M39: Winter Warrior

[Phosphorus32]

The Finns made the nicest looking Mosins and I think the M39s were the best looking of them all.  If you don't like Mosins, you may not have tried an M39 ... running-man    I like the pistol grip stock, the pine tar based finish that they used, and the design of the barrel bands. 

The sights are better with a windage adjustment on the front sight and calibrations from 150 to 2000 meters on the rear sight.  The rear also has finer divisions for the lower ranges.  These have a nice two stage trigger that is somewhat lighter and crisper than the typical Russian 91/30.  Mine has a consistent 5 lb 10 oz trigger pull for the second stage.  The trigger on this example has an "arrow B" stamp indicative of Remington manufacture. 

This M39 was made in 1942 by Sako and the barrel is assembled to a 1900 Izhevsk receiver, which would have had to come from a captured M91.  All of the ~400,000 Finnish Mosin Nagant based rifles were made on captured Russian receivers.  Sako made about 70,000 (if you add in the 10,500 Sk.Y. marked) of the 100,000 M39s.  The barrel has the SA (Suomi Armeijen, Finnish Army) property stamp and the proof mark 3600 split by the Sako emblem.

The stock is of WWII manufacture since it has the rounded finger joint rather than the transitional triangular or post-war square joint.  Also, the stock was made by Sakara Oy as indicated by the S in the crossed-cannons cartouche.  It's interesting that the 1900г and the Izhevsk bow and arrow are embossed onto the wood from the tang, which indicates that it's been in this stock for a long time. 

This rifle is known as "Finn matched", in that the bolt is scrubbed and re-stamped with the last four digits of the serial number.  The magazine floor plates are often scrubbed or lined-out and stamped with the Finnish SN but mine retains the original Russian number.  Since it's preceded by two Cyrillic letters, this part, must have come from a captured M91/30.  The pre 1928 Tula Hammer on the trigger guard suggests that the magazine floor plate is not original to the trigger guard/magazine well.  The bolt body is Sestroryetsk (arrow) and the other parts are Tula though the connector and cocking piece are hammer marked (used until 1928) and the bolt head has the Tula star (post '28). 

So let's see, we have parts from Tula, Izhevsk, Sestroryetsk, Remington, Sako and Sakara Oy.  Yup, it's a Finn!

Got it out to the range today and really enjoyed it, despite a 30+ mph cross-wind with gusts to 45, I still hit the 250 yd gong a couple of times.  An honest assessment of accuracy will have to await a calmer day when I can actually keep my body and the rifle still 










Sestroryetsk arrow on the bolt body (odd blue cast due to taking this shot in twilight)









Some 1944 Finnish 7.62x53R ammo, yes, the case length is ~0.5mm shorter than 7.62x54R (just for my collection, not for shooting)

[Greasemonkey]

 drool1 drool1. Now, we need to find you a straight stock M39 .   They are easy enough 

I like it.

[Dannyboy53]

That's a good looking rifle Phosphorus. How did the manufactures get that stripe effect on the wood, or is that natural?

[Loose}{Cannon]

Pistol grip mosin!!    Jk.   Believe the stock is more of a "C" stock then a regular mosin.   

Looks great man....   may have to get me one/fifteen of these someday.   

[Greasemonkey]

That's a good looking rifle Phosphorus. How did the manufactures get that stripe effect on the wood, or is that natural?

Arctic birch and pine tar finish. Pine tar was the normal stock finish, and depending on the stock, would greatly enhance the stripe effect.

[Dannyboy53]

Thanks Greasemonkey. It didn't look like natural grain but I wasnt sure!

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks guys!

Birch is notorious for staining differentially and the cut can add to that effect.  The tiger striping was one of the things that clinched my pick of this particular M39.  The pine tar/turpentine based finish on these Finnish rifles is definitely more durable and water repellent than that of the Russian Mosins.  The finger joints really indicate the excellent carpentry skills of the stock makers. Apparently they were made that way to resist warping of the thinner foreend in the cold and damp conditions common to Finland (Suomi).  The routing inside the stock is exceptional as well, very clean! 

The sling swivels are cool too.  Sling bar in the butt stock and side swivel on the barrel band for cavalry and ski troops to sling them across their backs. Bottom swivels for infantry to carry on the shoulder.

It's funny that the straight stock versions of the M39 are the rarities; relatively few were made that way early in production.  But when you consider that almost all of the other 37 million Mosins are in straight stocks   



I also have a Sk.Y. contract Sako on the way

[Stoned_Oli]

Thanks Greasemonkey. It didn't look like natural grain but I wasnt sure!

Birch does tend to tiger stripe naturally, if as said it is cut properly. Here is a butt stock I put on my MAK 90 that is just stained with alcohol based dye and Tru-Oiled.



That is a beautiful M 39. I agree that the M 39 is definitely the most beautiful Mosin there is, and finding the Sestroyetsk arrow is icing on the cake!

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks Stoned-Oli. Great job on that Mak-90 stock!

[Dannyboy53]

Great job on that Mak-90 stock!

Absolutely!

[Stoned_Oli]

Aw, shucks... that's just the good side! 

[Greasemonkey]

It's funny that the straight stock versions of the M39 are the rarities; relatively few were made that way early in production.  But when you consider that almost all of the other 37 million Mosins are in straight stocks   
I also have a Sk.Y. contract Sako on the way

A SK.y contract Sako  

Then, one of these, right

[Phosphorus32]

Then, one of these, right

Yes. Preferably one marked  Puolustuslaitos 

[Blicero]

Your propensity toward garnering Legend status in the Mosin realm is troublesome to me. But whatever. Some folks just have to have bad taste. Get it out of your system, I say.

I'm just yanking your crank. That is a fine piece of hardware. Let's do a m39 shootout. I know there are at least 5 members who have one.

[Greasemonkey]

Your propensity toward garnering Legend status in the Mosin realm is troublesome to me. But whatever. Some folks just have to have bad taste. Get it out of your system, I say.

I'm just yanking your crank. That is a fine piece of hardware. Let's do a m39 shootout. I know there are at least 5 members who have one.

Yup, old P32 sure is showing off.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I can make his name show up pink at the bottom of the index.....   all in favor?

[Blicero]

He just sent me a pm asking to trade him all my Mosins for all his Mausers. He said Mausers are overbuilt overpriced trash meant for the pig bourgeoisie. Sheesh what a Mosin snob.

Give him a Hello Kitty avatar! with a sig that says "Stalin is my homeboy, we honor him all, exultant leader, our savior, giver of light"

[Loose}{Cannon]

 

Pinky Phos

[Phosphorus32]

Blicero, Pinocchio, same difference 

Hey, wait,  the Finns fought the Red Menace! How come I'm a Rasputin murdering Lenin Loving pinko 

Pinky Phos

Alright you got me on red phosphorus 

[running-man]

 

That's hilarious stuff right there!  Poor P32!  Even I have to admit that it's a nice looking gun…even if it is a canoe paddle.  I dunno Kevin, I think Mausers are overpriced too.  How much of a premium should they have over a Mosin Nagant?