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, but otherwise it is still in the original issued configuration. It also comes with a wonderful all leather early issue sling, retained by leather straps through the sling slots.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number 32508 over the chamber and on the butt plate, while the other markings are 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 the Imperial Russian Eagle proofs on the barrel and receiver have been ground away and the area refinished, something that would have only really happened if it was in use by Soviet Forces. 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). This is one of the very few times we have had a Mosin-Nagant without a modified sight, which is complete and fully functional, retaining both locking buttons.

As mentioned previously, the "Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle markings on the barrel and receiver were removed long ago, however the original manufacture markings and date on the top of the barrel are still present and mostly legible:

СЕСТРОРѢЦКІЙ
(Arrow)
ОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ
1896г.
№
32508

These markings indicate original manufacture in 1896 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) 6, so it is the original receiver for this 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 had the serial number remarked, however we can see a clear "Bow and Arrow" marking on the right side of the bolt handle at the base, and a faint one on the firing pin holder, for manufacture at Izhevsk Arsenal. The same marking is present on the lower barrel band, while the magazine housing is marked with the "Hammer" logo of Tula arsenal. 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. There is however no major damage, and it really has a great color. There have been small studs added next to the front barrel band to help keep it in place, a modification often seen as it was hard to keep the barrel bands tight after a while as the stock was worn down.

The metalwork is in lovely condition, with the barrel, receiver, and magazine housing looking to have been refinished with the Imperial proofs were removed. 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 firing pin holder can still be pulled back and twisted to the left to put it in the "safety" position. The bore is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is a bit of wear present, but no major fouling or oxidation, and there is no counterbore at the front of the barrel as we often see.

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: 1896
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.