That 41 mark on Finn Nagants

[Niner]

Saw a post at another site and it got me to thinking. There are a couple of close, but not exactly definitive possibilities as to what the 41 mark was supposed to represent.

Here is one from Njanear's M91/30 Collection :

Found stamped on the right side of the barrel shank parallel to the stock, this is thought to be a Finnish Arsenal mark indicating that the particular rifle was captured during the Continuation War (1939 to 1940) and/or was stored in the Finnish Arsenal for future issue in 1941.

At 5.62x54r.net a shorter, cloudy, though at the same time less speculative statement:

"41" is believed to indicate the year 1941, but it's exact meaning is unclear. It possibly indicates repairs were made at that time.

The Mosin-Nagant.net version goes like this:

There is an interesting marking that appears on these Finnish captured rifles, and it is a marking that has been debated a bit in collector's circles. This marking is a 41 and this marking appears on various Soviet rifles captured and re-issued to the Finns. Many have speculated this 41 represents the year 1941, so it was in 1941 that the rifles were reworked. Others have stated they have seen or own rifles that have dates later than 1941 that have this marking. As such I have never seen one with a date later than 1941. It can be rather safely assumed the 41 is indeed for the year 1941. It could indicate the year of rework or could have another meaning related to the year; however, this is not a common marking and it is possible it was only used for a short time in 1941. The Finns were indeed "experimenting" a bit with property markings in this time period, and this could well just be another example of this. Many that subscribe to the 41 as a date feel that rifles so marked can be identified as Winter War captures. That is not to say that all Winter War captures are so marked, just that some of the Finnish stockpile from the Winter War are identifiable in this manner. Whatever the meaning of the marking might be, the 41 stamped M91/30's are a nice addition to one's collection.

Whatever, I have a 91/30 dated 1939 with the mark. It would have been made just in time for the Russians to lose as a capture in the war with the Finns. Thought I'd take a few snaps, having nothing better to do at the moment.

The rifle has a matching bolt, not forced matched, and the stock has been replaced with the Finn finger groove stock at some juncture.

However the 41 definition could use a little less speculation and more clarification as time goes on. Although for the Finns to get a 1939 Russian rifle by 1941, if that is a year, it would pretty much have to have been captured it would seem to me. However, the stock has definately been replaced by the Finns from the Russian one it must have been orignally equiped with.

[TaosBob101]

That could be mine if the stock was different. I always thought is was the "re-work " year ? Mine has a nice Pot-belly stock ,globe sight, matching ( might be forced) ?, But it is a war rifle for sure ( counter-bored/no real blue left )

I thought mine was Winter War capture, reworked before Continuation War. I like to see a Russian made w/ "41" after 1941 on the revc.

Mine, SAMCO import, from the old outfit that when out of biz in Minn 18mos ago or so. Used to sell kits, Port G-3 kits. RC K98's. C&R stuff

100bucks ...box was free

[Niner]

Mine came from a gun show ten years ago. I bought it for less than $100. It shoots real good as I remember. I'll have to remember to take it with me to the range next time I go.

There are still a lot of things about Nagants we don't know and may never know. You would think people who bothered to put stamps on things would take the time to write down exactly what the stamp stood for and leave it recorded some place.. It shouldn't be as difficult as trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics should it?.... On second thought, someone has figured out how to read hieroglyphics.

[tuco]

"

However the 41 definition could use a little less speculation and more clarification as time goes on"

The problem is no one seems to know so all we have is speculation. Even in researching this in Finland no one has come up with an answer. Most that I have spoken with there do seem to feel it is a date but have no idea as to why it was added.