M28/30 Gunshow find-w/pix

[ThePitbullofLove]

Met a friend at a small gunshow in Lexington, NC that usually turns up some decent stuff for a show of it's size.

As I was coming through the door, my buddy mentioned that there was a Finn 28/30 on one of the tables, but that it was priced at "just under market" price.

I didn't think too much about it until I happened by the table. Yup, there it was, a 1939 dated 28/30. I looked it over, checked the muzzle (nice & tight), and the guy helping the old timer at the table said "Make him an offer!".

Turns out the old fella running the table was getting out of the "gunshow business" due to failing health and was willing to make deals, I guess.

He had the rifle tagged as a "Danish Mosin Nagant M28/30" and was asking $275.

I offered $200 and he took the offer without blinking.

(Maybe I should have said $150)

Anyway, haven't torn it down, but after pushing a ton of black crud out of the barrel, it has a shiny bore, good rifling and no pits:D

Here's a few quick pix with a borrowed camera. Better pix to follow.

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It's about 60-70% blue. No visible pitting. Still has dried cosmo on some of the metal. Stock is solid with no visible cracks.

Even though we live in the land of Finn Mosins, 28/30's are a tough find. Plenty of 28's, 27's, and M39's, but 28/30's are kinda scarce.

Anyway, comments? Questions?

[Dutch Mosin]

Congrats on the find Pittbull.

I think the rifle looks great.

I'd love to have one of those in my collection.

And certainly for that price

I don't know if they are scarce over here, never heard any stories on that.

Just the M39s are hard to find.

Just one question, is that a sling swivel in the front sling slot

I thought the M28/30 didn't have any sling swivels.

I'm no expert....just trying to become one.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

[awo425]

Nice gun!

Got it's twin brother here, will shoot it tomorrow and report here

M39 show up from time to time, but any other finn rifle is harder to get here. Sure Frankonia did sell lota of them, but many got bad russian ammo and now the bores are rusted away

Chirs

[ThePitbullofLove]

Finn rifles are pretty common in my part of the US (the Southeast, NC specifically) largely because a chain of department stores sold boatloads of them cheaply back in the early 80's.

Hence when I hear about other regions of the country paying big $ for Finn Mosins, I'm a bit taken aback, as most can still be found for what some would consider "discount" prices.

28/30's are the toughest to find here in NC. Many, many 27's, the occasional 28, but rarely, and I do mean rarely (this is only the 3rd 28/30 I've seen in 4+ years of gunshows) do these turn up.

As to the swivel, all 28/30's that I've seen before DO NOT have the wire hangers. However, this stock is serialled to the rifle, so who knows. The Finns did some odd things, and just when you say "X rifle never had these", one will turn up.

Anyway, should be an excellent shooter...most of the Finns are. Let us know how yours does at the range!

[awo425]

Range report is already there.

Did you measure teh bore of your M28/30?????

Would be interestet in teh measuremenst for my data base.

The stock of my 1939 one has the last 3 digits of the serial stamped to the left hand side, only one, which has this feature is my ealy M28/30 without barel date on top.

My fist M28/30 was a realy rough one, no date on barrel, dinged up stock and a wire sling swivel in the front solt(which damages the reinforcing plates, had to replace them). But the bore loked like new after cleaning, the barrel is dated in a box on the underside 1932, like on the M28s.

Shoots 1MOA, if I do my part, used it in some competitions

Now I am up to 5 M28/30, more to come for sure

Chris

[Dutch Mosin]

Pittbull, you're very right about the Finns doing some odd things to their rifles.

Checked the book by Karl-Heinz Wrobel and found a picture of a M28/30 WITH slingswivels.

I just love those Finnish weapons.

When you think you've seen them all, you find something new.

I think this is a great hobby.

@ Chris

5 28/30's

Don't forget to give me address Chris when I have my papers.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin

[lmc1016]

Dutch Mosin>> how are you Martin? man, you never see any Finn's in Texas. Military Gun Supply has them occasionally, but for a small fortune. found my one M-39 @ the gun show in San Antonio this year. just happened to be there on vacation. convenient how that worked, huh?

[Dutch Mosin]

Hey Michael, good to hear from you again.

How are things over there in Texas???

Are the wife and kids OK???

Bought your M39 on vacation huh.

I wish I had that kind of luck on my vacations.

You don't find many Finns over here in the Netherlands either.

In fact, you are very lucky to find a Mosin Nagant at all.

If you see one on a range it's almost always a M39.

If I want to buy a Mosin Nagant I cross the border into Germany.

Got more luck over there.

BTW, had any luck with the Romanian PSL ???

Met vriendelijke groet,

Martin