Original Item: Only One Available. These are so very rare, and this is the only example that we can remember having. A real Soviet WWII Era Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30 Rifle, built on an antique Tula Arsenal made receiver dated 1898. The Mosin-Nagant is one of the most enduring designs in modern military firearms, surpassing even the long life of the British "Magazine, Lee-Enfield" rifle. Receivers were refit multiple times over the years both in Soviet States, as well as in Finland, who had received numerous rifles during the Pre-WWI period, and also had captured many during the "Winter" and "Continuation" wars during the WWII Era.

This rifle almost certainly began life as an Imperial Russian Mosin-Nagant Dragoon Rifle, more officially referred to as the "Three Line Dragoon Rifle". This version was made intended for mounted Dragoon Light Cavalry, and was 2 1/2 inches shorter and 0.9lbs lighter than the full length Model of 1891 Infantry Rifle. Those familiar with Mosin-Nagants might note that these are the same dimensions as the later Model 91/30 rifle used throughout the 20th century, and that is not without reason: the M91/30 standard was based on an "updated" Dragoon rifle, with the main differences being changes to the front and rear sight.

Existing M1891 Long rifles were converted to this new standard, officially termed the винтовка образца 1891/30-го года, винтовка Мосина (rifle model 1891/30, Mosin rifle), while the existing Dragoon rifles appear to have been mostly left alone, as they were serviceable is. However when WWII came around, these were then updated to the 91/30 standard. Many rifles dated prior to 1930 are found in the M91/30 configuration but retain the original markings on the barrel shank with dates prior to 1930. This is from programs to update older rifles by the Soviets and they are referred to among collectors as "Ex-Dragoon" rifles.

That is exactly the type of rifle that we have here: an "Ex-Dragoon" M91/30, the first that we have ever had the pleasure of offering. The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 13904 over the chamber, which matches that on the bolt, though this was most likely remarked at some point.

The rear sight is the correct M91/30 type, retained by two cross pins, and has a slider with slopes to the rear and the front, the style used during the WWII Era. The front sight is the correct M91/30 type, and the globe is made from one single piece of steel, indicated by the round bottom around the blade. This indicates that it was produced prior to the 1940s, when a welded design was introduced. The fittings around the sling swivel slots and the split bands are late WWII style as well. Unfortunately there is no way to really tell whether this "Ex-Dragoon" was updated during WWII or afterwards due to arsenal part swapping, which is why we are terming it "WWII Era".

The barrel displays an early Soviet Wreathed Hammer & Sickle just below the rear sight on the base of the barrel, and the same marking was stamped over the original Imperial Eagle / Л К on the top front of the receiver. The full markings on the barrel are:

(Wreathed Hammer & Sickle)

ИЖЕВСКІЙ
Оружейньій заводъ.

1923г.
127753

(Bow & Arrow)

These indicates the barrel was manufactured in 1923 at Izhevsk arsenal, a major producer of Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. The factory itself was founded in 1807 at the request of the Czar, and continues to manufacturer small arms do this day. This was during the very early Soviet period, so the "Bow & Arrow" marking was still used, instead of the "Arrow in Triangle" marking.

Most importantly, the bottom of the receiver tang is dated 98г (г is short for год "god", or year in English) for 1898, legally classifying this as a Pre-1899 Antique Firearm. Above this marking is the "Hammer" marking of Tula arsenal, a Czarist marking which was discontinued following the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war. This is one of many Imperial Russian receivers that saw service for well over half a century. The rear barrel band, magazine housing, and butt plate are all marked with the "Arrow in Triangle" Soviet Era proof of Izhevsk Arsenal. There are also some import markings on bottom of the front of the barrel, added before it was realized to be antique.

Condition of the rifle is very good, Looking to not have seen much service since it was updated to the M91/30. The stock shows some minor wear including a few dents and scratches, but nothing major. It has however been refinished several times with the usual brown varnish used by Soviet forces, some of which is now flaking off of the handguard, which received an especially thick coating. The metalwork is in great shape, still retaining the arsenal reblue it was probably given when updated to an M91/30. 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 determine whether the magazine still feeds. We checked the functionality of the "safety", and it seems to work correctly. The bore shows clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish, showing some oxidation and fouling in the grooves. It definitely looks to have seen a good amount of service, and the tops of the lands are a bit rounded.

A wonderful piece of Russian and Firearms history, the first Soviet M91/30 "Ex-Dragoon Rifle" that we had had! Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1898 - Updated Later
Caliber: 7.62×54mmR Russian
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 5 Round Internal

More on the Mosin-Nagant Rifle:
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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

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