{"product_id":"original-imperial-russian-mosin-nagant-m1891-three-line-rifle-by-sestroretsk-arsenal-serial-32508-dated-1896-with-leather-sling-no-finnish-markings","title":"Original Imperial Russian Mosin-Nagant M1891 Three-Line Rifle by Sestroretsk Arsenal Serial 32508 Dated 1896 with Leather Sling - 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 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e32508\u003c\/strong\u003e 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, \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 \u003cstrong\u003ethe Imperial Russian Eagle proofs on the barrel and receiver have been ground away and the area refinished\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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!\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). 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eСЕСТРОРѢЦКІЙ\u003cbr\u003e(Arrow)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eОРУЖЕЙНБІЙ ЗАВОДЪ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1896г.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e№\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e32508\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings indicate original manufacture in \u003cstrong\u003e1896\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u003cstrong\u003e 9 (Arrow) 6\u003c\/strong\u003e, so it is the original receiver for this barrel. This also means that this is definitely a \u003cstrong\u003ePre-1899 antique firearm\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt looks to have had the serial number remarked, however we can see a clear \u003cstrong\u003e\"Bow and Arrow\" \u003c\/strong\u003emarking 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 \u003cstrong\u003e\"Hammer\"\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\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. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\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: 1896\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":44545063026757,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA096","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA096.jpg?v=1768583396","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-russian-mosin-nagant-m1891-three-line-rifle-by-sestroretsk-arsenal-serial-32508-dated-1896-with-leather-sling-no-finnish-markings","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}