Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original pre-1899 Imperial Russian Mosin-Nagant Model 1891 Three-Line Infantry Rifle manufactured at Tula Arsenal in 1895, serial number 80157. It remains in the original full length infantry rifle configuration rather than having been shortened or rebuilt to the later Soviet 91/30 pattern. The rifle subsequently saw Finnish service and carries the boxed SA property marking, while retaining an intriguing mixture of Imperial Russian, later Soviet, and Finnish era components and markings.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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, however it has the original sling swivels installed on oval bushings, and is otherwise still in the original issued confiburation.

The rifle has lots of issue markings, and is marked with serial number № 80157 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.

№ 80157

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 crossed out number 121043, while the end of the bolt handle has 1615, neither of which match the receiver. There are proof marks but none that are definitive for either Imperial Russian or Soviet era. The magazine housing however has the Tula "Star" marking used during the soviet area, in addition to serial number 91727. The butt plate has several faint markings on the tang, but none that we can identify, while the rear is marked with serial numbers 48997 and 31613. The nose cap and rear sight leaf are both marked with the "Bow and Arrow" of Izhevsk arsenal, a Czarist marking which was discontinued following the Russian revolution and subsequent civil war.

The right side of the butt stock on the rifle is marked with a clear "Crossed hammers" with a circle over it, with a 9 inside the circle, which indicates stock inspection, or the maker. Next to this is a rectangle stamped with AV3 9958, a marking that we do not recognize, but believe to be Finnish in origin.

Overall condition shows wear and past oxidation to the metalwork, with some evidence of past peppering and minor pitting in areas, particularly on the receiver area, and inside. This is also present on the barrel, and we observed some rust present on barrel under the hand guard when looking for the receiver marking.

The walnut stock is in very good condition for its age and shows the dents, dings, scratches, and handling wear expected from extended military use. The left side displays pronounced wear along the raised upper portion, consistent with repeated contact against a hard surface. The stock shows evidence of cleaning but does not appear to have undergone a major modern refinish or restoration.

The original style cleaning rod remains present and threads correctly into the stock. Both barrel bands remain secure, though small flat head screws have been installed adjacent to them to prevent movement.

The action cycles smoothly during manual inspection and the trigger releases crisply. Magazine feeding was not tested. The bore is in very good condition for a rifle of this age, with a mostly bright surface and strong lands and grooves. The rifling shows clear evidence of use, including somewhat rounded lands and darker grooves from old fouling and oxidation.

The muzzle has been counterbored approximately 1", an arsenal style modification commonly used to remove worn or damaged rifling at the crown and restore a more consistent muzzle condition. These mechanical and bore observations describe only the rifle’s current condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its matching 1895 Tula barrel and receiver dates, original full length Model 1891 infantry configuration, Imperial arsenal markings, Finnish boxed SA property stamp, metric altered rear sight, surviving Imperial Izhevsk components, original style cleaning rod, and extensive evidence of continued military service, this is a particularly interesting early Mosin-Nagant rifle. The nonmatching bolt and furniture, Soviet marked magazine housing, removed receiver eagle, oxidation on the receiver and barrel, stock wear, added barrel band retaining screws, counterbored muzzle, and mixed service components are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Imperial Russian arms, Finnish military rifle, early Mosin-Nagant, Tula Arsenal, or advanced 19th century military firearms collection.

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Maker: Tula Arsenal
Model: 1891 Mosin-Nagant Rifle
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
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.