The M-1891 Infantry Rifle

The M-1891 Infantry Rifle

M-1891 Infantry Rifle Technical Data

Designation:

Tsarist:

Soviet:

Pekhotnaya Vintovka Obrazets 1891-ogo goda

7.62mm magazinnaya vintovka sistemi Mosina obrazets 1891-ogo goda

Manufacturer:

Tula, Chatellerault, Sestroryetsk and Izhevsk Arsenals

Year Adopted:

1891

Operational Status:

Russia: No longer in service. Was in production until replaced by Dragoon pattern in 1920's.

Finland and Poland: No longer in service, but were captured from the Red Army and used in large numbers.

Germany and Austria: Used large amounts of captured M-91's during the Great War.

United States and Mexico: Used the weapon in very small numbers and quickly abandoned it.

Turkey: No longer in service. Received large numbers by Russian soldiers fleeing the Civil War.

Ammunition

7.62x54R

(.30 caliber cartridge)

5 round box magazine

Method of Operation

Manually cycled, bolt action rifle.

Selector

Fire and Safe

Weight:

Rifle Only:

With Bayonet and Sling:


3.95 kilograms	(9.63 pounds)
4.83 kilograms	(10.63 pounds)

Maximum Range:

Uncertain at this time

Length:

Overall:

Barrel:


131.8 centimeters	(51.37 inches)
80.3 centimeters	(31.6 inches )

Sights:

Unprotected blade front sight, Leaf rear sight

Maximum Sight Range:

3,200 arshins

(2,000 meters)

(2,200 yards)

Rate of Fire:

8 - 10 rounds per minute

Rifling Grooves:

4, right hand twist

Muzzle velocity:

790 meters/second

(2660 ft / second)

The M-1891 Infantry Rifle in Pictures	Development, History, and Use	Return to Weapons Index
Ammunition	Development, History, and Use	The Designer

Sources Cited

(1) Hogg, Ian V. and John S. Weeks, Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, Krause Publications, 2000. Print.
(2) Lapin, W. Terence, The Mosin Nagant Rifle, North Cape Publications, 1998. Print.
(3) Bolotin, D.N., Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition, Finnish Arms Museum Foundation, 1995. Print.
(4) Menning, Bruce, Bayonets Before Bullets, Indiana University Press: Bloomington IL, 1992. Print.