Finish on a Finnish M39?

[DaveTN]

For lack of a project I am going to refurbish a Finnish M39. I’ll do everything myself except for the finish. What finish would this have originally had…. Parkerized? Although it’s part of a military collection, I’m deciding it I want to keep it original as I can; or not worry about it.

I had a local guy put a deep dark high polish blue on a Smith & Wesson Model 19 like what you use to get on them years ago. It turned out great and although not original for this rifle I think it would look awesome. The wood on this rifle is in pretty good shape, very few deep dents or damage to it and I think I can restore it to look new.

The guy that did the blue job also does Parkerizing…. Just trying to decide.

[Garufa]

If you want to keep it original don't do a thing to it.

Looks fine the way it is.

[xd shooter]

Sorry for me asking & I know it is yours & you can do with it as you wish, but why a Finn?

If you are wanting just a project gut I will swap you my Tula M38!

Edited February 7, 2010 by xd shooter

[Guest Broomhead]

The original finish would be what it has now, either browned or blued.

Why not just pick up a 91/30, M44 or M38 to refinish rather than ruin the value of the Finn?

[DaveTN]

Sorry for me asking & I know it is yours & you can do with it as you wish, but why a Finn?

If you are wanting just a project gut I will swap you my Tula M38!

Well I can’t trade it off because a close friend gave it to me when I showed him my collection of military rifles.

I need a project and I don’t want to mess with a Garand, M1 carbine, or a Springfield; that would just be crazy.

After all it is just a Mosin.

[DaveTN]

The original finish would be what it has now, either browned or blued.

Why not just pick up a 91/30, M44 or M38 to refinish rather than ruin the value of the Finn?

It appears to have already been refinished somewhere along the line. Would I be ruining it if I put the proper finish on it?

[Guest Broomhead]

It was probably refinished by the Finns when they captured it, that would be my guess. If you can find the original finish then try it, but keep all the dings and nicks everywhere, would and all. They give the gun character.

Again though, why mess with a Finn? Don't go crazy with buying another firearm but do some refinishing to something a little less valuable. There are a ton of projects that could be had for 100 bucks or less.

[Guest gcrookston]

"...it's just a mosin", I bet that is about what the guy said who sportized my first German sniper rifle, a dual claw mount, all matching bnz2 all matching #... "it's just a mauser"... heck you could buy them back in the 50's-60's from the back of guns magazines for $19.00 for a straight k98k or $39.00 for a sniper (g-43's were $49.00 in 1968).

[1gewehr]

All M39s were blued. If you take the the stock off, you will likely find the blue under the wood to be in excellent condition. Re-bluing will not enhance the value. But if you must do it, do it right and try to match the original color.

[Guest mr_b8908]

I wouldnt do a thing to it if i was you... It would easily cut its value by 50% or more! Also if you do decide to part with it i will take it off your hands, for a fair price of another project i have been looking for one

The proper finish is a beeswax/oil type finish and from a quick glace at your pics it looks to be in a Finnish finsh lol and the bluing seems good to boot, just remember what will be done to it can never be returned to the original finish and value which will only rise if left in original state.

Also you stated that it looks restored/refenished already.... most finnish rifles were built from refinished, NOS russian, and new finnish made mosin nagant parts. There is a decent chance that it may qualify as an antique ( build from a pre-1898 mosin reciever) which is a ++++

Edited February 10, 2010 by mr_b8908