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 has the sling slots in place of swivels, not the original swivels on oval fittings. Otherwise it is still in the original issued configuration.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number № 70604 over the chamber. The bolt is non-matching (probably remarked), and there is also an SA inside a rectangle 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 Russian configuration.

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) in meters added in hundreds of meters (12 x 100 arshíny = 8 1/2 x 100m) on the right side.

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, though the marking on the top of the receiver has been removed.

The full markings on the barrel are:

(Imperial Eagle)
Л К
ИМПЕРАТОРСКІЙ
ТУЛБСКІЙ
ОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ
1895 г.

№ 22154

These markings indicate original manufacture in 1895 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 95г (г is short for год "god", or year in English) for 1895, 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 top of the bolt bears remarked serial number ЧЭ1046, and in this case it is marked on the firing pin holder and side of the bolt with the "Arrow in Triangle" Soviet era marking of Izhevsk Arsenal. The bolt however could have easily been switched during either the "Winter War" or the "Continuation War". We could not see any other maker markings on the magazine housing or fittings, but there are some markings stamped into the sides of the butt stock, which we do not recognize. They definitely look to be Russian, but we do not see any definitive Soviet markings. There's definitely some very nice research potential with these markings. These rifles were in service for decades, and returned to arsenal multiple times.

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 expected dents, dings, and other damage from long service. This is particularly evident on the right side of the stock, which has numerous sizeable gouges present. It does not look to have been post-service refinished, and has the lovely look of a stock that was well cared for over decades. It shows signs of cleaning, but no major restoration work. The metalwork is in good shape, showing a lovely aged patina overall, with no signs of major cleaning or refinishing. 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, showing a mostly bright finish with strong land and grooves, though it definitely shows a good amount of use. The lands are a bit rounded, and the grooves show some darkness from past fouling and oxidation. The muzzle is counterbored in by about 1/2", thought to increase accuracy by removing worn rifling at the muzzle.

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

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
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.