Found a nice Finn Sling today

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Bryan 45	Found a nice Finn Sling today	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2360 (12/31/08 02:56 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I found a nice condition SkY marked sling at a local shop today. It's marked SkY on the leather tab that attaches to the forearm sling hanger. The buttstock end has a steel buckle. I don't know what they're worth, but I thought it was a neat item. The sling was attached to this Westinghouse M91 w/ SA markings. I think I overpaid for the sling, but they threw the rifle in with it. As you can see, the stock has a round recessed area, but nothing in it. Was this a Finn modification or something the previous owner did? The bolt matches and the bore is getting better. It's going to be kind of shiney, but it is a little pitted. Metal is only about 40% finish, but I don't see any pitting on it. The stock has it's fair share of dings and scratches, but I think it's walnut, so it's likey original, right? It has a faint cartouche on the left side of the butt that is a circle w/ lettering around the inside of it, but I can't make out the letters. There is also a 2 stamped right behind the action on the top of the stock. Handguard is clearly a replacement. The receiver is marked: K in a circle eagle New England Westinghouse Company 1915r D 900861 (and a symbol that looks kind of like pie --3.14, not the kind you eat)
zeebill		#1	[-]
Posts: 3410 (12/31/08 04:40 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	The recessed area once held a Finnish unit disc made of brass more than likely and they were removed by the Finns so that Russians could not tell what units they were facing if they captured the rifle or it's owner. The swivels are referred to as Finnish sling swivels and are considered part of the rifle and getting very hard to find I might add. That over all is an excellent find and a Good buy for anything less than $300 these days. The stock is more than likely the original American Walnut one that came with the rifle when the Russians Tsarist leader bought the rifle through an English contract. Nice sling and rifle for sure! Congrats! Bill ELT
Bryan 45		#2	[-]
Posts: 2363 (12/31/08 04:43 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the info, Zeebill. Are these type of slings common? Any idea on the value of the sling? I did get it for less than $300, but it was no where near the deal I got on the M27.
zeebill		#3	[-]
Posts: 3412 (12/31/08 05:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Those slings have become sort of an enigma to me in that when I have found them they were dirt cheap and I bought a half dozen of them! I haven't seen any since! It would have paid me to buy all the dealer had but like a real dummy I didn't! They tell me they appear on Ebay from time to time but I refuse to do business with the slimeballs that run fleabay. They are physically very similar except for the SKY markings to the sling that comes on a SHE rifle from the Czechs I believe. Those can be picked up cheaply from time to time and make a good substitute. Probably shot myself in the foot there admitting that but I haven't seen any of those around lately either. They are by the way wrongly ID'd by unscrupulous dealers and sold as Finnish I might add. I would say a good SKY sling like that would maybe bring $45 or so if someone knew what it was when selling and buying also. The old saying an ounce of knowledge brings a kings ransom at times should be remembered in this case especially. Great Find Congrats Again! Bill
mawkie		#4	[-]
Posts: 13 (12/31/08 11:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Found the same sling in stock at David's Collectibles. He's selling them for $25 and they're in like-new condition. They look snazzy on a Finn 91/30!
Bryan 45		#5	[-]
Posts: 2364 (01/02/09 05:29 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I took this rifle and the M27 from the other post out yesterday to the range. I have never been a fan of the Mosin, UNTIL NOW! These two were very enjoyable to shoot and the bolts were as smooth as a Springfield '03. I had to drift the front sight on this '91 further left than I like, but what good is a rifle if it's not zero'ed? Groups were about 3" at 100 yards w/ whatever surplus ammo I have. With the rear sight at the 200 mark, this rifle was about 2" high. The M27 was about 12" high, but it looks like the front sight has seen a file. I only fired about 30 rounds through each rifle, I had a few other rifles with me I was testing handloads in that took up too much time. I bought both of these Finns w/ the idea they were going to be trading fodder, but I have to admit, I enjoy them too much! http://parallaxscurioandr...rums.yuku.com/topic/30778 Here's a link for the M27, for reference. Last Edited By: Bryan 45 01/02/09 05:33 PM. Edited 1 times.
altera6		#6	[-]
Posts: 22 (01/05/09 11:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	The M39 I recently bought came with what I thought was an ordinary "dog collared" Mosin Nagant sling, that you'd find in the greasy grab bag of accessories from Century. But, the other day I took a closer look at in and there is an "SA" stamp on it. How common are these?