When I purchased these they were graded Like New. I have fired both guns but only to check function. Less than 15 rounds total through the pair. Bluing is dang near perfect if not perfect. Bores are sharp and bright. This is a pic of one of the rifles, they both look identical except for the markings.
Even though I expect a money crunch soon...hard to pass one of these up...whats the better one? VKT or B barrel? Why? Thanks.............
__________________ U.S. Army
1976-1979
237th Combat Engineers
Heilbronn, Germany
The VKT is much more common. The "B" barrel is less common, and seems more desirable though I disremember what differentiates it.
The "SKY" are the most desirable, and the most expensive.
Mine is a lowly VKT, in a Sako stock.
Ask the fellers over in Tuco's Gunboards' Mosin Collector's forum - they'll know.
Here ya go, Joe:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
M/39 MAKERS AND DATES-SAKO
The army placed the initial production order No. 328/40 for the m/39 with SAKO in April of 1940 for 20,000 rifles and two successive orders placed in 1942 and 1943 for an additional production of 40,000 rifles. Limited production began in 1940 and increased steadily to meet urgent wartime demands. Production was hampered slightly as the m/27 and m/28-30 were still being phased out of production in the early portion of 1940. The first rifles of the new m/39 therefore did not reach the field and issue with the army until early 1941. Even thought the model had been agreed upon and standardized by both branches of the Finnish Armed forces, the Army and Civil Guard, they still submitted separate orders for the rifles. As a result, the SAKO m/39’s made for the Army had a serial number range that started at 200,000 beginning in 1940. A photograph of rifle serial number 200, 009 dated 1940 is shown in one Finnish reference (20) as well as the inspection firing target card of rifle number 200,004 by Mr. Erkki Maristo dated December 7th 1940, is shown in the outstanding reference on Finnish rifles-Sotilaskäsiaseet Suomessaa 1918-1988 by Markku Palokangas. (48) Production of the Civil Guard’s order started in 1942 at serial number 500,000 and was marked with the Civil Guards identification marking of "Sk.Y" on the barrel shank. The Civil Guards serial number range was to begin at 500,000 and end at 520, 500. The contract was not completed though and only slightly more than half of the order was filled at 10,500 rifles before the war ended. SAKO produced m/39’s can be found dated from 1940 through 1945 with the highest reported serial number of 29982.
SAKO produced Civil Guard production ran from 1942 to 1944 with the highest reported number serial number of 509667. A reliable Finnish reference book reports that a total of about 66,500 m/39’s were produced by SAKO for the Army from 1940 to 1945 (48). The final year of production in 1945 by SAKO was predominately from guns in the works already and almost completed and in 1945 only 6,500 rifles left the factory.
VKT PRODUCTION OF M/39 BARRELED ACTIONS
VKT or Valmet also manufactured m/39 barrels from 1940 to 1944 that were shipped to the Army weapons depot number 3 (Asevarikko 3 or AV3 for short) at Kuopio for final assembly. AV3 assembled 30,300 m/39’s from 1941-1944 (48) with the VKT and Belgian made barrels (discussed below). The stocks were also reportedly produced at the AV3 depot as well as by subcontractors. Some of these sub-contracting firms were Sakara Oy utilizing the crossed cannon cartouche with an "S" inside. Other sub-contractors were V. Lindholmin Puusepäntehdas using the stock maker’s cartouche of an "L" in the circle. The final sub-contractor for the stock fabrication was done by Oy Ekwall Ab and is thought to have used the crossed cannon’s "Z" cartouche to indicate it’s production (48) The VKT m/39's run from a known low serial number of 2508 to a high of 76,470. Many of the m/39 barrels in the VKT serial number range are actually Belgian produced barrels received under contract.
The Belgian contract was placed to provide m/91 barrels and the barrels produced for this contract are marked with a capital "B" on the barrel shank between the serial number and the date. Some barrels also are marked with "Liege" proofs on the left side, which consist of a stylized "EL", and a small star followed by 7.62m/m . Many of these Belgian made m/91 barrels were modified and shortened to m/39 specifications and are serial numbered within the range of the VKT produced m/91 barrels. No reported m/39 barrels though have been marked with the Liege proofs, only the B designation- and all are dated 1942. The VKT made m/91 barrels also were modified to the m/39 specification as well. It is not known exactly why but some sources suggest that it was to supplement lagging production and supply on hand or later replacement of damaged barrels upon return for repair. VKT serial number ranges for the m/91 ran from serial number 1 in 1940 to serial number 45,700 approximately in 1942. There are many-reported m/39’s that fall within this serial number range. One such rifle, a m/39, is serial numbered 2508 with a 1940 date. VKT and Belgian barreled assemblies were shipped to AV3 for final assembly into rifles. Upon observation and measurement of barrel diameters to ascertain conversion from m/91 barrels it is apparent that production by VKT after 45,700 was exclusively of m/39 configuration.
One unusual characteristic noted on at least some of the m/39 barrels of Belgian origin is the unusual color of the metal finish. Some are noted with a "bronze" type color to a deep purple rather than the normal blue/black. This can be attributed to a few things such as the metal content containing a high nickel percentage to the temperature of the bluing solution and metal preparation prior to finishing. The answer probably lies in a combination of all three theories. The lowest reported serial number of the VKT marked m/39’s is 2508 dated 1940 and 76,227 dated 1944. The "B" barrel rifles have a serial number range of the low of 23,294 to a high of 48,978. All have 1942 dates.
According To The Article In The Shotgun News Treasury Issue 4 By Peter G. Kokalis 5,000 To 6,000 Barrel Blanks Were Supplied By Belgium In 1942 For The Mod. 1891 Rifle. A Large Number Of These Were Modified And Shortenedto Be Used On The M-39's If These Were Barrel Blanks And Bored And Rifiled In Finland The Bore Dia. Is Probably 0.310" This Was Done So Captured Russian Machine Gun Ammunition Which Often Had A Larger Projectile Dia. Than Finnish Ammo. Could Be Used. Big Dog Was Right On About The Metal Content In The Barrel Steel. I'd Buy The "b" One.
have you shot either one ,do you have a preference?
I bought a sako m-39 5-6 years ago and all i can tell you is they are a blast to shoot esp. long range!!! I have easyly shot targets at 800 meters. Some of my friends cant get over the accuracy either. The only thing i regret is i didnt buy more of them they were only $175 each then for the reconditioned ones, and the scoped sniper was $400, and i would still like to get one of them. i also have bought 3 m-44s because the are so cheap to pick up $100-125 and they are nice shape, they arn't quite as a long range shooter but still make nice deer rifles.
good investment and you will like them alot.
The only thing I can add to the excellent responses is that the VKT would have a heavier barrel. The 'B' would have been made for the M91 which will be about .010" smaller at the muzzle and does not have the heavy area for the rear sight base.
The rariety and plum blue color of the 'B' command the higher price.
__________________
Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!
I have em both. I dont notice much difference in the accuracy. They are both very accurate. A lot more accurate than the 91/30 or M44. Buy either one. They are both very good rifles. Heck buy em both, they will both go up in value.
And who is David?
You did look at the date on those original postings didnt you?
__________________
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
I have shot my B barrel M39 once. Tightened the action screws and was impressed with the accuracy. Found the action screws were about 4 turns from being tight.
Love the rifle!
__________________
Dedicated to SwedeSteve, Arkansashunter and Ezearln. Rest in peace my friends.
Pardon me for changing the subject a bit, but I have a question about my Finn. I use a 6 oclock hold since my eyesight lacks quite a bit and it's easier for me to just hold on the bottom of the black then trying to see the 10 ring. My M39 is pretty much right on at 100 yards which means that my shots tend to all be in the bottom of the 7 ring. I tried raising my leaf to 150 yards to nudge my shots higher, but the spring inside the leaf must be loose because after a shot or two it's back down. Is there any easy fix for this or is it off to the gunsmith?
Whats the diff? Finnish M39 VKT or Finnish M39 B Barrel ? 
