Finnish M28 Ski Patrol Rifle - RI4381C - Mosin Nagant, Model 1928 Rifle 7.62x54R - C&R Eligible

In the 1920s, Finland began to re-evaluate the M1891 Mosin Nagant as the country's primary infantry arm. Originally purchased in Russia, these rifles were beginning to show their age. Rather than replace the rifle entirely, a program of refurbishment and updating the rifle began in 1924 with the Civil Guard's M24, essentially an M91 with a heavier foreign-made barrel and updated sights. But, following the trends at the time for shorter handier rifles, both the Army and the Civil Guard then began experimenting with designs to improve the M91 rifle.

The Army fielded the updated M27, with a shorter barrel than the M91, improved front sight with protective ears and a rugged new nose cap, and reinforced rear sight with a replaceable sighting plate. The Civil Guard introduced its own updated design a year later in 1928, designated the M28. It shared many of the M27's design features, but with some notable differences. While the M27 had an elaborate and expensive nose cap designed to lock the handguard in place, the M28 employed a milled front band reminiscent of the Mauser Gewehr 98 front band. The M28 made use of a rear sight design without the reinforcing tabs of the M27 and a different method of attaching a replaceable sighting plate. Barrels were provided primarily by SIG and Tikkakoski, with less than 100 Sako-produced barrels being used at the end of production

The Ski Patrol rifles are a variant of the M28 designed for ski-mounted infantry troops. The rifles feature a second escutcheon in the stock so the sling can be rigged to carry the rifle more securely when slung, so the soldier can have both hands free. The M28 is already one of the rarer variants of Mosin Nagant with only 33,000 being produced, making these Ski Patrol rifles even more of a rarity to find. Of note is the fact that even to the day the Finnish M28 and M28-30 rifles are considered to be some of the most accurate military rifles ever produced. No collection is complete without one. Important note - all of the rifles listed under this SKU or available in the custom options will have either a minor non-function inhibiting crack in the stock or will be missing a minor non-vital part. See further details below.