[Ruprecht]

My fifth "Lotta Rifle" and probably not the most accurate (counterbored). Sits in a one -piece Russian stock dated 1915 under the buttplate. Some interesting patches near the rear of the receiver and damage on the left side with something appearing to have struck the wood just below the stock reinforcing bolt, grazing the head of that, hitting the wood again, before marring the (box SA). Virtually none of the M91/24 improvements on this (trigger, rear sight plate, upper band cross-pin) and no way to tell if it came that way or they were lost during later refurb after going to the Army. The serial stamped on the bolt knob would suggest refurb. Receiver and mag housing are N.E.W. Trying to remember if I've seen the old Arshin scale on the right side and metric on the left.

What I'm curious about is the distinct lack of Civil Guard numbers on this rifle (compared to many). There is only the single number on the top of the barrel (with no "S" prefix), and no lined out number on the left barrel shank. The only other thing I noticed was a 4 digit number on the underside of the barrel shank (different from that on top), which I believe is normal for these early ones. Anyone seen similar numbering on a straight barrel? I guess it simply lived its entire life in one district prior to the Winter and Continuation Wars?

....

....

....

....

....

....Closeup of damage on left side.

....

Ruprecht

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Is it my imagination Bill, or did Martti mention rifles with no Civil Guard numbers one time?
It certainly has the look we both so enjoy!
Is it coming up to shoot the course this weekend!?
I gather you have tried it out. What ammo if I may?
A grand rifle full of character!

Best,
R.

 

[Ruprecht]

Richard: No, this one hasn't made it to the range yet. It's one of those ones that turn up that appear to not have been thoroughly cleaned out since importation many years ago. Lots of fossilized grease. The M28/30 will be doing the shooting this weekend with something else thrown in the Jeep for backup. I've managed to use a different Finn rifle at each get-together- 2 Lottas, 2 M27's and this year the 28/30. But it won't really matter if you are shooting like last year- first shot hit at what- was it 500m?

Bill

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Bill,
I am torn on which to use, but have only one Lotta and think it will likely win!
If you had room, I'd dearly love to see this new one.
If we shoot to 7 or 800m this time, it will make the 500m target look easy!
Hopefully Martti will chime in on this one.
Can I ask how the bore looks?

 

[Ruprecht]

Can I ask how the bore looks?

Richard: The bore is quite good other than having a longer than average counterbore. I'm not going to expect too much from it. An M91/24 that I used to own (the heavy barrel type of SIG) had a shorter CB and the best it could do was to keep 10 shots in a 2" by 2" square at 100m. That was the rifle I used at your first Simho shoot and I don't recall scoring very well at longer ranges. It also was a full-on refurb with regular trigger and rear sight in a late 2-piece stock.

Bill

 

[Mangrove]

What I'm curious about is the distinct lack of Civil Guard numbers on this rifle (compared to many).

Although the conventional wisdom is that only the Civil Guard used m/24, m/28 and m/28-30 rifles pre-war and that only the Finnish Defence Forces used the m/27 rifles, this is not true by any means. There were other government agencies that used these rifles and made their own modifications. These variants are not covered in the existing literature and I am still researching them.

 

[w38_55]

My straight barrel SIG 91/24 has a small "S 485" on the barrel (not lined out). It's also the most accurate Mosin I have shot.

 

[Ruprecht]

w38_55: That's interesting to hear. Is yours in an early stock without shims? Does it have upgrades like the rear sight plate and spring on the trigger?

Ruprecht

 

[w38_55]

w38_55: That's interesting to hear. Is yours in an early stock without shims? Does it have upgrades like the rear sight plate and spring on the trigger?

Ruprecht

It is a finger spliced stock. Not sure about shims or trigger spring. It does have the screwed in rear sight blade. Also has a civil guard number (S 42622) on the left receiver flat where more recent importers have put their banners, that number is not on the barrel. Bolt is marked 2622.

 

[JTV]

There were other government agencies that used these rifles and made their own modifications. These variants are not covered in the existing literature and I am still researching them.

That is really excellent news.

Attached photo: Parade of Finnish Police in Senate Square (in Helsinki) in year 1931. Photographed by Pietinen. Provided by Museovirasto and acquired via finna.fi. Rifles see may have been basic infantry (long) rifles M/91 or something else.

 

[FGD135]

I have a two-digit SN M24, which has a SIG non-stepped barrel, with one struck-thru Civil Guard number and another added, also marked "KL.P" on the barrel, built on a 1917 Sestroretsk receiver, in a New England Westinghouse well marked stock. it's not counterbored, and the bore is in very good condition, measuring .302"/.311". The rear sight base is still in Arshin and not renumbered. Headspace is good, as my notes show it does not close on a "no-go" gauge.
I've not fired this rifle in nearly years, since right after acquiring it, so am not familiar with it's accuracy, but I rarely have bad shooting experiences with Finn rifles that have decent bores.
My other M24s, and heavy barrel Army M91s, have stepped barrels.
Btw, this was part of a Century Arms UFixem purchase, with two other rifles, for about $29 each with free shipping...my notes say the only problem with the rifle was a cracked handguard, which I replaced.