The Border (2007)

"The Border", also known as "Raja 1918" and "Border 1918", is a 2007 Finnish movie starring Martin Bahne and is set in the immediate aftermath of the Finnish Civil War of 1918. The war was between the "Whites" (supportive of the goverment of the newly independant Finland) and the "Reds" (essentially the Socialist movement of Finland with some unofficial support from Bolshevik Russia).

The main story revolves about the Finnish Captain Carl von Munck (Martin Bahne), newly returned from the victorious Civil War, recieving a posting near the border to Soviet Russia to prevent "illegal" people from crossing the border. In the tense aftermath of the Civil War, with thousands of Russian refugees fleeing from the aftermath of the Russian bolshevik victory in Russia, no one with Russian heritage is allowed to cross, unless they are willing to face a Finnish firing squad.

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

The following weapons were used in the film The Border:

Rifles

Mosin Nagant

Both Russians and Finns are seen with Mosin Nagant rifles. From 1809 to 1917, Finland was a Grand Duchy under direct, but still fairly independant, Russian rule. As such the Finnish Armed forces were armed by the Russians which included the Mosin Nagant rifle.

Full-length, Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 - 7.62x54mm R

A woman on the "Red" side firing her mosin nagant rifle.

Russian and Finnish soldiers sharing a few bottles of spirits with their Mosin Nagants shouldered.

A closeup of a pair of Finnish soldiers preparing their Mosin Nagants.

Frontal view of the same (above) pair of Finnish soldiers

Arisaka Type 38 Carbine

The leader of the "Reds" Heikki Kiljunen (Tommi Korpela) is seen using a Arisaka Type 38 Carbine with an attached Arisaka bayonet. During World War I, Russia (of which Finland were a part of until 1917) purchased about 600,000 type 30 and 38's from Japan. Alot of these rifles were found in Finland based, Russian controlled arsenals and many of these were "liberated" by both the Whites and the Reds during the 1918 civil war.

Arisaka Type 38 Carbine - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka

Handguns

Several Officers carry the German Luger P08.

Luger P08

Luger P08 - 9x19mm. This is a 1917 dated handgun, thus it is a World War One firearm.

A "White" Officer executing "Reds" with his luger.

A closeup of a luger.

Mauser C96 "Broomhandle"

Several "Whites" are seen armed with the Mauser C96 "Broomhandle"

Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle".

A "White" soldier firing his Mauser C96.

Sergeant Muranen (Hannu-Pekka Björkman) fires his Mauser C96.

Nagant M1895 revolver (including probable)

A "White" soldier is seen firing a revolver at the beginning of the movie. It would be logical to assume it is a Nagant Revolver as the Finns in 1918 on both sides were mostly armed with Russian weapons.

Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38N cartridge (aka 7.62 Nagant ammo). This example was dated 1939 manufacture and was a War time Issued weapon. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.

Lieutenant Suutari (Lauri Nurkse) aims his Nagant revolver on a suspect.

Major Gentsch (Leonid Mozgovoy) being executed by the Soviets after his failed attempt at defection.

In a moment of despair, Lieutenant Suutari aims his revolver on himself though it fails to fire.