Original Item: Only One Available. These are so very rare, and one of a very few examples that we have had in decades. A real pre-1899 Antique Russian Mosin-Nagant M1891 Full Length Rifle, more officially referred to as the "Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891." This example was never converted to the 91/30 standard, and is still in the original full length. It does have the stock cross bolt for use with the heavier "Spitzer" bullets used, and has the sling slots in place of swivels, but otherwise it is still in the original issued configuration.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 134232 over the chamber, which matches that on top of the bolt, but it is most likely that both are remarked. There are also two SA inside a rectangle markings on the left side of the barrel, for Suomi Armeija (Finnish Army). However, the Finnish did not convert this example to their M/91 standard, and is still in the original configuration. This does also means that it was used and/or captured during either the "Winter War" or "Continuation War" with the Soviet Union, or possibly both!

The Russian "Mosin-Nagant" bolt-action rifle is arguably the most-produced rifle in history, with around 37 million being produced in various versions in several different countries. This number easily surpasses the Lee-Enfield, Mauser GEW98 and Mauser K98K in number produced. The reasons for this are multiple, including both the size of Russia and later USSR, as well as the long service life of this design, which is still in use today in some locations.

The history of what is known as the "Mosin-Nagant" rifle begins in the late 19th century in Russia, following the Russo-Ottoman war. During the course of the war, it became apparent that Russian troops needed a modern bolt-action rifle to compete with the rest of the world, so they started evaluations in 1889 on what would become the general issue rifle for infantry troops. Three designs were submitted, and at the time in Russia bullet diameter was measured in "line"s, where one line was 1/10 of an inch. This is what gave rise to the official name of the rifle, the "3-line rifle, Model 1891", as it was in .30cal, or 7.62mm. The name "Mosin-Nagant" is in reality somewhat of a misnomer, as the design chosen was designed by Mosin, not Nagant. However due to legal issues with Nagant over certain design aspects of the rifle, his name was attached to the design as well, leading to the name used in most of the world, the "Mosin-Nagant Model 1891". Three other models would subsequently be put into service prior to WWI: the M1891 Dragoon, the M1891 Cossack, and the M1907 Carbine.

The official designation of this model is 3-линии пехотная винтовка образца 1891–го года which translates to "Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891". It has the cross bolt to reinforce the stock against recoil, and the flip up rear sight correctly goes up to 3200 арши́ны (arshíny) an archaic measurement used by Russia through the first world war. Roughly equal to 71.12 cm, the ranges (4 to 12) on the left side of the sight base have been struck through, and new measurements (2 to 8 1/2) added in hundreds of meters (12 x 100 arshíny = 8 1/2 x 100m) on the right side. The sight is complete and fully functional, with the locking buttons on both sides still present.

The barrel displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle over Cyrillic letters Л К just below the rear sight on the base of the barrel, and the same marking is repeated on the top front of the receiver, though it is a bit faint, as are the barrel markings. They have been highlighted in white to make them easier to read.

The full markings on the barrel are:

(Imperial Eagle)
Л К
ИЖЕВСКІЙ
Оружейньійзаводъ.

1897г.
134232

(Bow & Arrow)

These indicates original manufacture in 1897 at Izhevsk arsenal, a major producer of Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. We checked the tang of the receiver, and it is also marked with the "Bow & Arrow" over 1897г., so the barrel was not swapped out at any time. We also noted both are marked with serial 514382 on the right side below the woodline. The factory itself was founded in 1807 at the request of the Czar, and continues to manufacturer small arms do this day.

The bolt is worn, and displays no maker markings, however the magazine / trigger guard is marked with the Izhevsk "Bow and Arrow". Both barrel bands and the butt plate however bear the "Hammer" marking of Tula arsenal, another Czarist marking which was discontinued following the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war. Parts were very often swapped around during arsenal service, and this is a rifle that saw use for probably over 50 years!

Condition of the rifle is very good, especially considering the age and amount of service it must have seen. The stock is in great shape condition, with the usual light denting and scratches expected from a rifle that saw long service. There is however no major damage, and it really has a great color. It is possible that it was refinished at some point, but it was definitely not worn down much when this occurred, and it was definitely well cared for over the decades. There have been small screws added next to the barrel bands to help keep them in place, a modification often seen as it was hard to keep the barrel bands tight after a while.

The metalwork is in good shape, with much of the original bluing still intact, looking to have been refinished at arsenal during the WWII era. The bolt. original bright steel, now shows staining and evidence of past peppered oxidation. It still retains the original cleaning rod, which is in good shape, still threading properly into the stock. The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to test the magazine for feeding. The bore is in very good condition, still showing strong land and grooves, though it definitely shows a good amount of use. There is overall past oxidation and fouling, so the finish is definitely a bit dark, especially in the grooves. The front of the bore has also been counterbored in about 1 1/2 inches, thought to improve accuracy by removing worn rifling at the muzzle.

A wonderful piece of Russian and Firearms history, much as it was when originally made in the late 19th century! Ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber:7.62×54mmR Russian
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 31 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 5 Round Internal