The M/28 rifle or “Pystykorva” was used by Finnish security detachments. This bolt-action rifle was assembled using parts of old Russian three-line rifles of the 1891 model Mosin system. Some of its components were purchased from abroad.
Before the Revolutions of 1917, the Grand Duchy of Finland was part of the Russian Empire and used standard imperial weapons. In December 1917, Finland declared its independence from Russia and naturally inherited most of the military reserves, including weapons.
In 1918, Finland, torn by civil war, captured some of Soviet Russia’s equipment and bought German weapons for next to nothing. The Mosin became the main rifle of the Finnish army, the voluntary paramilitary organization Finnish White Guard and other units.
By the mid-1920s, almost all rifles were in worn-out condition, ammunition was lacking and nearing its expiration date. Hence, a large-scale audit of military warehouses took place. The old M-91 and M-91/24 rifles were upgraded by the Tikkakoski company and VKT — a state-owned firearms manufacturer. Out of 120 thousand old rifles, 55 thousand units were modernized. A shortened heavier barrel was installed. The first batch of barrels for the improved M-27 “Lotta” rifles was ordered from Switzerland and later made in Finnish factories. The trigger mechanism was replaced and a new front sight was installed. The new shape of the sights resembled the ears of a popular dog breed and was named Pystykorva, which means “spitz” in Finnish. There were also many other smaller changes in the design of the rifle, even the ammunition used was slightly different. Despite the cartridge remaining the same standard 7.62×54R for the Mosin–Nagant rifle, the Finnish version was slightly smaller in diameter. Because of this, using Finnish cartridges in Soviet weapons decreased accuracy and in turn using Soviet cartridges in Finnish rifles led to excessive pressure in the barrel chamber.
In 1944, a significant part of these rifles was given to the regular Finnish army. The difference between such rifles is the SA brand inside a rectangle, which stood for Suomen Armeija — Finnish Army. The exhibit was transferred from the Belomorsky Military District to the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia.
