{"product_id":"original-antique-imperial-russian-mosin-nagant-m1891-three-line-infantry-rifle-by-tula-arsenal-serial-98079-dated-1897-no-finnish-markings","title":"Original Antique Imperial Russian Mosin-Nagant M1891 Three-Line Infantry Rifle by Tula Arsenal Serial 98079 dated 1897 - No Finnish Markings","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e98079\u003c\/strong\u003e 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, \u003cstrong\u003ewe do not see any Finnish markings at all!\u003c\/strong\u003e 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe official designation of this model is \u003cb\u003e3-линии пехотная винтовка образца 1891–го года\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003ehave NOT been struck through! \u003c\/strong\u003eAlmost 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eИМПЕРАТОРСКІЙ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eТУЛБСКІЙ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1897 г.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e№ 98079\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings indicate original manufacture in \u003cstrong\u003e1897\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u003cstrong\u003e \"Hammer\"\u003c\/strong\u003e logo of Tula over \u003cstrong\u003e97г\u003c\/strong\u003e (г is short for год \"god\", or year in English) for \u003cstrong\u003e1897\u003c\/strong\u003e, so it was not swapped out at any time. This also means that this is definitely a \u003cstrong\u003ePre-1899 antique firearm\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReconstructed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt looks to have had the serial number remarked, however we can see a clear \u003cstrong\u003e\"Hammer\"\u003c\/strong\u003e inside a circle on the firing pin holder, for manufacture at Tula. The bolt-head however is marked with the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Arrow\"\u003c\/strong\u003e marking of Sestroretsk Arsenal, and the markings on the bolt body are worn. The upper barrel band is marked with the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Bow and Arrow\"\u003c\/strong\u003e marking of Izhevsk Arsenal, while the rear sight and butt plate tang also have the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Hammer\"\u003c\/strong\u003e marking of Tula. The front of the magazine housing is also marked with the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Arrow\"\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Rifle):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1897\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber:7.62×54mmR Russian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 31 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 51 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 5 Round Internal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44895253266501,"sku":"ONSV26JOS265","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26JOS265.jpg?v=1776720013","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-antique-imperial-russian-mosin-nagant-m1891-three-line-infantry-rifle-by-tula-arsenal-serial-98079-dated-1897-no-finnish-markings","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}