Finnish 4" Luger ? 'Aquired' ~photos~
 

I'm curious. I have a Finnish holster that is for a 4" Luger. Nearly all Finnish pistols that I have seen have 5" barrels. Are 4" Finnish Lugers harder to find?

Thanks...

Ron

Ron, The original Finnish purchase of M23 commericals, had either a 3&5/8" or 3&7/8th" 7.65mm barrel, so the normal PO8 holsters were fine for these. Once they started changing them over to 125mm long Lahti lenght barrel (after 1940) they just used the standard Lahti holsters. TH

Hi Tom,

Thanks! Are the shorter barreled models common? Or am I going to go on a fruitless hunt?

Ron

The Tikka barrels were predominantly 125mm, but there were also some 100mm. So in addition to the Finnish Lugers that were not rebarrled, a 4-inch Tikka does turn up now and then.

Hi Ron,

I've been thinking about picking up a nice one for the "Big Hole" in my safe. I figure if I hold my tongue just right and stand sideways, I should be able to get it in there. ;)

How have you been?

Nother Ron....

Hi Ron,

How have I been?...as usual, much better than I deserve.

I have a Finnish 125mm barrel Luger and recently acquired a Luger/Lahti holster that has the magazine pouch cut for the Luger magazine button. The Luger has the right grip set up for the unit ID disk, so I am always on the lookout for a disk. Unfortunately, the only ones that show up are blank, and the asking price is over $100. Shoot, I can make a blank disk for ten cents that you couldn't tell from an original.

Hope you can find a "Big Hole" filler. I really like contract Lugers, and a Finn is a "must have" even though it dates post 1918!

Stay well, keep your head down and your powder dry. Best regards,
Ron

Ron,

E-mail sent...

Ron

Ron,
I am visiting our daughter in Tempe, AZ, right now and can't access my email. You can send me a PM through the Forum, or I can read your email when I get home Tuesday.
Ron

Ron,

Your PM box is full... So I went ahead and bought it. Auction time was running out.

Ron

I am sure you have done quite well without my input. Guess I need to do a little maintenance on my message folder.

Just wanted your learned advice, but no problem. I'll post some photos when it arrives, and you can tell what a sap I am for buying a piece of junk.:D

Thanks...

Ron

I just received this Finnish Contract Luger. My understanding from answers to previous questions, is that the 4" Tikka barreled Finns are difficult to come by. As most of you know my collecting interests are focused on Weimar Era military Lugers. So I thought it proper to pursue an example of this interesting variation to add to the pile.

A 1920 DWM Alphabet commercial in fairly decent condition.




http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/ls_copy34.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/rs_copy18.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/top_copy9.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/frame_sn_copy1.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/barrel_sn.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/sa_mark.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/tikka_mark.jpg


Side plate is numbered in commercial fashion with #10 Trigger is #45, Takedown lever matching #23

I would like to eventually find an original set of issue grips with ID disk. My understanding is that the black plastic grips were a post 1940 standard


http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/sp_sn.jpg

The holster was aquired about 3 years ago with another pistol. Riveted and with back panel,pull-up and hold down straps replaced with odd blue-gray leather.



http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...th_holster.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...holster_ls.jpg


Ron

Ron,

Very nice acquisition, and thanks for the look.

--Dwight

Finnish Blue Grey (or Green??) Color
 

I believe I am correct that the green leather (blue gray material) was used for the Finnish infantry holsters. At least that is the hue of the "as new" M-39 Finn rifle slings that are currently being sold.

I am led to believe that the brown holsters were issued to border guards.

Just acquired a brown Lathi/Luger holster (120 mm bbl.) thru Juha Hokkanen that had a replacement "green/blue grey" lifting strap installed.
I believe "AVA" (or "AVG" ?? don't have the holster in front of me) is a rather common manufacturers marking that appears on these holsters.

Evidently repairs were made with what ever color material was on hand.

Perhaps one of the Finnish nationals on the board can set us straight.

Jon the marking on your holster is AV3. It represents Arms Depot #3 and was located in Kupio.