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 the original sling swivels on oval escutcheons replaced by slots, but otherwise it is still in the original issued configuration.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 98079 over the chamber and on the butt plate tang, while the bolt is non-matching. Unlike almost all of the previous Mosin-Nagant rifles we have had, we do not see any Finnish markings at all! Many of the antique Mosins on the market came out of Finland, where they had been in use since the late 19th century, and were then used during the "Winter War" or "Continuation War" with the Soviet Union, which occurred during the WWII Period. We also noted that there are no import markings stamped on the underside of the barrel, so it most likely was imported prior to 1968. It might have even come home with a USGI after WWII! This is definitely a rifle with an interesting history!

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 are still present and have NOT been struck through! Almost all that we see have these markings replaced by new markings on the right side of the sight base, but there are no new numbers added, which would usually run from 2 to 8 1/2 (12 x 100 arshíny = 8 1/2 x 100m).

The top of the barrel does show some wear, and it looks like the Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle over Cyrillic letters Л К just below the rear sight were removed, and the same marking on the very front top of the receiver was covered up with a small punch. This very much suggests that the rifle was in Soviet service at some point, as it was common for them to remove the Imperial crests, however we do not see any Soviet Era markings.

The the remaining markings on the top of the barrel have been highlighted in yellow, however they are still somewhat faint, especially the top line, but we can see that they read:-

ИМПЕРАТОРСКІЙ
ТУЛБСКІЙ
ОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ
1897 г.

№ 98079

These markings indicate original manufacture in 1897 at the "Imperial Tula Arms Factory", one of the most prominent in Russia. We also checked the underside of the receiver tang, and it is also marked with the "Hammer" logo of Tula over 97г (г is short for год "god", or year in English) for 1897, so it was not swapped out at any time. This also means that this is definitely a Pre-1899 antique firearm.

Reconstructed in the 19th century Tula Arms Factory became one of the most prominent arms factories in Europe. In 1879 the plant started production of the famous Berdan rifle with an improved bolt. Workshop was organized by a model where created their own models of small arms and hunting weapons. Increased production of various products: single- and double-barrel muzzle-loading shotguns, breech-loading center-fire rifles. Designer Sergei Ivanovich Mosin took part in devising damascus steel technology used in production of barrels. He also designed a bolt-action rifle which was put to testing along with a rifle developed by Émile Nagant. In 1891, as a result of complex tests Mosin's entry was chosen over the Belgian design and it was adopted by the Imperial Russian Army as the three-line rifle of 1891.

The bolt looks to have had the serial number remarked, however we can see a clear "Hammer" inside a circle on the firing pin holder, for manufacture at Tula. The bolt-head however is marked with the "Arrow" marking of Sestroretsk Arsenal, and the markings on the bolt body are worn. The upper barrel band is marked with the "Bow and Arrow" marking of Izhevsk Arsenal, while the rear sight and butt plate tang also have the "Hammer" marking of Tula. The front of the magazine housing is also marked with the "Arrow" of Sestroretsk, and these all are 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, and we did not see any Soviet Era markings, definitely a bit of a rarity.

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 long service. We can see some wood graft repairs on the left side of the butt stock. There is however no major damage, and it really has a great color. There has been some small nails added next to the front barrel band to help keep them it place, a modification often seen as it was hard to keep the barrel bands tight after a while as the stock was worn down, however they are now mostly worn away themselves.

The metalwork is in very good shape, looking to possibly have been refinished at arsenal in the distant past, probably at some point after WWI, when the Imperial Eagle markings were removed. There is some where to the refinish near the muzzle from using a bayonet, as well as some oxidation on the fittings. The bolt is still bright steel, with just a bit of oxidation staining. It still retains the original cleaning rod, which still threads correctly into the stock, though it is definitely a bit hard to remove. The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to test the magazine for feeding. The safety position of the firing pin holder is functional. The bore is in good condition, showing a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. It does show wear to the lands, and past oxidation in the grooves, which has been mostly cleaned away. The rifling is quite worn near the muzzle from use and cleaning.

A wonderful piece of Russian and Firearms history, much as it was when originally made in the late 19th century! One of the very few we have had that was not used by the Finnish! Ready to research and 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

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.