Izhevsk was the only factory to produce Dragoons and Cossacks until Tula switched in the mid 1920s. The Finns captured this particular example and converted it to their own liking.
1920 was a difficult year as the Russian revolution was in full swing. The Izhevsk factory was actually captured by White Russians and was recaptured by the reds. Many of the original workers were killed.
The early 1920s saw considerable quality issues. It's little wonder when you think about it.
gs, strange things have turned up in crates of Mosins shipped to the United States. I've found late 1920s hex receivers mixed in with wartime production round receivers, for instance.
Ken, where on earth did you find that, and are there any more of them where that one came from?
Believe it or not an estate auction. There were several guns listed and the Dragoon was advertised in the sale bill as a 1920 Russian.
The bidding went up in $25 increments to $150. I offered $160 to the auctioneer's $175 asking. It stopped the group of local gunhounds cold and I won the rifle for $160.
The deceased was a WWII vet who had souveniers from Iwo Jima- sand, shrapnel, etc. No one bid on them until I got it started. They sold for a respectable price.
This Mosin would have come to the US in the 1960s. They can still be found in the wilds of the US- you just need to look.
Fit and finish was OK, but the old baby had a tough life as you can see.
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Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!
I sure like the looks of that rifle. Just think of how many battles it could have been in. Against the Finns in the Winter War. Or some soldier could have picked it up straight from the arsenal. It could have been used in WWII as well. Against the Poles when the Soviet Union invaded Poland in 1939. A Soviet soldier could have used it for the Polish Katyn Massacre to help kill 20,000 Polish soldiers and officers. Later it could have been used to give the Germans repayment for all the Russians massacred in the German invasion. Its certainly seen a lot of war.
Wonder how many carried this rifle in battle?
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It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
I have acquired my first Nagant and don't know anything about it. the general history i have looked up REALLY interest me and i want to know more. I done some of my own looking and see that you have what i think mine is. Please let me know y'alls thoughts and information as to what i actually have. Thanks Everyone!
I have acquired my first Nagant and don't know anything about it. the general history i have looked up REALLY interest me and i want to know more. I done some of my own looking and see that you have what i think mine is. Please let me know y'alls thoughts and information as to what i actually have. Thanks Everyone!
Hi Newbie.
Your post got lost in this thread.
Your rifle is a Dragoon that has been converted to a 91/30, commonly called an Ex-Dragoon by shooters and collectors.
If you look closely, the sights, bands and stock have all been replaced from the original Dragoon style. Almost all Dragoons have seen one update or more. Mine has a replacement 91/30 style handguard- probably done in the 1930s. The original handguard was fragile and easily broken and the 91/30 handguard was a direct fit.
Yours has had the full treatment that was probably done in the 1950's through 1970's. These rifles are currently being imported from the Ukraine along with the later Mosin 91/30's.
Only a few of the early 1920's rifles are seen today. The Cyrillic markings on the barrel shank were discontinued in 1928 at Izhevsk and 1929 at Tula.
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Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!
Your rifle is a Dragoon that has been converted to a 91/30, commonly called an Ex-Dragoon by shooters and collectors.
If you look closely, the sights, bands and stock have all been replaced from the original Dragoon style. Almost all Dragoons have seen one update or more. Mine has a replacement 91/30 style handguard- probably done in the 1930s. The original handguard was fragile and easily broken and the 91/30 handguard was a direct fit.
Yours has had the full treatment that was probably done in the 1950's through 1970's. These rifles are currently being imported from the Ukraine along with the later Mosin 91/30's.
Only a few of the early 1920's rifles are seen today. The Cyrillic markings on the barrel shank were discontinued in 1928 at Izhevsk and 1929 at Tula.
So do i have a rare or a common? II tried doing my own research and got lost and confused .
I have acquired my first Nagant and don't know anything about it. the general history i have looked up REALLY interest me and i want to know more. I done some of my own looking and see that you have what i think mine is. Please let me know y'alls thoughts and information as to what i actually have. Thanks Everyone!
Welcome to G&G,glad you joined.However,Gandog will probably be weighing in on you calling your rifle a Nagant.Don't take it personally,It's just the way it is.
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"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
Franklin D Roosevelt
That is a nice looking rifle Ken! I have a 21 Izzy that was converted to a 91/30. Matching bayonet. I was going to sell it but now am having second thoughts. I love those M91s. I just like the heft and balance of those things. They shoot well too!
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Dedicated to the memory of Ronald "Dad" Knutson Sr. 1936-2013
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I dont know what im doing 
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