I wrote this article back in 2012. I hope that you enjoy it... I have created this document to help the individual that is new to the Mosin or someone that has been collecting them for years. I hope that you can print this document to help when you are out looking at rifles to help you understand what you are looking at and a little of the history behind the rifle. Oddly enough the first Mosin Nagant rifles were not made in Russia. They were made in France. The Mosin 1891/30 Chatellerault rifle is one of the rarest of the Mosin line of rifles. France was the only country at the time that Russia had a treaty with and the Russian industrial system was overloaded when the rifle was developed. The Chatellerault rifle was produced under contract in France from 1892 until 1895. The Mosin rifle was also produced in Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, China, Romania and the United States. The rifles were also re-arsenaled in the countries listed above as well as Austria, Germany, The German Democratic Republic, Cuba, Korea and Turkey. Produced or built is subject to interpretation. Most countries built their version of the Mosin on a captured Russian receiver. While countries like Finland produced a fine line of the Mosin rifle. Below is a basic listing of production years and amounts as well as where they were produced. M1891 Rifle: Chatellerault/France – 1892/1895 – 503,539 Tula – 1892/1926 – 4,388,242 Izhevsk – 1892/1926 – 1,486,236 Sestroryetsk – 1892/1918 – 621,000 M1891 Dragoon Rifle: Tula & Izhevsk – 1893/1932 – 4,331,000 M1891 Cossack Rifle: Izhevsk – 1894/1920-21 – 1,348,000 M1891/1930 Rifle: M91/30 Tula & Izhevsk – 1927/1945 – 14,000,000 M1938 Rifle: - M38/Carbine Tula – 1940 & 1944 – 50,000 Izhevsk – 1939/1945 – 2,450,000 M1944 Rifle: - M44/Carbine Tula – 1944 – 100,000 Izhevsk – 1943/1948 – 7,561,831 The 1943 rifles were considered to be prototype rifles and are harder to find. There is a rumor that there were a few 1943 Tula made M44’s but I have never seen one in person. Model 1907 Rifle: M1907/Carbine - One of the rarest Mosin’s made Izhevsk – 1907/1917 – First Pattern – 4,400 – Second Pattern – 300,000 Model 1891/59 Rifle: 91/59 - Carbine Little is known about this Carbine other than it was made from a cut down M1891/30 full sized rifle. It has been estimated that between 1,000,000 and 3,000,000 were made. No one knows for sure where they were produced other than Russia. They were thought to be used for either Border Patrol troops or Internal Russian Guards. Most are considered to be excellent shooters and were made with no bayonet. ______________________________________________________________________ Now we come to the Finnish rifles, one of the collectors favorites. These guns were better built and had a high quality barrel compared to its Russian counterpart. The Finn’s also hated the Russian triggers and added a small spring to the trigger group to take up the additional slack in the trigger. Model 1891 Rifle SAT – Marked SAT Riihimaki – 1922/1924 – 150 to 200 Rarest of the Finn’s called the SAT M91’s. Finland’s first attempt at making new barrels. Model 1924 Rifle – 1924/1928 – 27,000 These rifles were made using German made barrels. Model 1891 Early Tikka Rifle – 1925/1927 – 10,000 Model 1891 P Series Rifle – 1925/1927 – 13,450 Made using older Russian barrels. Model 1891 Rifle Tikka – 1940/1944 – 45,000 Model 1891 Rifle VKT and Model 1891 B Barrel – 1940/1942 – 32,000 Model 1927 Rifle – Tikka 1927/1940 - VKT 1032/1935 – Tikka – 69,000/VKT - 2550 Model 1927 Carbine – Tikka 1933/1934 - VKT – 1937 – Tikka – 2000/VKT – 225 Model 1928 Rifle – SIG 1928/1932 – SAKO 1928/1932 – Total Production 35,000 Model 1928/1930 Rifle – 1933/1940 – SAKO – 40,000 Model 1939 Rifle – 1940/1945 – SAKO, VKT, B, Tikka – Total Production 108,800 NOTE: There were approximately 8000 to 9000 rifles produced post war between the 1960’s and the 1970’s. These rifles were made from the unfinished rifles and unused parts from the earlier production years. Model 1891/1930 Rifle – Tikka – 1943/1944 – 14,000 I know that there is no way that this list is complete. This is just a synopsis of the common rifles made during these periods of time to use as a reference when looking at and trying to determine where a rifle was made or where it came from. New England Westinghouse/Remington The Russian Government ordered 1.8 million rifles from New England Westinghouse and 1.5 million rifles from Remington-UMC as well as 100,000,000 rounds of 7.62X54r ammunition. They were produced between 1915/1918 when production was halted due to Russian legal issues and their inability to pay for the finished product. Remington-UMC produced 840,310 rifles and delivered 131,400 to Russia New England Westinghouse produced 770,000 and delivered 225,260 to Russia. The rest of the rifles were sold to the American government as well as other government entities around the world. Both companies took a major loss in the production of these rifles. Austria and Hungarian Rifles: Large numbers of captured rifles were issued into service with the 7.62X54r round. When supplies of the ammunition ran short the rifles were re-arsenaled and converted to the 8X50 Austrian round at the Wiener-Neustadt Amory. After Hungary became a Soviet satellite the rifles made their way back into Hungarian armories and the M44 carbine was produced after WWII. China: China made the Mosin Type 53 carbine based on the M44 design. Made in factory 26 for interior security forces, they were produced until 1960. A very rare version was made as a trainer in the 7.62X39 round and very few have ever been seen. Czechoslovakia: M91/38 carbines were made based on the standard M38 design. The Odstrelovaci Pujka VZ.54 sniper rifle was made built on a specially finished design on what was the basic 1891/30 rifle pattern. It was designed to shoot special 7.62 ball ammo made for the Goryunov Machine Gun. It had a pistol grip half stock and a free floated barrel. Large numbers of this variant were never made but it was considered to be a very accurate and dependable rifle. Hungary: Large quantities of the Hungarian M/44 were made by FEG in Budapest in the early 1950’s. They also produced the standard 91/30 sniper rifle as well. Korea: Korea produced a poor quality version of the 91/30 rifle in the 1950’s labeled as the Type 30. Poland: The Polish government produced Mosin’s as early as the 1920’s converted to a 7.9mm barrel. The rifle fed a rimless type cartridge and was designated as the WZ.91/98/25. They also made a poor quality version of the M/44 and the 91/30 as well. They did produce a High Quality Trainer in the .22 LR round made at the famous Radom State Arsenal. NOTE: The Polish Post War M44's have been described as being equal in quality and accuracy to the Finnish rifles made during the war. Barrels and stocks were considered to be of top quality. Romania: The Romanians produced large amounts of the M/44 for their own use as well as for sale to third world countries. They also produced unknown amounts of rifles based on the 91.30 platform as well. Mosin Rifle Markings: This list is in no way complete. It is a basic list of markings found on rifles and may help you to identify what you are looking at: Tula Markings:May be on Barrel Shank or Receiver or Stock: Tula Hammer (pre 1928) on the Receiver Tula Arrow in Star (post 1928) on the Barrel Shank Tula Star Bolt body Tula Hammer in Circle Bolt body Tula Refurbishment mark Barrel Shank will be a T stamped in a Square Tula "S N" Sniper mark Barrel Shank Tula "S P" Sniper mark Barrel shank Tula Hammer and date (pre 1900) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Tula Hammer and date (post 1900) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Tula Star and date (post 1928) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Tula "hammer" cartouche with date stamped on the Stock Tula "Arrow in Star" and date stamped on the Stock Tula Star on Cocking knob Not Tula Specific but may be on Barrel Shank or Receiver or Stock: Point of aim proof Barrel shank will be a K stamped in a Circle Concentric "00" Accuracy proof Barrel shank "MO" with extra date Ministry of Defense, which means it was set aside for internal Goverment use. Sometimes will be double dated Soviet "CCCP" cartouche stamped on the Stock Soviet Crest Barrel shank, which is the Hammer and Sickle stamped in a double leaf cluster "YY" training mark M91/30 stock Cyrillic letters - 2 in an oval believed to represent a training school M91/30 stock Older Mosin Black Powder Markings Provisional black powder proof Barrel shank, will look like an N stamped in a Circle Final black powder proof Barrel shank, will look like a Y stamped in a Circle Izhevsk Markings:May be on Barrel Shank or Receiver or Stock: Izhevsk Bow and Arrow (pre 1928) Barrel shank Izhevsk Arrow in Triangle (post 1928) Barrel shank Izhevsk Bow and Arrow Bolt body Izhevsk Bow and Arrow Cocking knob Izhevsk Bow and Arrow Sear/Bolt stop Izhevsk Bow and Arrow and date (pre 1928) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Izhevsk Arrow in Triangle and date (post 1928) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Not Izhevsk Specific but may be on Barrel Shank or Receiver or Stock: Point of aim proof Barrel shank will be a K stamped in a Circle Concentric "00" Accuracy proof Barrel shank "MO" with extra date Ministry of Defense, which means it was set aside for internal Goverment use. Sometimes will be double dated Soviet "CCCP" cartouche stamped on the Stock Soviet Crest Barrel shank, which is the Hammer and Sickle stamped in a double leaf cluster "YY" training mark M91/30 stock Cyrillic letters - 2 in an oval believed to represent a training school M91/30 stock Cossack Rifle Markings: Not very many examples of these KA3.Cossack rifle mark Barrel shank Sestroryetsk Markings: Sestroryetsk Arrow Trigger Sestroryetsk Arrow Cocking knob Sestroryetsk Arrow and date (2 digit pre 1900) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Sestroryetsk Arrow and date (3 digit post 1900) marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking New England Westinghouse Markings: New England Westinghouse E Bolt body New England Westinghouse N Follower carrier spring New England Westinghouse M with arrow or Can be other letters. On top of tang, no markings on bottom Remington Markings: Remington Circle R Bolt body Remington Circle R, no date marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Remington Circle R, no date marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Chatellerault Markings: Chatellerault Circle C and date marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Chatellerault Circle P, no date marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Finnish Rifle Markings Boxed SA Suomen Armeija Finnish Army Property Mark Boxed SA t - t stands for Taisteluvälinehallinto Ordnance Department Puolustuslaitos - Defense Department This was used for 2 months in 1942 before the adoption of [SA] on Barrel shank Crossed Cannons and AV1 This was an early Tikka M91 Mark on receiver Suojeluskuntain Yliesikunta for Civil Guard was an acceptance stamp on Barrel shank =II= Inspection mark which can be I or III also Civil Guard M24, M28, and M28/30 found stamped on buttplates Romanian Markings Romanian arrowhead in triangle and date marked on the rear Tang on the bottom, must take the rifle apart to see this marking Romanian arrowhead in triangle mark found on Butt plate and other parts Romanian C in triangle mark found on Butt plate and other parts Other Markings: Crown over Cyrillic "NP" possibly stock acceptance mark under buttplate "YY" training rifle mark M44 bayonet locking ring Sling maker's mark Sling reinforcement "00" replaced concentric "00" for a brief time in the late '20s at Izhevsk Accuracy proof Barrel shank On the "MO" Marks on Mosin Rifles please check this link to 7.62X54r for a detailed explanation of these markings. They explain it way better than I ever could:
I had two Mosin-Nagant Rifles, both were M91/30. They were cheap, and made a great rainy day deer rifle! Plus, it's the rifle that won WW2 in Europe!
My vote for the rifle that won WW II in Europe and in the Pacific would be the Caliber .30 M1 Garand...And the Men behind them. Update: I should have posted earlier, That is a fine doc on Mosins!
We won the WW2 in the Pacific! The Soviet Union killed 8 out of 10 German soldiers in Europe and captured Berlin! The largest battles on the Western Front were skirmishes on the Eastern Front. The Eastern Front stretched 2500 miles from the Arctic to the Black Sea, while the Western Front was 200 miles at the most. Also, the Soviet Red Army substantially outnumbered ALL Allied and Axis Armies in Europe, combined! We did our part, but they won the war in Europe!
I own one that I got over three decades ago. I am lucky, the little rifle was pristine. Very accurate and when you shoot it blows the biggest fireball out of the barrel end you have ever seen. When you shoot it at a range the boom is so loud that people will stop to look at you. It's size and weight make it a good rifle to tromp around in the woods with.
dat aint xactly right, plus da numbers aint quite right, da Western Front sure wasnt 200 miles, we ran Arctic Convoys ta supply da ungrateful rooskies, used special ops in Norway, fought from da Arctic all da way ta Africa n beyond, we wuz fightin in da entire Atlantic Ocean [ North n South ], Italy, Africa, France, India, parts of Asia, Australia, plus da entire Pacific n oder places most casualties in WWI n WWII was caused by artillery n machine guns n aircraft not bolt action rifles
Not everyone was a fan of the Garand. "In 1943, the British Army tested M1 Garand rifles as a possible replacement for the Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III rifles but rejected it after concluding that the design did not meet British demands."
Interesting! Do you have any more specifics like why it didn't meet demands? It served well in both fronts, totally different conditions, so either the Brits had something very specific in mind, or they were completely wrong. Was it due to the Garand being semi and Enfield bolt-action? I could see how that could be worrisome especially given the bolt-action reliability was proven for eons.
The one source is a book which cannot be found online in its entirety. It does seem to say it was tested in 1939 not 1943. Details are missin. Perhaps there is another source
plus General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised". [ up to dat point in history ] ya cant git a better endorsement
I believe part of the issue with the Brits was the thinking of the day. Many schools of thought that a bolt action rifle would have their soldiers conserve their ammunition and make each shot count. Many thought if you had a semi automatic or automatic rifle the ammunition would be wasted and create a larger supply logistics issue. It was also an economic decision. The Brits were strapped for cash and resources. Saving money on a new rifle and more ammunition was a large factor.
if it happened in 1939 yep, sounds plausible if the trial happened in 1943 prewar thinkin would not apply, by 1943 we was producin all kinds uv stuff n things in massive quantities includin ammo
Had a C&R license and bought several mummy wrapped Mosin rifles still have them-- still wrapped back in the day they were dirt cheap
Yeah, this sounds logical and @sec_monkey point of more feasible in 1939 makes even more sense as in 1939 the Brits were short of everything as they had neglected their military horribly in the years between the wars (who didn't...except Germany and Japan). Once they woke up and realized war was coming...well, ammunition conservation would make sense. We also must understand that as an island nation much of the materials for manufacturing was imported which even makes more sense to conserve. I would imagine even as early as 1943 the M1 Garand had proved itself as had the higher rate of fire as a combat multiplier. EDIT: Thinking about it more, I mean, they had to know the advantage of higher firing rate, for when the Germans faced the Brits for the first time in WW1, in Belgium, the rate of fire was so high from the Brits, since they train for speed shooting, that the Germans thought they were facing much larger units. So, seems logical that if one was looking to conserve ammo, plus save time in production and certainly cost, the old Enfield was the way to go as might not be optimum but would do the job.
