Soviet manufacturing focused on the mass production of already proven firearms. It needs to be up to the task. Best AR-15 Slings 2022 Buyers Guide Review. The Russian word Obrez means cut-down or sawed-off. The rifle was used in the short civil war there and adopted as the service rifle of the new republic's army. A Mosin for modern warfare? Despite great casualties, the Russians were able to fight off a large, well-armed advancing German front for over 2 years. Unfortunately, confirmed numbers for each factory have not been discovered for all years, sometimes only total numbers were available. He admittedly had meager resources, though his design had merits. These rifles werent ready for the Winter War, but were used largely in the Continuation war. 1430 of 25 November 2003. The Russians attempts to seize Istanbul (Tsarsograd) were stymied, in part, by superior firepower from the Turks. The M44 is mostly used as a hunting weapon because of its sheer power, accuracy, and relatively cheap ammunition. Coming from a country that prized itself on keeping things simple, yet dependable for over a century. With the dawn of the 20th century looming, all the great powers were holding arms tests. [8] Until 1918 it was produced in two versions: a double-action version for officers, and a cheaper single-action version for the lower ranks. Included in many popular movies and video games, the Mosin Nagant rifle is a Russian military rifle that saw very widespread use during World War I and World War II. It also makes the rifle easy to carry and offers stability while shooting. If only we knew then what we know now. The notched rear tangent iron sight is adjustable for elevation, and is calibrated in hundreds of meters (arshins on earlier models). Matching Serial Numbers and Very Good Condition. This effort led to the development of the Model 91/30 rifle, which was based on the design of the original dragoon version. Elimination of the steel finger rest behind the trigger guard. In 1924, following the victory of the Red Army, a committee was established to modernize the rifle, which had by then been in service for over three decades. The trigger assembly is unique in the Romanian 91/30 and is adjustable. Not many M44s saw service in the war. It appeared that Nagant was the first to apply for the international patent protection over the interrupter, although he borrowed it from Mosin's design initially. The M38s used recycled receivers, both hex and round. At least three versions were introduced. century looming, all the great powers were holding arms tests. This showed Russian commanders the need to modernize the general infantry weapon of the army. It looks every bit the illegitimate love child between an 1891 Mosin and 1895 Winchester chambered in 7.62x54R. The rifle was originally made with a hex receiver. The long barrel is apt for accuracy and the gun is quite fun to shoot. Such was the case in the Russo-Ottoman War 1877-78. The factory became famous for it's outstanding and very low-priced tool steel. This M91/59 is in extremely good condition for a rifle almost 90 years old. [9] Stopping them in their tracks. The Finns probably made the highest number of upgrades to the Mosin Nagant. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 10:25. She grabbed large tracts of land in Eastern Germany. The Mosin Nagant: A Gun Made For Russia Tough and brutal. It was an improvement on the Model 91/30, particularly for urban warfare; but few M44s saw combat on the Eastern Front. When trials concluded in 1891, the evaluators were split in their assessment. The new weapon and cartridge were available in sufficient numbers. This shifted in the 1890s as Germanys Kaiser Wilhelm II dismissed Bismarck. It is not interchangeable with other Mosins. For detailed information on the production years of variations of the round receiver on M91/30s, M38s, and M44s, please see the Mosin Nagant Rifle Receiver Variations page. In interviews Hyh gave before his death, he said that the scope and mount designed by the Soviets required the shooter to expose himself too much and raise his head too high, increasing the chances of being spotted by the enemy. Something that should be pointed at are the production factories. This is not a guide to marks. Stay in touch with Widener's, be the first to know about new articles, products, and more. Dual frontal locking lugs like the Mauser. The barrels were ordered from the Swiss Manufacturers SIG and the German firm Bohler-Stahl. Allowing corners to be cut in the finish machining marks on barrels were common. A bore light or bore-scope can come in really handy during this process, but the naked eye is generally fine. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest. The toughness of the M91/30 Mosin Nagant rifle on the battlefield gave much-needed morale to the Russian troops. The limited sight adjustment leaves some hunters with the desire to add a scope, leading two companies to make adjustable sights for the Russian version of this rifle, Mojo and Smith-Sights. Now, have slowly crept up in price and demand as everything else has become priced out of reach. Nagant's legal dispute. In essence, the M44 is an M38 with a slightly modified forearm and with a permanently mounted cruciform bayonet that folds to the right when it is not needed. The rifle itself became a symbol of unification during the battles of Operation Barbossa with the German invasion of Russia in 1941. In 1943, they forced them back at Operation Zitadelle. *Competitive Shooter of the Week* Front Page for the Russian Mosin Nagant Forum website. M1891 rifles were still under $80, but ten years ago. Regional and colonial disruptions, such as in India, Africa and even in the US, proved otherwise. The major upgrade was the barrel of these rifles. Actually, theyve taken it further. A scandal was about to burst out, with Nagant threatening he would not participate in trials held in Russia ever again and some officials proposing to expel Nagant from any further trials, as he borrowed the design of the interrupter after it was covered by the secrecy status given in Russia of that time to military inventions and therefore violated Russian law. In addition, scopes tended to reflect sunlight when moved side to side, which gave away a sniper's position.[21]. By saying "Izhevsk", we should understand that rifles or carbines were made by: 1932 and earlier (Soviet period) - Factory #10 of the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy; 1932 and earlier (Soviet period) - Factory #1 of the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy; 1942-1944 - Factory #536 of the People's Commissariat of Armament, newly created factory in Tula; More experienced collectors know that 1941 "Tula" 91/30 rifles exist, and that production in Tula in 1941 is not mentioned above orbelow. The massive industrialization that characterized the Stalin period was still a few years off. The name Mosin, much less Nagant, was never associated with it within Russia where it and successive models were labeled by their model or model year suffix. You may also visit the SCW Mosin-Nagant Database page at the Gunboards.com forum. The M28-30 (1934-40) is an advanced version of the M28. Bulgaria cut down 91/30s into M38 like carbines (M91/59) in 1959. It has an original receiver and has been upgraded to meet modern standards of a good sniper rifle. The Mosin is still in use as a battle rifle thanks in part to vast supplies of surplus ammo. The original version of the gun is the M91 or M1891. Uncomplicated interchangeability was already a key concept of the communist regime. These include Mosin-Nagant.net; Tuco, Vic Thomas, It is very common to call them "Izhevsk" and "Tula", but those are just cities. "[12] The new weapons would entail high velocities, exceeding 600 meters per second (2,000ft/s) and would result in land battles both commencing and being capable of being fought at longer ranges, nearly two kilometers. Sight adjustment for windage was made by the armory before issue by drifting the sight left or right in its dovetail. The wartime Mosins are easily identified by the presence of tool marks and rough finishing that never would have passed the inspectors in peacetime. In 1938, the Russians introduced a carbine variant. The following information is a good place to start before you head out to the gun shop or gun show. - Free Online Library", "Israeli K98: How the Jewish State Acquired German Rifles After WWII", "Sourcing the Tools of War: Small Arms Supplies to Conflict Zones", "The Serbian & Montenegrin Model 1891 Three Line Rifles", "PART I: ROMANIAN WORLD WAR II: SMALL ARMS: PUSTI SI PISTOLUL MITRALIERA. A large number of Obrez guns were manufactured in Russia (some in the US as well). The M1891 is no different. It featured a hex receiver and a curved rear sight with adjustment markings. The sight measurements were converted from arshins to meters; and the front sight blade was replaced by a hooded post front sight less susceptible to being knocked out of alignment. Similarities among rifle designs of this era are inescapable. This upgrade was performed in Czechoslovakia where the Czech markings can be found on the receiver and the barrel shank. Production began in 1892 at the ordnance factories of Tula Arsenal, Izhevsk Arsenal and at Sestroryetsk Arsenal. It also features an open front nose cap on the front barrel band. Also, watching regional conflicts to observe how new equipment and old tactics fared in the field. This gun was one of the most mass-produced guns in historyalmost 38 million manufactured since its creation in 1891. This was to be Russias first, small-bore, smokeless powder firearm. The most common employed a 3-power "PU" straight-tubed sight that was inserted into a slide mount which affixed . The rifle is quite fun to shoot and is complete and collective in all respects for a Mosin Nagant. Inspiring would-be collectors to eagerly rifle through any rediscovered surplus crates or old collections looking for hex receivers or one marked Remington or Westinghouse. 26 Inch Barrel and Impeccable Safety Mechanism. [14], The Russo-Japanese War (19041905) was the rifle's first major conflict. In addition to complete rifles, factories produced barrel and receiver assemblies. The rifle was 48 inches long and featured a flat rear sight, a front globe sight and a split barrel band. The commission initially voted 14 to 10 to approve Mosin's rifle. These rifles saw extended use against the Russians in the Continuation and Winter Wars. Some versions also retained the original M91 sling slot. The rimmed 7.62x54r is a cartridge that was developed in 1891 in Russia and is still in use today. These guns are prominently used by the Soviet-bloc countries, which gained weapons and warfare technology from Russia. These words describe Russian weather and Russian weapons. Also, details about markings used by main factories are described in. The rifle did not receive the name of Mosin, because of the personal decision taken by Tsar Alexander III, which was made based on the opinion of the Defence Minister Pyotr Vannovskiy: there are parts in this newly created design, invented by Colonel Rogovtzev, by Lt.-General Chagin's Commission, Captain Mosin and small-arms manufacturer Nagant, therefore it is only fair to call it the Russian 3-line rifle M1891. The lands were the primary invasion route of Asiatic hordes moving west since the dawn of recorded history. This long-serving rifle has earned its place in the history books and in the collectors case. However, it did not have provisions for a bayonet. This led to a somewhat lackadaisical approach to widespread arms improvements by militaries. In 1916, the Russian government ordered approximately 3.3 million M1891 Mosin Nagant rifles from Remington Arms and New England Westinghouse in the United States. [13] The new Mosin rifles would replace the Berdan rifles then in use by the Russian army. Likely, to keep out mere plinking mortals wanting a piece of history. It is an absolutely perfect rifle for casual shooters and militaria collectors. Sergei Mosin and Leon Nagant, this rifle was a big upgrade for the Russian Army. At the start of the 20. century, it was experimenting with modernization while trying to maintain a feudalist society. It is a holy grail for lever gun and military enthusiasts. Millions were produced in World War II for use by the largest mobilized army in history. A hooded post front sight, replacing the blade on previous weapons. The vigorous nature of this bayonet added an extra pound out front. The Finnish receivers are recognized by the SA in a block stamp or the S within a cogged wheel. Unlike the Mauser, which uses a controlled feed bolt head in which the cartridge base snaps up under the fixed extractor as the cartridge is fed from the magazine, the Mosin has a push feed recessed bolt head in which the spring-loaded extractor snaps over the cartridge base as the bolt is finally closed similar to the Gewehr 1888 and M91 Carcano or modern sporting rifles like the Remington 700. In the year 1896 daily production was up to 1.000 three-line rifles per day. There is going to be some wear and tear and some pitting. Russian casualties in that conflict demanded a new rifle. Comparatively]cheap 91/30s change into custom precision rifles. The M91rv was simply a Model 1891 dragoon rifle captured from the Russians, with just one modification. It belongs to the Podolsk Mechanical factory, which tried to start M91/30 production in the early 1930's. In the hands of irregular forces in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to name a few. However, a two-piece bolt body for ease of maintenance and a specialized stripper clip proved to be proud national contributions. This model saw just under 300,000 produced. Militaries started to phase out bolt action service from active service during and after World War II. Albeit, with a few modifications borrowed from Nagants design. This M44 is in extremely good condition and comes with a bayonet attached to it. M91 dragoon production ended in 1931. The information below covers only M91/30, M38 and M44 production since 1931, when M91/30 production started (in May of that year). There were also minor modifications to the bolt, but not enough to prevent interchangeability with the earlier Model 1891 and the so-called "Cossack dragoon" rifles. Finland was still producing the M39 MosinNagant in small numbers as late as 1973. In 1889 Tsar Alexander III ordered the Russian army to meet or exceed European standards in rifle developments with "rifles of reduced caliber and cartridges with smokeless powder. [26] [27]. The toughness of the M91/30 Mosin Nagant rifle on the battlefield gave much-needed morale to the Russian troops. Manufactured in 1944 During the Peak of WWII. When direct German imports dried up, The key to success for the sniper variant was its simplicity and characteristic Russian ruggedness. Also adopted was the 7.62mm Russian rimmed cartridge, for which the Model 91 was chambered. The Cossack rifles were the same as Dragoon rifles. Rifles in 6.554mmR use a necked-down 7.6254mmR cartridge and were the standard rifle of the USSR's Olympic biathlon team until the International Olympic Committee revised the rules of the event to reduce the range to 50 meters and required all competitors to use rifles chambered in .22LR. It was supplied together with a model of the cartridge and bullet but without the primer and the smokeless powder. The M38 version was adopted in 1938 by the Russian army. The rifle was 48 inches in length a bit shorter and lighter than the original model 1891. Mosin Nagant Ammo: 7.62x54R The rimmed 7.62x54r is a cartridge that was developed in 1891 in Russia and is still in use today. During the Winter War of 1939-40 when Finland declared independence from Russia and pushed the Soviet armies out of their borders, the Finnish army had no infrastructure and weapons. Please include the year, manufacturer, serial number, and whatever Spanish features your rifle has. However, a Mosin Nagant in decent shape can still be relatively accurate on dinner plate-sized targets to silhouette targets depending on range, ammo, and shooting conditions. Shoot one and youll know why. Further, a relative dtente had settled over Europe by 1871. Remington and Westinghouse handled the manufacturing of those firearms. Tula: 50,000 1940 - 1944 . The only difference between dragoon and Cossack rifles was the bayonet. To purists, these mods add an ally to politicians and rust in destroying pieces of history. The main M91/30 rifleand M38 & M44 manufacturers also stamped their markings on various rifle parts. The Mosin Nagant is one of the most mass-produced rifles in history. Ishevsk also manufactured the blanks and components of the Mosin Nagant for the Sestroretsk and Tula arsenals to finish. by Gsragtop Sat Jan 04, 2014 2:05 am. This rifle was 51 inches long and was manufactured from 1893 1925. Production began in Lige, Belgium; however Russia purchased the manufacturing rights in 1898, and moved production to the Tula Arsenal in Russia, and was soon producing 20,000 examples per year. The Soviet sense of pride and nationalism in WWII hinged on the greatness of its battle rifle. The M27rv was the mounted forces version of the M27 rifle, with a cut-down stock to reduce the length of the rifle to a carabine. With Remington and Westinghouse on the precipice of bankruptcy from the Communists' decision, the remaining 280,000 rifles were purchased by the United States Army. Handloaded cartridges for Finnish rifles should however use a 0.308 inches (7.8mm) bullet for use with other Finnish MosinNagant variants instead of the 0.310 inches (7.9mm) one which gives best results in M39, Soviet and most of other MosinNagant rifles. the worlds landmass encompassing dozens of cultures. The vast lands of the Tsars stretch over 1/6th the worlds landmass encompassing dozens of cultures. Remington got an order for 1.5 million rifles and Westinghouse was set to make the other 1.8 million. For example, Simo Hyh is credited with having killed 505 Soviet soldiers, many of whom fell victim to his Finnish M/28-30 MosinNagant rifle. In some ways, the astronomical prices of Garands, Mausers, and Enfields generated an increased demand for WWII-era pieces by younger collectors. The movement away from single-shot rifles also began after the fact for the many rank and file who faced off against modern repeaters. Soviet M38. Soldiers also used them through the end of WWII. The rifle features a long rear sight with the numbers partially ground off to reflect its reduced range. The Mosin bolt is removed by simply pulling it fully to the rear of the receiver and squeezing the trigger, while the Mauser has a bolt stop lever separate from the trigger. Conversion to this new standard, known as the model 91/30 from all available stocks was a simple matter. Mostly Original Parts Made from Solid Wood. Today those US-marked rifles fetch high prices from collectors. The rifle measures 48.5, weighs 4 kg and fires a 7.62 x 54mm round (variable for different models). There are a number of sourceswhich provide some numbers about M91 and M91/30 production. The Mosin bolt handle is similar to the Mannlicher: it is attached to a protrusion on the middle of the bolt body, which serves as a bolt guide, and it locks protruding out of the ejection/loading port in front of a split rear receiver ring, also serving a similar function to Mauser's "third" or "safety" lug. Apart from the above mentioned models, there are other versions of the rifle. New weapons focused upon smaller diameter projectiles and smokeless powder to achieve greater velocities. Plus, the price of the rifle offers the best value, considering it is a historic and legendary rifle. MosinNagants have been exported from Finland since the 1960s as its military modernized and decommissioned the rifles. One Of the Most Accurate and Widely Used Mosin Nagant Model, Stamped Receiver With Serial Numbers and Manufacturing Date (1943), Operating Safety Knob Can Be Difficult At Times. It is in a ready-to-fire state and doesnt require much maintenance. Some earlier sources stated that the beginning of M91/30 production was 1930, but this information is not correct. Mosin submitted a .30 caliber design and Nagant contributed a .35 caliber model. Among the models produced are Estonian, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Czech, Bulgarian, and even Chinese (T53) versions. The M/28-57 was a biathlon 7.62x54mm version. Production numbers for the M38 are estimated as: Izhevsk: 2,450,000 1939 - 34,508 1940 - 162,162 1941 - 419,605 1942 - 687,426 1943 - 978,297 1944 - 167,000 1945 - Unknown . It was clear from the start, even with foreign models present, the Russians wanted a domestic design. [citation needed] Mosin could not apply for a patent since he was an officer of the Russian army, and the design of the rifle was owned by the Government and had the status of a military secret. The Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30 was modified and adapted as a sniper rifle from 1932 onwards, first with mounts and scopes from Germany then with domestic designs (PE, PEM); from 1942 it was issued with 3.5-power PU fixed focus scopes. Ideally, the lands should be relatively free of scratches while the grooves should have as little pitting as possible. [53], Several American companies manufacture aftermarket rifle stocks that come inletted so a Mosin can be dropped directly into the stock without additional modification, for shooters who would prefer their ex-military rifles look more like civilian-made hunting rifles. concurrently with Dragoons from 1927 to 1929, Izhevsk made M91/30 PU snipers in 1947 and a handful of 1946 But they mostly do not provide any sources or explanations about them. It may draw the ire of Mosin purists, but the kits are popular and come in many variations. Like many of the new smokeless rounds, it loaded a rounded, hunter or jaeger bullet. The M91/30 rifles were manufactured only at the Tula and Izhevsk arsenals of the Russian government. Due to their limited production numbers, these rifles are highly sought after by collectors. Pretty Good Condition Considering Its Age, Good Hunting Rifle With a Powerful Caliber, Cheap Ammunition, Doesnt Hurt Your Wallet, U-Notch Adjustable Rear Sight With Calibrations Up to 2000 Meters, Somewhat Long To Be Fit in Confined Spaces. - Ted, aka 7.62x54r, Izhevsk production may have ended prior to 1926, All NEW M91s are dated 1915, regardless of year of actual An "02" stamp on every component of the rifle, identifying it as manufactured in Hungary. Of course, rifle were produced by specific factories, which had different names. Photo courtesy of Richard Percy. Not to mention the fliers anyway. The extra sling saves you some money and hassle of searching for an apt sling. It at least adds a bit more weight to soak up recoil as these rifles were still firing the full-sized 7.62x54R cartridge. The Finnish army made numerous modifications to the gun and use it even today. Despite its increasing obsolescence, the MosinNagant saw continued service throughout the Eastern bloc and the rest of the world for many decades to come. It was designed for close-quarter combat, but it is best used for hunting. This treaty also freed the Bolsheviks from World War I. These rifles were manufactured from 1959 to an unknown date. Between the adoption of the final design in 1891 and the year 1910, several variants and modifications to the existing rifles were made. The M38 is a wonderfully reliable and easy-handling rifle. [citation needed]. The Finnish army began using the guns left behind by their Russian occupiers as their primary combat rifle after the Winter War of 1939-40. Podolsk manufactured SVT-40 marking. Henceforth, the new Bolshevik government of Vladimir Lenin cancelled payments to the American companies manufacturing the MosinNagant (Russia had not paid for the order at any time throughout the Great War). In USSR surplus military carbines (without bayonet) were sold as civilian hunting weapons. - M . The commission held a runoff trial and accepted Mosins improved rifle. It continued in production until 1948. M91/30 rifle, assembled at M. Geltz factory in Leningrad. For modern collectors, the M1891 and bulk spam cans of 7.62x54R are the real-time examples of what eventually happens with all surplus rifles and munitions. The Mosin fell at a great price point for them. The sniper duels between Russian and German troops armed with Mosins and K98 Mausers are the stuff of legends. However, some users do complain about the cumbersome safety of the weapon. There is a reason why so many countries adopt it and keep a few in reserve. Like most .30 caliber rifles, the Mosin kicks hard and delivers its payload with devastating force. Simultaneous to the rifle development, the Russians pioneered a small-bore, smokeless cartridge, the 7.62x54R (R for Rimmed, not Russian). The Cossack rifle was identical to the Dragoon, but did not have provision for use with a bayonet. The M91/59 was the modification of the 91/30 and amounted to a change of size. The deadliest sniper of all time, Simo Hayha, used a M28-30 rifle (S.no: 60974). The MosinNagant Model 1891/30 was modified and adapted as a sniper rifle from 1932 onwards, first with mounts and scopes from Germany then with domestic designs (PE, PEM); from 1942 it was issued with 3.5-power PU fixed focus scopes. [49], As of 2023[update], bolt on mounts make it possible to fit a modern proprietary[50] or Picatinny/Weaver rail compatible scope to the rifle without the need to drill or tap the weapon. : Nauka, 1988. Additionally, the bore has been reblued and the rifle has been refurbished which offers a good value for money. Up to 1939 it managed to produce only spare replacement parts. Year stamps are quite visible. The main features are the flat rear sight design, and the inch gap from muzzle to the front sight. [51][52] Also available are bolt on muzzle brakes that reduce recoil and counter muzzle rise. They just werent designed for that. The Treaty of Brest Litovsk liberated her along with many other territories in 1917. He began making his neighbors nervous with declarations of his nations need for breathing room. One result of this was a Russo-French alliance. More than 37 million Mosin Nagant rifles exist today. From autocratic rule to farm tractors, Russians prove time and again that if it isnt broke, it doesnt need fixing.. Further, the US is always no further than one administration away from stopping any new imports of surplus rifles even of US origin. In fact, it wont even accept one because of its heavier front sight base. The M1891 clearly combined features, either by happenstance or discrete design, with its international competitors. Despite their desperate need, Russian inspectors kept stalling on payments and acceptance of the American-made rifles. Nevertheless, the M1891 rifles continued to be employed all over the Eastern Bloc. The Russians re-evaluated their rifle in terms of field use as well as industrial simplicity. The result was pockets of industry and modern conveniences in vast stretches of seemingly medieval culture. They streamlined wartime production of the 91/30 and M38 rifles. The name itself tells all we need to know about this model of the Mosin Nagant. It has an effective range of approximately 800+ meters (with sights). Normally three "R"'s surrounded by crossed stalks with leaves pointing outwards are on the top of the breech. Russia was no different. Today, experts estimate there are 60 million rifles in existence. The Chinese employed an M38/M44 variant, the Type 53. [citation needed] However, despite a lack of both aesthetic focus and uniformity, the basic functionality of the Mosins was unimpaired. Many of these with reproduction Soviet scopes and turned down bolt 91/30s fetching prices inconceivable a few years ago. Nagant believed he was entitled to the Commissions bounty and took several more years to settle. During the Russian Civil War, infantry and dragoon versions were still in production, though in dramatically reduced numbers. Middle Eastern countries within the sphere of Soviet influenceEgypt, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestinian fightershave received them in addition to other more modern arms. Due to the desperate shortage of arms and the shortcomings of a still-developing domestic industry, the Russian government ordered 1.5 million M1891 infantry rifles from Remington Arms and another 1.8 million from New England Westinghouse Company in the United States in 1915. The rifle featured a new heavy barrel. The Mosin Nagant has an extensive service record. #356. of variations of the round receiver on M91/30s, M38s, and M44s, Not certain as there are few examples known, Very few examples are known, all dated 1961, Date is two digits following "P-" on the barrel These rifles are less common and regarded as generally more desirable by collectors. Both with the rifle and its domestic scope. Russia ordered over three million 1891 rifles from the US.