Finnish Marked Russian and Soviet Mosin Nagants

Finland acquired many Russian and Soviet Mosin Nagants by various means including capture and purchase.  Not all of them were stripped for parts and rebuilt with Finnish barrels, but were put back into service as they were, or with minor repairs and upgrades.  Sometimes the only means of identifying these rifles is by the Finnish markings, of which there are several.  The most common is the "boxed SA" mark which is an abbreviation of  Suomen Armeija (Finnish Army) and used as a property mark.  Another common mark is the "D" mark, usually found on the chamber, but sometimes on the rear sight base.  This indicates that the throat of the rifle was opened up to allow use of the Finnish D166 round which required more room for the larger ogive of the bullet.  If the rifle was used by the Civil Guard it will have an "S" followed by a number which indicates the Civil Gaurd district it was issued to.  If it has two Ss and a number that is an indication that it was an army rifle that was loaned to the Civil Guard.  Most Civil Guard rifles were transferred to the army when the Civil Guard was disbanded and also have the "boxed SA" mark.  "=S=" is the Civil Guard acceptance mark which sometimes accompanies the S number.  All the Civil Guard marks are less common than the army marks.  "41" is believed to indicate the year 1941, but it's exact meaning is unclear.  It possibly indicates repairs were made at that time.  A truly rare Finnish mark is "PUOLUSTUSLAITOS" meaning "Defense Department" which was only used for two months in 1942 before being replaced with the "boxed SA".  Another uncommon Finnish mark on Russian/Soviet Mosin Nagants is the "3600" pressure proof.   Apparently the Finns questioned the strength of these rifles and felt a need to proof them.  The vast majority of Finnish captured and purchased rifles were not re-proofed.  The pictures below show the various styles and typical locations of the marks.  For the use of the boxed SA mark on Finnish built rifles, see the SA Marked Finnish Mosin Nagants page.

1.  1893 Izhevsk M91  SA mark

2.  1894 Chatellerault M91  SA mark, D mark, courtesy of Peter S.

3.  1894 Chatellerault M91  SA mark, two D marks

4.  1894 Sestroryetsk M91  SA mark

5.  1896 Izhevsk Dragoon  SA mark

6.  1896 Izhevsk M91rv  SA mark

7.  1897 Izhevsk M91 Dragoon  D mark

8.  1900 Tula M91  SA mark

9.  1905 Izhevsk M91  Two SA marks, D mark

10.  1909 Sestroryetsk M91  SA mark, D mark

11.  1915 New England Westinghouse M91 with curved logo  SA mark, D mark

12.  1915 New England Westinghouse M91 with straight logo  SA mark, "double S" Civil Guard number

13.  1915 New England Westinghouse M91 with straight logo  SA mark on receiver, courtesy of "Mike O"

14.  1917 Remington M91  SA mark, "=S=" Civil Gaurd acceptance mark, lined out Civil Gaurd number

15.  1917 Sestroryetsk M91  SA mark, Civil Gaurd number on receiver and bolt

16.  1919 Izhevsk M91 Dragoon  SA mark

17.  1920 Izhevsk M91 Dragoon  SA mark, 41 mark, D mark on rear sight base

18.  1923 Izhevsk M91/30  SA mark, 41 mark

19.  1924 Tula M91  Two SA marks, D mark, 41 mark

20.  1925 Tula Dragoon  Two SA marks, D mark, courtesy of "NWSwede"

21.  1931 Izhevsk Dragoon  SA mark

22.  1932 Izhevsk M91/30  Two SA marks, PUOLUSTUSLAITOS mark, D mark, 41 mark

23.  1933 Izhevsk M91/30  41 mark

24.  1933 Tula M91/30  SA mark

25.  1935 Tula M91/30  SA mark

26.  1935 Tula M91/30  SA mark, D mark, 41 mark

27.  1937 Izhevsk M91/30  SA mark, D mark

28.  1937 Izhevsk M91/30  SA mark, 41 mark

29.  1937 Izhevsk M91/30  SA mark, PUOLUSTUSLAITOS mark, D mark, 41 mark

30.  1941 Izhevsk M38  SA mark

31.  1943 Izhevsk M91/30  SA mark

32.  1943 Tula M91/30  SA mark, 3600 proof

33.  1944 Izhevsk M44  SA mark, courtesy of "Radom"