Mosin-Nagant identification

[Norman F. Johnson]

Gentlemen and Fair Ladiies,

My younger son and I went up to the Del Mar (CA) gun show today
and, on a lark, we decided to buy a gun that had been refinished
by a man and wife team home business that just happens to be in
our neighborhood. I was really surprised at the great condition
of the Mosin-Nagants and Swedish Mausers that were there.

This gun was typical of those I saw with excellent metal and wood.
The wood that he refinished is a low luster oil that is as good as
factory sporters sold today. The bore could hardly be improved
and the trigger is better than most sporters today.

The man said that it was a Model 27, and indeed, the barrel at the
muzzle end (right side" is stamped "CAIST ALB VT" and immediately
below that, "M27 7.62R FINLAND".

On top the receiver is a "D" and under that a "T" in a triangle
that stands on its point. Below that is "68588". Below this
number is stamped "F" and last, "1933" right next to the hexagon-
al shaped receiver. On the receiver's left side is "SA" enclosed
by a box.

On the left flat of the hexagonal receiver is what might be "IF"
or "OF" about 1/8" tall followed by the number "22850" which is
about 3/16" high.

The bolt is bright and has a number "588" on it (right side) if I
read it correctly; the numbers are tiny and not too well stamped.
That number is upside down as viewed with a closed bolt. The
bolt handle is not straight and appears to have been bent down
altho it would certainly not clear a scope, were one mounted in
the normal position.

The sight is the military ladder type and is marked 13 thru 32 on
alternating sides of the ladder. The base is stamped along each
side with 2 thru 8.

The front sight has sight guard ears that angle away from the
sight on each side.

This is my quandry: Guns and Ammo, May '96 issue, page 10, in
the "Gun Room" column has a picture of a Mosin-Nagant 91 and a
91/30. The 91 is line for line the same as our Model 27.

Can anyone out there tell me more about this rifle? Could the
Russian 91 be the same gun as the Finnish 27?

Can anyone tell me what the two receiver numbers are? I assume
the "68588" is the serial number and 1933 is date of manufacture.

Many thanks.

God Bless!

Norm