History of WWI Primer 074: Russian Mosin-Nagant 1891 Documentary

Published on April 10, 2018
Duration: 102:21

This video provides an in-depth historical and technical examination of the Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifle, tracing its development from earlier Russian firearms and foreign influences. It details the complex design choices, challenges, and compromises made during its creation, focusing on the bolt mechanism, magazine system, and cartridge development. The presenter, with a clear passion for firearms history, explains the reasoning behind many of the Mosin-Nagant's unique features, offering insights into its evolution into a long-serving service rifle.

Quick Summary

The Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifle, weighing 9.5 pounds and measuring 51.5 inches, chambers the 7.62x54mmR cartridge and feeds from a five-round stripper clip-loaded magazine. Its development was spurred by the need for repeating rifles after the Russo-Turkish War, and its final design incorporated features aimed at reliability and cost-effective mass production.

Chapters

  1. 00:00:00Introduction: The Infamous Mosin-Nagant
  2. 00:25:00Mosin-Nagant 1891: Specs and Overview
  3. 01:43:00Historical Context: Berdan Rifle and Early Repeating Arms
  4. 03:30:00The Siege of Plevna and its Impact
  5. 06:06:00Push for a Magazine System: Chief Artillery Director Sofianov
  6. 08:09:00Commission for New Rifle Testing: Colonel Shagun
  7. 11:43:00The Shefsky Rifle and Tubular Magazine Issues
  8. 13:56:00Sergey Mosin's Design: Model 1884
  9. 16:16:00Problems with Mosin's 1884 Model
  10. 17:35:00Mosin's Improved Model 1885
  11. 19:15:00The Arms Race: Smokeless Powder and New Designs
  12. 23:01:00Mosin's 1888 Design: Small Bore and Smokeless Powder
  13. 27:48:00Dual Programs: Rifle and Magazine Development
  14. 29:08:00Cartridge Development: 8mm Lebel Influence
  15. 30:41:00Mosin's Contributions to the Commission Rifle
  16. 33:07:00Shagun's Proposal: The 7.62x54mmR Cartridge
  17. 34:46:001890 Commission Rifle Trials
  18. 35:19:00Mosin's Final Design and Bolt Improvements
  19. 40:10:00The Mosin Bolt: Design Flaws and 'Rubbery' Feel
  20. 45:58:00Magazine Development: The Nagant Brothers
  21. 49:31:00Magazine Requirements and Nagant's Design
  22. 52:52:00Mosin's Magazine Improvements
  23. 57:26:001890 Trials: Mosin vs. Nagant Rifles
  24. 61:17:00Decision: Why the Mosin-Nagant Was Adopted
  25. 62:14:00The Final 1891 Mosin-Nagant: Key Features
  26. 62:37:00Inside the 1891 Russian Rifle: Bolt and Interrupter
  27. 65:21:00Evolution to the Final Mosin-Nagant Model
  28. 65:43:00The Mosin-Nagant Bayonet

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifle?

The Mosin-Nagant 1891 is a large and heavy rifle, weighing approximately 9.5 pounds with an overall length of 51.5 inches. It chambers the 7.62x54mmR rimmed cartridge and uses a five-round, single-stack box magazine loaded with stripper clips.

What historical events influenced the development of the Mosin-Nagant 1891?

The development was significantly influenced by the Russo-Turkish War, particularly the Siege of Plevna in 1877, which highlighted the tactical disadvantages of single-shot rifles against repeating firearms like the Winchester.

What are some of the unique design features of the Mosin-Nagant bolt?

The Mosin-Nagant bolt features a shroud to protect the cocking piece from debris, a multi-functional interrupter/ejector, and a rail system. While reliable, these features contribute to a 'rubbery' feel due to intentionally loose tolerances for cost-effective manufacturing.

Why was the Mosin-Nagant 1891 chosen over the Nagant rifle for Russian service?

The Mosin-Nagant was chosen primarily due to production advantages: Russian arsenals were already tooled for its design, it accommodated looser tolerances making mass production easier, and it was more cost-effective to produce than the Nagant rifle.

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