I Have This Old Gun: 1891 Mosin Nagant

Published on September 29, 2025
Duration: 4:31

This video provides a historical and technical overview of the 1891 Mosin Nagant rifle. It details its adoption by Tsarist forces, its evolution into a symbol of Soviet communism, and the naming controversy surrounding its designers, Sergei Mosin and Leon Nagant. The discussion covers the rifle's original specifications, including its long barrel, cruciform bayonet, and unique rear sight markings referencing the archaic Russian arshin, contrasting them with later M91/30 modifications. The video also touches upon the significant economic impact the rifle's production contracts had on American companies like Remington and Westinghouse during World War I.

Quick Summary

The 1891 Mosin Nagant rifle, chambered in 7.62x54R, was designed by Captain Sergei Mosin and Leon Nagant. Original models featured a 31-inch barrel and a 17-inch cruciform bayonet, with unique rear sights marked in Russian arshin. Its production contracts significantly impacted Remington and Westinghouse during WWI.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Adoption by Tsarist Forces & Soviet Symbolism
  2. 00:16The Mosin Nagant Naming Controversy
  3. 00:54Modernization and Design Origins
  4. 01:16The 1891 Mosin Nagant Rifle
  5. 01:197.62x54R Cartridge
  6. 01:43Original Features: Long Barrel & Bayonet
  7. 02:02Unique Rear Sight Design
  8. 02:15Archaic Russian Arshin Markings
  9. 02:25Rarity of Original Sights
  10. 02:33Economic Impact on US Companies
  11. 02:551915 Contract with Remington & Westinghouse
  12. 03:15October 1917 Revolution & Contract Cancellation
  13. 03:34US Government Intervention
  14. 03:48The M91/30 Pattern
  15. 03:57M91/30 Updates: Receiver & Barrel
  16. 04:08Minor Internal Changes
  17. 04:16Dominant Design in the Present Era
  18. 04:24Echo from Tsarist Russia

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the designers of the Mosin Nagant rifle?

The 1891 Mosin Nagant rifle was developed by Captain Sergei Mosin of the Imperial Russian Army, with significant assistance from Belgian engineer Leon Nagant. Their collaboration resulted in the bolt-action military rifle that became a staple for Russian and Soviet forces.

What caliber is the 1891 Mosin Nagant chambered for?

The 1891 Mosin Nagant is chambered for the 7.62x54R cartridge. This rimmed rifle cartridge is known for its effectiveness and has ballistics comparable to the .30-06 Springfield, making it a potent round for its era.

What were the distinctive features of the original 1891 Mosin Nagant?

Original 1891 Mosin Nagants were characterized by an exceptionally long 31-inch barrel and a 17-inch cruciform bayonet, making them very long and somewhat cumbersome. They also featured unique rear sights marked in distances referencing the archaic Russian arshin (about 28 inches).

How did the Mosin Nagant impact American manufacturing companies?

In 1915, Russia contracted Remington and Westinghouse to produce 1.5 million rifles each. The cancellation of these contracts after the 1917 revolution nearly bankrupted these American companies, but they were saved by the U.S. government purchasing the contracts.

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