Info on Finnish M39 with Pictures...

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Kestrel

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Okay, here are the pictures for the rifle I posted about in the other thread. I'm just starting a new thread, because I have to attach each image in a separate message, for some reasson. (I also tried hosting them on ImageStation, but couldn't get it to link properly.)

After seeing other ones on the Internet, I realized this one is not in perfect shape, but it's pretty good.

(Please excuse all the pictures.)

If you have any info on what this thing is, I would appreciate it!

Thanks again for all the help,
Steve

(Barrel shank - with last three numbers blurred)
 
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(try again...)

Here's the front (top) of the bolt.
 
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Receiver (with last three numbers blurred)...
 
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Side of rear sight (with last numbers blurred)...
 
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Stock dovetail...

(I don't think I've ever seen a dovetailed stock on a rifle.)
 
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This is the tag that the former owner had put on the rifle...

(Front side)
 
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(Last picture)

This is the back of the tag...
 
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Let me start by saying I don't have all the answers, but let me tell you what I can. . .;)


Front of trigger guard...
Click to expand...

Arrow in triangle means Izhevsk (Soviet) manufacturer (watch out for ghost of old Soviet soldier coming back to reclaim part of his weapon. . . :p ).



Rear of bolt, from top...
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Star (should have arrow in star but not stamped hard enough :rolleyes: ) means Tula (Soviet) manufacturer cocking piece, so watch out because there is going to be more than one old ghost. . .:eek: .


Top of receiver tang...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure here, but on my 1944 VKT, I had to take the rifle apart and look at the underside of the area you show in the picture to confirm it was indeed a 1894 Chat receiver. I also don't know what the Izhevsk symbol for this is gonna look like, but if the previous owner is correct, it will at least have the 1934 date on it.



Side of barrel shank...
Click to expand...

My "B" barrel (barrel made in Belgium) M39 has the same "3600" barrel proof mark on it so I always assumed "3600" was some kind of designation for the "B" barrels, but yours doesn't look like a "B" barrel (although if your barrel color slowly changes from blued to a nice rich patina, I take it back ;) ). On the regular Sako's , there would be a "S" inside a gearwheel here, but with these later production ones I honestly don't know :( .



Stock dovetail...
Click to expand...

All the M39's have a stock like this or similiar (number, size, and shape of "fingers" varys) but it is correct, as they are designed that way to make them more durable and useful in extreme cold. BTW, no markings on stock? Cross-cannons cartouches or "S"-in-gearwheel?

Sorry I can't answer the big question ("Is it a Sako?") but I HTH :eek: .
 
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Beetle Bailey,

Thanks for the info. I didn't see any kind of logo on the stock or other markings. What is a "B" barrel? What does that mean?

By the way, what does "HTH" mean?

Thanks again for all the help,
Steve
 
HTH means "hope this helps" ;) 'cuz I tend to be a bit long-winded and sometimes still fail to answer the question :rolleyes: .

Quick history of the "B" barrel M39's: In 1942 the Nazis were in control of Belgium and so had access to, among other things, their small arms factories. Meanwhile, the Finns were fighting the Soviets again so the Nazis decided that "We have a common enemy, so let's help the Finns." They shipped the Finns captured Russian Mosin Nagants (which the Finns either put into immediate service, reworked and put into service, or made into spare parts) as well as the Belgium-made barrels maked with a "B". Some of these "B" barrels were eventually made into M39's. These barrels slowly changed color over the years from blue to a nice reddish-brown sometimes called "patina". There are a few theories as to why, but the explanation I like is that the high nickel content of the blueing slowly oxidated (sp?) to make the color like that. On mine, the color on the parts of the barrel under the stock isn't as rich or pronounced as the front and back of the barrel. Do you know the character "Ginger" from Guilligan's Island? The color is like her hair. It's just a neat little variation of a nice rifle that makes it kinda cool looking, with a bit of history attached ;) . I'm technically challenged, but will try to figure out a way to get some pictures up, eventually.
 
Not all Bs have oxidized to plum; the only thing plum on mine is the rear sight elevation slide.
 
SteveW13 I just saw Cosmoline's post on your other M39 thread and posted a reply. Also, the right-angle "fingers" on your stock indicate a "post-war" stock, which at this point is just a conversation piece if someone asks you about the rifle. BTW, all this Mosin Nagant stuff I've been looking at recently thanks to you is making me think of getting another one :rolleyes: . I'm supposed to be saving up for a BHP (or FN, haven' t decided) :uhoh: .

Not all Bs have oxidized to plum; the only thing plum on mine is the rear sight elevation slide.
Click to expand...

Bill Hook You gotta breathe on the barrel, really hard :neener: . Yeah, my rear sight elevation slide looks normal, but on my 1944 VKT, the rear sight elevation slide is "plum" colored, but also a bit weathered looking. Darn science and nature, why can't they get their act together and make me a rifle that looks right?

I'm with Nightcrawler, you can't just tease us with bits and pieces. . .
 
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