The Mosin-Nagant (in French spelling Mossine-Nagant), also known as the three-line rifle, was a five-round manual repeating rifled military rifle used by the armed forces of Imperial Russia and later by the Soviet Union and the various countries of the Eastern Bloc.
In service in various forms from 1891 to 1963, it was the first to use the 7.62x54mm R cartridge. It was eventually replaced by the SVD Dragunov.
History
During the Russo-Turkish conflict from 1877 to 1878, Russian troops were mostly armed with single-shot Berdan rifles, while the Turks had Winchester repeating rifles. In 1882, the Russian Ministry of Armaments decided to design a weapon fed by a magazine of several cartridges. After the unsuccessful attempt to modify the Berdan, a "special commission for the experimentation of magazine rifles" is created to test several designs (just like the Mauser, Lee-Metford and Lebel).
In 1889, a young captain named Sergueï Mossine submitted his project for a 3-line rifle (an old Russian measure, 3 lines equivalent to 0.3 inch or 7.62 mm) in competition with Léon Nagant's 3.5-line rifle. (of Belgian origin). But, at the end of the trial period in 1891, the various testers preferred Nagant's rifle. In the vote of the Commission for the approval of the rifle, the Mossin rifle receives 14 votes against 10. However, more influential officers push the manufacturers to a compromise:the Mosin rifles will be used with the supply system of Nagant. This is how the 3 Line Rifle, Model 1891 (its official designation at the time) was created.
Production began in 1892 at the factories of the Tula, Sestroretsk and Izhevsk arsenals. Because of the limited capacities of these factories, 500,000 of these weapons are produced at the Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Châtellerault in France. During the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, about 3,800,000 rifles were delivered to the army.
Between the adoption, in 1891 and 1910, several variants and modifications to existing rifles were made, including the change of sights, the installation of a reinforced breech (due to the adoption of a 147-grain warhead ), the removal of the steel fingers behind the trigger guard, a new barrel and the installation of a roller mount. A handful has also been added.
Ukrainian partisans during World War II equipped with Mossin-Nagant rifles.
With Russia entering the war in 1914, production was restricted to M1891 cavalry and M1891 infantry for simplicity. Due to the lack of arms and the deprivations of an industry still in development, the Russian government ordered 1,500,000 rifles from the American manufacturer Remington Arms and 1,800,000 from New England Westinghouse.
Large numbers of Mosin-Nagants captured by German and Austro-Hungarian forces were seen in service in the rear lines of the front and in the German Navy. Many of these were sold to Finland in the 1920s.
During the Russian Civil War both cavalry and infantry versions were in production, albeit in extremely small numbers. After the victory of the Red Army, a department was created in 1924 to modernize the rifle, which was then used for another thirty years. This directed the development of the Model 1891/30, based on the design of the original Model Cavalry. Changes include:the reintroduction of flat rear sights, the rescheduling of the rear sight in meters in place of the ancient archin on the Tsar's arms and the shortening of the barrel to 5mm. In addition, a new spring bayonet is designed for this new model. The rifle is designed to fire with the bayonet extended, which increases its accuracy due to the harmonic vibrations created when a bullet is fired. Around 1945, 1,747,500 M1891/30 were manufactured.
In the 1930s, the Mosin-Nagant had a precision version (in 1932), and was used by Soviet snipers during the Second World War. He notably served during the battle of Stalingrad which made heroes of Russian snipers like Vassili Zaïtsev or Roza Chanina. These rifles were renowned for their strength, reliability, accuracy and ease of maintenance. Precision models are highly prized by collectors, particularly in the West.
In the post-war years, the Soviet Union stopped the production of all Mosin-Nagants to gradually replace them with the SKS and AK series. Despite this, the Mosin-Nagant will still be used in the Eastern bloc and in the rest of the world for several decades, notably during the Cold War in Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan and all along the Iron Curtain. . It was not only used as a reserve weapon, but also in combat.
Recently, a large amount of Mosin-Nagant has been found in the American antique and collector's markets, as it is also a reliable weapon for hunting, quite accurate and cheap. Standard models can currently be found at prices around $80, thanks to the huge surpluses created by Soviet industries during World War II. There are many models for snipers, but they are much more expensive, if you can find one. Imitation sniper rifles are also in circulation, or even simple replicas that can be found for sale at the price of the real ones; caution is therefore required to avoid scams and confusion.
Variants produced by Russia and the Soviet Union
Main users, imperial Russia and then the communist USSR produced many variants copied or adapted abroad.
Imperial period (1893-1917)
Infantry rifle model 1891 (Russian name:пeхoтнaя винтовка образца 1891-гo года). The main weapon of Russia and the Red Army from 1891 to 1930.
Cavalry rifle (Russian name:драгунскaя). Intended to equip the cavalry. 64 mm shorter and 0.4 kg lighter than the M1891.
Cossack Rifle (Russian name:казaчья). Created to equip the Cossacks, it is about the same as the cavalry model, but it is designed to be used without a bayonet.
Carbine model 1907. Shorter and lighter (0, 95 kg) than the M1891, this model was excellent for cavalry, engineers and gunners. He could not receive a bayonet. It was produced at least until 1917 in limited numbers.
Communist period (around 1917-1950)
Model 1891/30 (Russian name:винтовка образца 1891/30-гo года, винтовка Мосина). The most common version of Mosin-Nagant. It was produced and distributed to the entire Soviet army from 1930 to 1945. Its plans were based on the cavalry model.
so-called sniper rifle, sniperskaya. at least three variants exist with 3 different bezels and different mountings. All have the elongated and angled bolt handle.
One, the most basic [unclear] with the PU bezel (3.5x22) and a side mounting, another with the PE bezel, more elaborate and the last one with the PEM bezel and its specific mounting, screwed to the front of the box as well. These three rifles are sought after because despite their rusticity, they are remarkably accurate and have done considerable damage among the German soldiers engaged in the east.
Model 1938 carbine. A rifle based on plans for the M1891/30. It was in service from 1938 to 1945, although examples produced in 1945 are quite rare. It's basically an M1891/30 with a shortened barrel; this rifle does not accept a bayonet.
Model 1944 rifle. This rifle was put into service at the end of 1943 and remained in production until 1948. Its specificities are very similar to the M1938 at the exception of the bayonet fixed permanently on the model 44; this one has a quadrangular blade of 430 mm. These rifles were not only used by the USSR but also by its various satellite countries.
Carbine model 1891/59x. Existing M1891/30s that were shortened to carbine length. Not much is known about them. Collectors generally wary of this designation believe that this model was produced for commercial purposes by importers of weapons in Canada.
Foreign variants
Austro-Hungary
The Austro-Hungarian Empire captured a large amount of Mosin-Nagant during World War I. These rifles were redistributed to troops on the battlefield. A few have been modified to fire the Austrian cartridge in service, the 8x50r mm. The Austrians also produced various ersatz bayonets for the Mosin.
Eastern Europe
With Russia's strong influence over Eastern Europe, it's no surprise that many Mosin-Nagants were in the hands of soldiers during the Balkan War or the Hot War.
The militaries of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Serbia all used the Mosin-Nagant at one time or another during the 20th century. The Mosin in these countries often underwent modifications, and were often used in the years 2000-2006 as training rifles. Many of these rifles were still produced locally during the Hot War years. Hungary produced for commercial purposes high-quality copies of the M44 carbines, models 91-30 and 91-30 with PU scopes. Czechoslovakia made the VZ54 sniper rifle, based on the 91-30 but with the appearance of a very modern sporting weapon.
People's Republic of China
During the 1920s and 1930s, Communist forces in China received Mosin-Nagants from the USSR to counter Nationalist forces during the Chinese Civil War. China began to manufacture M1944s under the designation of Carbine Type 53. The machines used to produce them were supplied by the Soviet Union in the early 1950s. They differ a little from the Soviet models. They were replaced in the main Chinese army around 1957, and continued to serve in provincial militias until after 1970.
Finland
Before 1917, Finland was part of the Russian Empire and military units were equipped with various models of the Russian M1891.
After gaining independence, Finland bought many Mosins from abroad, mostly Austrian and German rifles captured from the Russians during World War I. These older guns were usually refurbished; it could be as small as the punches of the Finnish army (SA) and a new sling, or very important as a total redesign with new mountings, sights, triggers and a more precise barrel in diameter 308 and not 311. The Finnish army as well as the Civil Guard designed and produced several new models of Mosin-Nagant, using the French, Russian and American magazines. Finland never produced magazines and took those from purchased or captured rifle stocks. During the Winter War between 1939 and 1940, and until 1944, Finland will have taken gigantic quantities of Mosin from the enemy. Finland still bought Spain's remaining Civil War rifles and Nazi Germany stockpiles from Spain. Many of these rifles were simply redistributed to the front.
The Finnish military continued to refurbish and redistribute Mosin-Nagants long after the war with the USSR was over. There are M-39s with barrels that date back to the early 1970s when they were supplied as training rifles. Finland also distributed the 7.62 TaK85, a modern sniper rifle modified from the Mosin-Nagant.
The Finnish models were identified by the numbers:M/91-M24 "Lotta rifle", M27, M28, M28-30 "Pystykorva" (pointed) and M39 "Ukko-Pekka". It can be noticed that the Finnish M27, 28, 28-30 and 39 rifles were equipped with a "knife" bayonet unlike the Russian quadrangular bayonets.
Finnish Mosin-Nagants are renowned for their precision and reliability. The famous sniper Simo Häyhä is by far considered the greatest sniper in history and used an M28 "Pystykorva".
The M39 model is the most successful Mosin both in terms of its ergonomics (pistol stock) and its quality of finish and precision. The sights are equivalent to the best rifles of the time (Swiss MQ 31), finely adjustable in all directions and the trigger of a perfect frankness. We will also note its barrel made by SAKO[What?].
Finnish Mosin-Nagant technical sheets
The Finnish army developed and used versions of the Mosin-Nagant which had specific features:
Germany
The German Empire captured a large amount of Mosin-Nagant during World War I. These received various modifications, including recalibration to 8x57S Mauser. Many were equipped with a mounting adapted to receive a German blade bayonet. These rifles were distributed to the second line and to the Kriegsmarine. The Nazis also captured hundreds of thousands of rifles of various designs during World War II.
Sniper versions were used successfully by the Germans as they were very reliable and more accurate as they were easier to adjust beyond 400 yards. In addition, throwing it before capture by the enemy would have made it possible to escape the terrible abuse inflicted on enemy snipers.
A few were sold to Finland, many were used for training, guard duty and occupied territories. After World War II, Mosin-Nagants were used to guard the borders of East Germany.
North Korea
The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China supplied significant numbers of Mosin-Nagants to North Korea during the Korean War. However, the policy of autarky still in effect today meant that North Korea produced its rifles itself. Some accounts claim that Mosin-Nagant snipers were still in service in 1993.
Poland
In the 1920s, Poland recalibrated around 77,000 Mosin-Nagants to 8mmMauser (8x57S). Many modifications were made:the barrels were rechambered in 8 mm and shortened to 23 inches in length. Other modifications were made to the breeches and magazines to allow the use of the blade-magazines and to ensure a correct supply. The rear sight was modified to adapt to the trajectory of the bullet of 8x57S. The stock was shortened and a Mauser-type bayonet mount was added to accommodate the blades produced by Perkun. These rifles were called Karabinek wz. 91/98/23 or wz. 91/98/26 with some minor differences.
The Wz. 91/98/25 equipped cavalry and horse artillery units in the regular army until Polish-made Mausers became available. In the early 1930s, they were distributed to border posts and the National Guard.
The rifles are marked with a small Polish eagle and the caliber of the weapon on the back of the rifle. The eagle and serial number are also stamped on the left side of the magazine and on all parts of the breech. This has a clear and unique appearance on all declinations of Mosin-Nagant.
After World War II, Poland produced a large amount of M-44 carbines (Kb. wz M48) at the Radom arsenal. Many of them have not been directly in use, but have instead been stored in warehouses until they are needed. These Mosin-Nagants can be identified by an 11 inscribed within a circle struck on the rifle magazine. This mark is their “country code” which identifies which Eastern European country made it. In addition to being stored, they were produced in the ideal of Soviet weaponry, making them one of the best examples of Mosin-Nagant in the world.
Turkey
Like Germany and Austro-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire captured many of the Mosin-Nagants during World War I. Many were then acquired with German aid, or when the White Army sought refuge after the Russian Civil War. These rifles were used in the Turkish War of Independence and against Greek forces in the Greco-Turkish War.
Others
United States and allied military forces encountered Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines in action in the hands of Viet Cong guerrillas and North Vietnamese Army soldiers. These weapons came from the Warsaw Pact countries, the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.
A number of Russian M-1944s and Chinese Type 53s were used as grenade launchers along with local copies of the US M7 grenade launcher. PU-scoped M91/30 sniper rifles were also seen. Many Chinese and Soviet Mosin-Nagants were repatriated to the United States as war trophies by Vietnam veterans.
Some rifles were then used by the United States. When the Czar was dethroned in 1917, the US government canceled the contract originally signed by the New England Westinghouse and the Remington Arms. Rather than delivering the remainder to the Bolsheviks, all rifles in transit were purchased by the US Army. Rifles that remained in Britain were used by the US and British expeditionary forces sent to northern Russia in 1918-1920. Rifles still in America eventually came to be used primarily for US Army marksmanship training and in some places to equip US National Guard or SATC and ROTC units. They were called "U.S. Rifle, 7.62 mm, Model of 1916". In 1917, 50,000 of these rifles were sent via Vladivostok to equip the Czech-Slovak legions in Siberia to help them in their endeavor to secure a passage to France.
After World War I, the remaining rifles were declared surplus and were sold to members of the National Rifle Association for only $3.34 each. Thus began the Americans' long addiction to the Mosin-Nagant.
Virtually every country that received military aid from the old Soviet Union used Mosin-Nagant at one time or another. The Spanish Republicans purchased tens of thousands of Mosins of all types during the Spanish Civil War. It is estimated that most M91/30s of Soviet production went to Spain.
During the Cold War period, countries in the Middle East under Soviet influence:Egypt, Syria, Iraq and the Palestinian guerrillas received Mosins in addition to other modern weapons.
The Mosin-Nagant was also seen in action in the hands of the mujahideen in Afghanistan during the occupation of the USSR in the years 1970-80. These were also used by the forces of the Northern Alliance in the 1990s and the beginning of the 21st century. They are also seen in the hands of Chechen rebels alongside modern Russian weapons.
The Warsaw Pact countries have produced training rifles in caliber 22LR which use the Mosin-Nagant design:for example the Polish WZ or the Hungarian Lampagyar.
Presentation
Country Imperial Russia, Soviet Union
Type Rifle, Carbine
Ammunition
Finnish variants :7.62 x 54mm R, 7.62×53mmR (en)
Polish variants :7.92mm Mauser
Manufacturer :Tula, Izhmash, Sestroretsk, Manufacture d'armes de Châtellerault, Remington, Westinghouse
Period of use 1891-1963
Weights and dimensions
Mass (unloaded) 4 kg (M91/30) 3.4 kg (M38) 4.1 kg (M44)
Length(s) 1287 mm (M91/30) 1013 mm (rifles) 1433 mm (M44)
Barrel length :730 mm (M91/30) 514 mm (rifles)
Technical characteristics
Mode of action Bolt Action Rifle
Magazine Capacity with 5 cartridges
Sight Metallic sight