WWI Remington Mosin Nagant M1891 7.62x54R 31.5″ Bolt-Action Rifle 1917 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2022


LSB#: 
211002NI47

Make: Remington

Model: Mosin Nagant Model 1891

Serial#: 514612

Year of Manufacture: 1917, C&R

Caliber: 7.62x54mmR

Action Type: Bolt-Action Rifle with a Fixed Magazine

Markings: The barrel shank is marked with a cyrillic “P” inside a circle which was a stamp from the Imperial Russian proof commision, an Imperial Russian Eagle over the cyrillic letter “P”, “REMINGTON / ARMORY”, “1917” and the serial number “514612”. The top of the receiver is marked with an Imperial Russian Eagle above “P”. The right side of the barrel shank is marked with a “K” in a circle. The bolt is serial matched and marked with an English “R” inside a circle on all of the bolt’s components. Also the body of the bolt is marked with a “K”. The rear end of the bolt’ safety is serial matched. The magazine is serial matched and marked with a cyrillic “P”. The butt-plate is serial matched. The front of the rear sight’s base is marked “2” and the rear end of the base, concealed by the ladder, has some poorly stamped marks. The right side of the butt has a cartouche with an Imperial Russian Eagle marked “P” and “K” in cyrllic above “1917”. The bottom of the forend has US Military acceptance markings including an Eagle’s head, a flaming cannonball and “U.S.” The forend is marked “6” next to the barrel shank.

Barrel Length: Approximately 31 1/2” (800mm)

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a raised base near the muzzle. The rear sight is a folding leaf fixed to the rear end of the barrel which presents a “V”-notch in the down position. When raised the sight presents a “V”-notch slider. The bottom end of the leaf is marked 13-32, inclusive. The left side of the rear sight’s base is marked “12”, “10”, “8”, “6” and “4”. The measurements are in the archaic Russian arshin measurement system.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is two-piece wood featuring a metallic forend cap, a handguard, a slot in the forend for the included cleaning rod, two barrel bands, a sling eyelet in the forend with metal washers, a through bolt, finger grooves on the forend, a straight wrist, a slightly raised comb, a sling eyelet with metal washers on the butt and a metal butt-plate. The stock has light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is a ding on the bottom of the forend which is just ahead of the rear barrel band and some adhesive residue just behind the rear barrel band. Also, there is a moderate nick on the belly. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 1/2” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate.  The butt-plate is coated in mild surface oxidation plus it has some light handling marks and a few patches finish loss. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion concentrated in the grooves of the bore.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are light-moderate handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is finish loss on the front right portion of the barrel, the barrel bands and the leading edges of the rifle. Also, there is some light surface oxidation visible on the metal parts of the rifle but the bluing remains strong. The markings remain clear. The screwheads have light tool-marks and remain serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This Remington manufactured Mosin Nagant Model 1891 is a bolt-action rifle chambered for 7.62x54mmR rounds. During WWI the Russian Empire was desperate for war material as it struggled to meet the demands placed on its military by a two front war. The Tsarist Empire was fighting against Germany with its Austro Hungarian allies to the West and the Ottoman Empire in the East. Russia’s industry proved incapable of meeting its military needs and the country was forced to seek foriegn support. During the first year of WWI, Russia was already securing contracts for foriegn made weapons. In 1915 the Russian government secured a contract with Remington and New England Westinghose for large numbers of Mosin Nagant Model 1891 rifles. The contracts had only been partially fulfilled when in 1917 the Tsar was overthrown during the October Revolution. Unsurprisingly, Russia defaulted on its payments. This was not the first time Remington had a major arms contract fall through, the company was bankrupted in the late 19th century when Egypt failed to pay for a large order of rolling-block rifles. Unlike the prior debacle, the Wilson administration paid off the bulk of the contract, saving Remington from going under as it had before. The bulk of these rifles were approved for service by the US Army Ordnance Corps, this rifle is one of the Mosins that was accepted for US Army service (evidenced by the markings on the bottom of the forend). Once WWI had ended in 1918 the bulk of these rifles were sold by the US government to other countries and many were sold on the civilian market. Following the onset of the Russian Civil War, a number of remaining American Mosins were issued to the US Army contingent sent to assist the Russian White movement (it was believed there would be ample spare parts and ammunition to service the rifles in Russia) and a large number were supplied to the Whites. The mission ended in failure as the Communists bested the Whites and their foriegn backers including England, France, Japan and the United States. The American Model 1891 Mosin Nagant rifles were well made and this particular specimen remains impressive considering its age. The rifle is a fascinating historical relic that you do not want to miss out on!

WWI Remington Mosin Nagant M1891 7.62x54R 31.5" Bolt-Action Rifle 1917 C&R
WWI Remington Mosin Nagant M1891 7.62x54R 31.5″ Bolt-Action Rifle 1917 C&R