Finnish
Mosin Nagant M91/24
Date: 1939
Calibre 7.62x54

Serial No: 102
Price: £775

Finnish Infantry Rifle M/91-24 "Lotta-rifle"

Heavy Barrel

The infantry rifle m/91-24 was developed for the Finnish Civil Guard based on the M/91 infantry rifle fitted with a new barrel and someother small improvements.

Whilst this was originally a Civil Guard model, during World War 2 it served with the Finnish Armed Forces along with other Civil Guard weapons
which were transferred to the Armed Forces mobilised in 1939.

One of the earliest Finnish rebuilding programs was undertaken by the Civil Guard. The rifles were designated M24 and are the same basic pattern as the Russian M91. The funding for these rifles was raised by the Civil Guard Auxiliary known as the Lotta Svard and they are often known as “Lotta Rifles”. New barrels were purchased from the Swiss firm SIG and from three German firms. The SIG barrels are marked "Schweiz-Industrie Gesellschaft Neuhausen" on the right of the chamber above the woodline. The German barrels are marked "Bohler-Stahl" on the bottom of the barrel with no distinction between makers.

All M24 barrels are undated and have the Civil Guard crest of an S topped with three fir sprigs in a shield on the chamber. All German barrels and the majority of Swiss barrels are heavier than the standard M91 barrel and have a "step" near the muzzle to accommodate a standard bayonet.

This example also has a circular recess which is painted red which indicates if the bolt has the safety applied

Civil Guard Numbers have been cancelled when issued to the army circa 1939

The muzzle has been counterbored - which is common to most Finnish Mosin Nagants

A Rare Rifle in Good Condition

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*** Note: The correct Variation for a Mosin Nagant is "7.62" or "7.62x54". A variation for a "7.62/308" is Not Valid For Mosin Nagants ***
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Finnish soldier photographed in a snow covered forest foxhole holding M/91-24 rifle. Notice stepped heavy rifle barrel.
The soldier is wearing Austrian m/17 steel helmet with field cap under it.
Photograph was taken in Suistamo in the first days of Winter War.

Circular recess which is painted red which indicates if the bolt has the safety applied