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The M28/30, an iconic rifle in Finnish history, emerged from the Civil Guard's need for a firearm that could meet their rigorous marksmanship standards. Established as a province of the Russian Empire, Finland's journey to independence was marked by significant political and military shifts. The volunteer White Guard played a pivotal role in securing Finland's independence in 1918, often wielding captured Mosin-Nagant rifles.

By the 1930s, the original inventory of M1891 rifles was showing signs of wear and required refurbishment. Leveraging their own rifle factory, known as Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy (SAKO), the Civil Guard sought to create a rifle that would not only meet their exacting standards but also surpass them. SAKO, originally established to produce new barrels for Civil Guard rifles, would go on to play a vital role in the development of the M28/30 and other variants based on these modified Mosins.

The M28/30 represented a natural progression from the earlier M28 rifle, which the Civil Guard had adopted in 1927. This itself was an improvement over the M24 rifle, chosen after the Finnish Army adopted the M27. Notably, around 2,000 M28 rifles were later updated to a hybrid version known as the m/28-28/30, a designation that applied even to the rifle of the famed sniper Simo Häyhä.

Despite sharing certain features with the Mosin, the M28/30 exhibited refinement and improvements. The first rifles rolled off the assembly line in April of 1934, marking the beginning of a production run that would extend for seven years, resulting in over 24,420 rifles, as per some records.

While the Finnish Army and Civil Guard eventually standardized their rifles with the adoption of the M39, the M28/30 continued to play a crucial role during both the Winter War and the Continuation War. Its enduring legacy as a symbol of Finnish independence and marksmanship excellence solidified the M28/30's place in military history.

Origin: Finland
Manufactured: 1933-1940
Manufacturer: SAKO (Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja Konepaja Oy)

Type: Bolt-Action Rifle

Caliber: 7.62x54R
Barrel Length: 686mm (27")
Action: Bolt-Action

Magazine Capacity: 5 Round Internal Magazine

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