Finn M/39 Question

[Todd1700]

I am a newbie to the world of Milsurp collecting and am more of a shooting collector than a serious historical collector. That being the case I spend most of my time here not posting but reading and trying to learn a thing or two. But I ran into something today and I need some advice.

Most of the local gun shops here rarely if ever have any military surplus rifles on the rack. So I was surprised when I walked into one local shop today and saw a Finn M/39 hanging on the wall. Now it is not in good shape. Most of the original blueing is gone but on close inspection I did not see any rust or pitting either. The stock looks pretty poor as well. Most of the M/39 stocks I have seen online are light colored but this one is very dark and seems to have a thick coat of dark shellac on it. It's also pretty dinged up. But it is not cracked and has not been bubbafied as far as it's original shape is concerned. The bore has good riflings but appeared dirty and needs cleaning. I did not see any pitting.

Here's the deal. The asking price is only 90 bucks. And my question is of course "Is a M/39 even in this condition worth at least 90 bucks?" The guy who runs this place is a nice guy but doesn't know a lot about military surplus rifles. I'm betting he thinks this rifle is a standard Russian MN. Is it worth getting this rifle to see how it might clean up and shoot? Would trying to clean up the stock and perhaps even reblueing the reciever and barrel be considered a blashphemy by you guys? Thanks for any help or opinions on the subject.

 

[Cosmoline]

Yes. In a heartbeat, yes. If it hasn't been bubbafied it is worth twice that much. Even CRACKED they sell for more than that. The dark "shellac" is probably not shellac at all but a characteristic dark stain on wartime Finnish Mosins. I would only suggest cleaning it up if the grain is unprotected and it's really dirty. The better approach is to wipe off the dirt and grime then give them a protective wax coating.

With more info on the markings you can find out exactly what kind of M39 it is, but in the mean time I'd advise snagging it before they fix the mistake.

It actually sounds like it's in fine shape, typical for a wartime M39. They rode the rifles hard but took good care of them, too. So you're unlikely to find pitting or other signs of abuse. There is no need to reblue the receiver. The M39's have frequently lost some blue from their service in the Continuation War. But the steel is not unprotected. There's a nice patina on it. A modern reblue will look awful and ironically make it less protected against rust. I've taken Finns with 20% blue out in pouring rain with nary a spot of rust afterwards. Just wax them down a bit and they do fine.

 

[Ash]

This one went to war and survived to tell the tale. And that could have been more than once. The receiver could have been in the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Revolution, or even the Allied invasion of Russia.

Yours will either be VKT or SAKO. Don't reblue because it will reduce its value while doing nothing to make it shoot better. It was well-used but you will probably note it was well-cared for.

Ash

 

[GD]

The rifle is worth at least double that amount. Even in condition worse than what you described. I haven't seen one for sale in the last year for under $225. I have 6 M39's in various conditions and everyone of them is a tackdriver. The Finns made sure every one shot under 1.5 MOA. Actually, there are quite a few different makers/types - SAKO, VKT, SKy, Tikka, B-barrel, and the sneaks. The Tikkas are generally worth over $450. $90 is definitely a steal.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, but Tikka's, B's, and "sneaks" are all post war and so will not be in a Winter/Lapland war condition. It could be SkY marked, but that still means its a SAKO. So, it will either be a VKT or SAKO made rifle. Though, it is important to know what it is marked. If it is SkY marked, it is rare (slightly more than 10,000 made, ever) and should by NO MEANS refinished. But, then, I would say that for any M39. If the finish isn't what you like, there are many which are in like-new condition.

Ash

 

[KI.W.]

http://mosinnagant.net & http://mosinnagant.net/finland/finnish_mosin_nagantm39.asp

 

[308sc]

post a picture when you get it!

 

[Gord]

And if you don't get it, ask if they'll ship!

 

[Todd1700]

Thanks for the advise. I will jump on it first thing in the morning and leave it "as is."

 

[Gord]

We expect pics.