1943 SA Marked Tula M91/30

Although Finland captured and purchased large numbers of Soviet M91/30s during the Winter War and Continuation War, some stand out with unique features or combinations of features. This particular example has several, the most obvious being the 1943 date. By this time the Continuation War front was stabilized and far fewer rifles were being captured by Finland. During the final push by the Soviet Union there were even less opportunities to acquire Soviet materiel. This rifle's receiver dates back much further though as it is the pre-1936 hexagonal pattern with a Tsarist era eagle still visible on the top flat. Upon examination of the bottom of the tang only a partial Tula star is visible. While it would be nice to have an original date and arsenal mark this star is significant as it shows that the barrel was installed on this receiver in the Soviet Union and not Finland.

In spite of the lack of marks on the bottom of the tang the receiver's origin can be traced to Chatellerault by the small marks on the side of the tang. It's still not possible to date it exactly but since Chatellerault only produced Mosins from 1892 to 1895 the range is narrowed. It is also a legal antique under US firearm law.

Finnish marks include the typical "boxed SA" on the barrel shank and a less common "3600" pressure proof. Typically Finland did not re-proof captured rifles and it's possible they felt the need to with this one because of the older receiver. The rear sight base is the older type that is not pinned to the barrel. That method of attachment began in the Soviet Union in 1943 and most earlier rifles were retrofitted later. Finland did not use the pins on the rear sight base so they were never added to this rifle.

The Finnish stock is an uncommon pattern also. Many Finnish captured/purchased M91/30s retain their original stocks or have the fore end replaced at most. Tikka M91/30s often have newly made stocks but they are usually of a wartime pattern with rounded finger joints at the splice. This stock is a post-war "transitional" pattern with the tapered finger joints. Even the finish, or lack thereof, is reminiscent of the later M39 stocks. In fact, the cleaning rod retaining nut is the large M39 pattern rather than the smaller M91/30 pattern usually seen.

The final uncommon feature is the Finnish made cleaning rod with the elongated head as seen in the picture at the top of the page. While this rod pattern is typical on M39s and common on M91s it is seldom seen in the M91/30 length.

Thank you to "Tuco" of Gunboards.com for the opportunity to acquire this rifle.

Return to Mosin Nagant Virtual Museum