Finnish 4" Luger ? 'Aquired' ~photos~

Ron Smith · 03-19-2007, 08:22 AM

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

Lugerdoc · 03-19-2007, 10:36 AM

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

Ron Smith · 03-19-2007, 11:47 AM

Hi Tom,

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

Ron

Ron Wood · 03-19-2007, 12:04 PM

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.

Ron Smith · 03-19-2007, 01:43 PM

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....

Ron Wood · 03-19-2007, 03:42 PM

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 Smith · 03-23-2007, 07:13 AM

Ron,

E-mail sent...

Ron

Ron Wood · 03-23-2007, 10:05 PM

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 Smith · 03-24-2007, 07:06 AM

Ron,

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

Ron

Ron Wood · 03-24-2007, 10:50 AM

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

Ron Smith · 03-24-2007, 10:59 AM

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.

Thanks...

Ron

Ron Smith · 04-02-2007, 11:14 AM

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.

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

Ron Smith · 04-02-2007, 11:16 AM

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.

Ron

Dwight Gruber · 04-02-2007, 12:15 PM

Ron,

Very nice acquisition, and thanks for the look.

--Dwight

pillboxesghost · 04-03-2007, 05:35 PM

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.

Alsky · 04-04-2007, 06:43 PM

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

03-19-2007, 01:43 PM	#5
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	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.... __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-19-2007, 03:42 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	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 __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-23-2007, 07:13 AM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ron, E-mail sent... Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-23-2007, 10:05 PM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	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 __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-24-2007, 07:06 AM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ron, Your PM box is full... So I went ahead and bought it. Auction time was running out. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-19-2007, 08:22 AM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	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 __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-19-2007, 10:36 AM	#2
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	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 __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

03-19-2007, 11:47 AM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Tom, Thanks! Are the shorter barreled models common? Or am I going to go on a fruitless hunt? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-19-2007, 12:04 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	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. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-24-2007, 10:50 AM	#10
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	I am sure you have done quite well without my input. Guess I need to do a little maintenance on my message folder. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

03-24-2007, 10:59 AM	#11
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	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. Thanks... Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-02-2007, 11:14 AM	#12
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	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. 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 __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-02-2007, 11:16 AM	#13
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	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. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-02-2007, 12:15 PM	#14
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Ron, Very nice acquisition, and thanks for the look. --Dwight

04-03-2007, 05:35 PM	#15
pillboxesghost User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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 Lewis

04-04-2007, 06:43 PM	#16
Alsky User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pa Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jon the marking on your holster is AV3. It represents Arms Depot #3 and was located in Kupio.