Original Item: Only One Available. These are so very rare, a real pre-1898 Antique Russian Mosin-Nagant M1891 Full Length Rifle, more officially referred to as the "Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891." This particular one was later refit in Finland to the Finnish M/91 Mosin-Nagant standard, and fitted with a new stock. The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 14568 over the chamber. The bolt does not have any serial marking, and there is also an SA inside a rectangle on the side of the barrel, for Suomi Armeija (Finnish Army).

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.

When Finland achieved independence from Russia, over 190,000 Model 1891 infantry rifles were already stockpiled in the ex-Russian military depots within Finland. As a result, the rifle was adopted as the standard Finnish Army weapon, and surplus Mosin–Nagants were purchased from other European nations which had captured them during World War I. The official designation of these were "3-линии пехотная винтовка образца 1891–го года" which translates to "Three Line Infantry Rifle, Model of 1891". These rifles were then overhauled to meet Finnish Army standards and designated M/91.

This entailed replacing the stock with a new one, constructed from two pieces of wood with a glued finger joint in the middle. The new stock featured traditional sling swivels fitted into escutcheons, instead of the slots used on the Russian types. This example has both intact, and does not show any signs of recapture by the Soviets, or other later alterations.

As with most, this example has the cross bolt to reinforce the stock against recoil, and the 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 on the left side of the sight base (4 to 12) have been crossed out, and new measurements in meters (2 to 8 1/2) added in hundreds of meters (12 x 100 arshíny = 8 1/2 x 100m) on the right side. The M/91 was the most widely issued Finnish rifle in both the Winter War and the Continuation War.

The barrel displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle just below the rear sight on the base of the barrel. The full markings on the barrel are mostly clear, and read:-

(Imperial Eagle)
ОРУЖЕЙНЬІЙ
ЗАВОДЪ
ШАТЕЛЬРО
1893

N 114568

These indicates original manufacture in 1893 at Châtellerault Arsenal in France, only seen on those dated 1892-1895. During the early years the Russian Empire wanted to expedite the launch of their new service weapon, and contracted outside to France, who they had a long association and Alliance with. The right side of the bolt and the front of the magazine are marked with the Hammer proof of Tula Arsenal, while the front barrel band and rear sight leaf bear the "Bow and Arrow" marking of Izhevsk Arsenal, both Czarist markings which were discontinued following the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war. It was very common for rifles in service for a long time to have parts swapped out like this.

Condition of the rifle is very good, especially considering the age and amount of service it must have seen. The stock is in very good condition, with a lovely light brown color showing the grain well. It shows dents and dings consistent with service, but there are no cracks, repairs, or other major damage. The metalwork overall shows an aged mottled patina with some signs of past peppering. Some areas are worn nearly to bright steel, and there is no evidence of refinishing. It still retains the original cleaning rod, which is in good shape, and still threads correctly into the stock retaining block.

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire. The bore is in very good condition, showing clear lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is definitely oxidation and fouling in the grooves, as expected for a rifle used during the days of corrosive smokeless powder. It does show a counterbore in the front of about 1/4", thought to increase accuracy by removing worn rifling at the muzzle.

A wonderful piece of Firearms and European History! Made in France for Russia in 1893, and then later used against them by Finland during the WWII Era. Ready do display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1893
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

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.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.