We don't often get to see these Russian Imperial Era Mosin Nagant M91 Dragoons rifles. In fact, I can find only one other example from 1903. Most have succumbed to attrition and/or conversion by the Soviets to M91/30 specs. Those which have survived in dragoon configuration will usually exhibit Finnish, Spanish Civil War, Imperial German/Austrian, Romanian or other Balkan Region traits.
Dragoon rifles differed from the M91 infantry versions. The barrels were 3" shorter for greater ease of handling by cavalry and other horse mounted troops.
The following Dragoon would have survived the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905, capture by the Germans in WWI (numbers on top flat of bolt body), and post-war sale to Finland and reconstruction for the Winter and Continuation Wars, 1939 to 1944. Prior to WWI, the original flat rear sight leaf was upgraded by the Russians with the curved Konovalov leaf, calibrated for the 1909 spitzer bullet.
It does appear that the original bolt, and possibly the solid barrel bands, have stayed with the gun throughout. The magazine is not matching (Imperial Tula), and the action has been fitted with a post-1937 Soviet Izhevsk M91/30 stock. The Finns added the cleaning rod with the elongated head. The D-stamp on the barrel denotes the Finnish chamber reaming for the D166 cartridge, and the right rear sight base has been calibrated accordingly. No [SA] stamp, denoting transfer to the Finnish Army.
For all of its service and travel, it has retained remarkably good condition. Pics, enjoy, and thanks for looking.
Dragoon rifles differed from the M91 infantry versions. The barrels were 3" shorter for greater ease of handling by cavalry and other horse mounted troops.
The following Dragoon would have survived the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905, capture by the Germans in WWI (numbers on top flat of bolt body), and post-war sale to Finland and reconstruction for the Winter and Continuation Wars, 1939 to 1944. Prior to WWI, the original flat rear sight leaf was upgraded by the Russians with the curved Konovalov leaf, calibrated for the 1909 spitzer bullet.
It does appear that the original bolt, and possibly the solid barrel bands, have stayed with the gun throughout. The magazine is not matching (Imperial Tula), and the action has been fitted with a post-1937 Soviet Izhevsk M91/30 stock. The Finns added the cleaning rod with the elongated head. The D-stamp on the barrel denotes the Finnish chamber reaming for the D166 cartridge, and the right rear sight base has been calibrated accordingly. No [SA] stamp, denoting transfer to the Finnish Army.
For all of its service and travel, it has retained remarkably good condition. Pics, enjoy, and thanks for looking.
