This rifle is a 1920 Izhevsk Dragoon that was originally built on an 1896 Tula receiver
by the Soviets. The top flat of the receiver still has the Imperial Eagle mark with
the Soviet Hammer and Sickle just below it. It was subsequently captured or
purchased by Finland and reworked at some point, but not in the same manner that it would
have been in the Soviet Union.. The majority of Dragoons were upgraded to M91/30
specifications by the Soviets after WWII and most examples that escaped the upgrade were
in Finland or other countries. The Hammer and Sickle is scrubbed from the barrel,
but this was done to allow clearance for the rear sight after the 200 meter notch was cut
by the Finns and not to obliterate the symbol or the receiver would be likewise scrubbed.
Besides the original marks, the barrel shank also has the Finnish "41"
and "boxed SA". The "41" is thought to be a rework mark and the
"boxed SA" is a Finnish Army property mark. The bolt is numbered to match
by the Finns and no numbers are present on the floorplate or buttplate.
The original Dragoon rear site is modified with the 200 meter notch, renumbered for
meters and "D" marked to show that the rifle is compatible with that round.
The front sight is a Finnish style notched blade.
The stock is not original to the rifle and shows a rich history itself. The butt
is marked with a large "M" and "410" over "27" while the
comb has a "W". The exact meanings of these are unknown, but there is
speculation that they may be German or Austrian in origin. There is also a Finnish
subcontractor's "L and crossed cannons" mark.
The stock predates the rifle as can be seen by the lack of sling slots. At one
time it was drilled for a simple wire or rope hanger which was later plugged. The
hole is crooked to the point that one side is below the later Finn swivel plate and the
other side behind it.
Another sling arrangement was also used on the stock at some point as evident by two
plugged holes on the bottom of the butt.
More evidence that this is an early Russian stock is the wooden "recoil bolt"
seen partially covered by the later addition of the steel bolt.
There is damage repair to the wrist that could have been caused by a grazing bullet.
If the rifle was shouldered at the time the wound was likely deadly. The
stock is spliced with a Finnish made fore end but retains the solid Dragoon barrel bands.
The magazine has the Finnish "HV" (jamb free) modification, but is not so
marked. The cleaning rod has a very clear pre-1928 Izhevsk arsenal mark.
The stock is shimmed at the recoil lug and both ends of the magazine/trigger guard.
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