American Mosin Nagant Rifles

Published on January 30, 2017
Duration: 18:30

This video provides an expert overview of American-made Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles, detailing their WWI production by Remington and Westinghouse due to Russian shortages. Instructor Ian McCollum highlights specific markings, historical context, and the post-war fates of these significant firearms. The content emphasizes detailed knowledge of production contracts and arsenal markings, signaling high expertise.

Quick Summary

American Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles were produced in the US during WWI by Remington and Westinghouse to address severe Russian military shortages. Key markings include manufacturer names, dates, and sometimes US property stamps or foreign service marks like the Finnish 'SA'. The Russian Revolution disrupted shipments, leading to a US government bailout of these manufacturers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: American Mosin Nagants
  2. 00:42Early Russian Production & Shortages
  3. 03:44Russian Military Failures
  4. 05:05US Production Contracts
  5. 08:37Impact of the Russian Revolution
  6. 10:48Remington Rifle Details
  7. 13:13Westinghouse Rifle Details
  8. 15:06Post-War Fate and Surplus

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were Mosin Nagant rifles produced in the United States during World War I?

Significant production of Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles occurred in the US by companies like Remington and Westinghouse due to severe small arms shortages faced by the Russian military during WWI. Russia needed an estimated 17 million rifles but had far fewer available.

What are the key markings to look for on an American-made Mosin Nagant M1891?

American Mosin Nagants often display markings from their US manufacturers, such as 'REMINGTON ARMORY 1917' or 'NEW ENGLAND WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY 1915'. They may also feature US property stamps like a 'flaming bomb' and, if they saw later service, foreign marks like the Finnish 'SA'.

What happened to American Mosin Nagant rifles after World War I?

After WWI, many American Mosin Nagants were sold as surplus, sometimes rechambered to .30-06. They found their way into service in countries like Finland and Spain, and the US government also used them for training and expeditions.

How did the Russian Revolution affect US Mosin Nagant production?

The 1917 Russian Revolution caused the new Bolshevik government to refuse payment and further shipments of Mosin Nagants from US manufacturers. This left companies like Remington and Westinghouse with unpaid inventory, leading to a US government bailout to prevent their financial collapse.

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