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, but otherwise it is still in the original issued configuration, with sling swivels mounted to oval escutcheons. It also is unfortunately missing the top handguard, probably removed long ago.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 28272 on the left side of the receiver, while the barrel has serial 13763 crossed out, and remarked with 28272 below this. The bolt has also been remarked with shortened number 8272, so this definitely looks to have had an arsenal service at least once, and the barrel was replaced. There is also an SA inside a rectangle marking 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! Definitely some interesting history to this 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.

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. The full markings on the barrel are clear, and read:-

СЕСТРОРѢЦКІЙ
(Arrow)
ОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ
1900г.
№
13763
28272

These markings indicate that the barrel was originally manufactured in 1900 at the "Sestroretsk Weapons Plant", a rare maker that we have only have a few Mosin-Nagant rifles from before. The "г" after the date is short for год "god", or year in English. The bottom rear of the receiver is correctly marked 9 (Arrow) 4, so while the barrel is not original, it was made by the same maker, which suggests it was sent back to Sestroretsk for a new barrel. This also means that this is definitely a Pre-1899 antique firearm. The industrial city of Sestroretsk is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, the Sestra River and the Sestroretskiy Lake 34 kilometers northwest of St. Petersburg, Russia. Sestroretsk was founded by Peter the Great in 1714 due to the construction of this arms factory, today known as the "Sestroretsk Toolmaking Factory".

The bolt looks to have markings partly removed, and the serial number remarked. We were not able to see any maker markings that we recognize on it. The butt plate, upper barrel band, and lower barrel band are all marked with the "Arrow" marking of Sestroretsk. The magazine however is marked with 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! We do not however see any Soviet markings on the rifle, so it looks like it was probably one of those sent to Finland during the early 20th Century, possibly as a "second class" rifle with a replaced barrel.

The right side of the butt stock is marked with WS 9999, and there is also a marking that looks like "Crossed hammers" with a circle over it, with an A inside the circle. This is very interesting, as this means that the stock was entirely replaced in Finland, but was not one with the finger joint in the front. This is not something we have really seen before, and definitely adds to the interesting life this rifle has had.

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 the usual denting and scratches expected from a rifle that saw service. There is however no major damage, and it really has a great color, and still shows the original milling marks on both sides, indicating that it was not refinished at any point after being replaced, though we do not know when this was done. As mentioned previously, it is missing the front handguard over the barrel.

The metalwork is in good shape, showing a lovely aged patina, and no signs of a major refurbish in the past. The bolt is still bright steel, with just a few areas of past oxidation, now cleaned away. 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 in the grooves. It does show a counterbore in the front of about 1 1/2", thought to increase accuracy by removing worn rifling at the muzzle.

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

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1894 - Barrel Replaced
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.