an antique. The rear underside of the receiver tang is marked with a Bow and Arrow over 1897, which indicates original manufacture in 1897 at Izhevsk arsenal, a major producer of Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. The factory itself was founded in 1807 at the request of the Czar, and continues to manufacturer small arms do this day.

Condition of the rifle is very good, especially considering the age and amount of service it must have seen. The stock is in good condition, though it does look to have been arsenal refinished at least once, and now has a lovely brown color. The metalwork looks great, having been arsenal refinished during WWII in Finland. The bolt is still the correct bright steel, with a bit of staining on the handle. It still retains the original cleaning rod, which is in great shape, and still threads correctly into the stock retaining block.

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire. The bore is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish, showing just a bit of rounding on the grooves. The first half inch of the barrel closest to the muzzle has been counterbored, thought to improve accuracy by removing worn lands at the muzzle.

A wonderful piece of Firearms and European History! Made in Russian in 1897, and then later used against them by Finland during the WWII Era. Ready do display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: 7.62×54mmR Russian
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 31 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 5 Round Internal