[dastier]

I recently purchased a Tikkakoski barrelled M27, dated 1928, from an estate sale for $275 CDN. It has the two SA markings on the barrel as well as 'D' and 'F' cartridge stamps and 'AV3' (Arms Depot 3) stamp on the right butt stock. The receiver and barrel finish is the amongst the best I've seen and is a very dark almost black bluing. In fact all the metal is in excellent condition except for the butt stock plate which has deep scratches on it. The bolt is Finn matched to the barrel and has the Tula hammer mark on the body and Izhevsk Bow and Arrow mark on the cocking knob. It has the dreaded bolt connector wings. The stock is two piece in very good condition with the typical Finnish pine tar treatment and prewar/wartime finger spice and a butt stock splice. Bore and barrel are very good and the barrel is not counter bored. Rear sight is marked with a Tula hammer. Front barrel band has the 'popsicle stick' reinforcements.

Overall I'm very pleased with this addition to my small Finnish Mosin Nagant collection (Tikkakoski M91 with Imperial and Czech markings, M24 Lotta - Bohler Stahl, Tikkakoski M27, '41 Sako straight stocked M39).

One question about the rear barrel band (not shown) - the bluing looks blue and is somewhat shiny and I'm not sure about the retaining screw - its round headed. Does anyone have an opinion as to its originality? The bluing on the receiver, barrel, magazine etc is almost blackish.

 

[jindodog]

Nice nutwood stock on that '27! I will go out on a limb and say that the round head screw and rear barrel band have been replaced at some point. Retaining screws vary somewhat and without a picture, it's impossible to say if it is a a genuine Finnish one or not. Beautiful rifle and I wouldn't be bothered by the rear barrel band in the least. The Finns used whatever parts they had on hand to produce functional battle rifles.

 

[USMCsean]

Some parts were made by several subcontractors. Keep in mind, they would have most likely blued these parts themselves, which is why they won't match up with the overall finish of the gun. Also, different metal compositions take finishes differently than others. Perfect example is the purplish color of the "B" barreled M39's that are seen.

 

[Vic]

Can you show us a picture of the band?

 

[sdh1891]

Man yours makes my M27 look like dirt. Very nice find-SDH

 

[dastier]

Thank you for all the replies. Whether original rear band or not, I'm not going to sell this one. I got very lucky, bought it virtually unseen from a firearms retailer in the province where I live that was selling items from an estate sale. There were many good rifles for sale: SAFN 49x2, South American Mausers, Lee Enfields and others - only one Mosin!

Here are some more pics including the rear band. You can see the difference in colour compared to the other metal in the other pics. Also included the bolt connector wings. Please excuse the size of the pics and the quality - I'm only learning to use the software and frankly its a crappy camera that I'm using - no macro feature that I can tell.

Please reply with your opinions on the rear band (or anything else). Thanks, dastier.

 

[dastier]

Man yours makes my M27 look like dirt. Very nice find-SDH

Thanks for the compliment SDH1891 but there's no need to feel that your M27 is any less. My M39 is battered and blue (where it still has bluing) but I bought it because of that - tells me that it was never refurbished even by the Finns. It has a few chunks of wood missing from the stock (maybe from bashing in some enemy heads???) and I like to think that it saw lots of action due to its condition.

 

[keithreid]

don't see anything wrong with the rear band or the screw. In fact, the only thing i can see wrong with the rifle at all is the front end of the handguard, and the splitting there is typical for m27's. nice rifle. Keith

 

[USMCsean]

It's a typical M27 with all the post-1935 upgrades. Looks good.

 

[crudos]

Band looks good. Nice m27, thanks for sharing the pictures.