[sixguns58]

I have just acquired a Mosin Nagant M91/30 from a friend. I have several Russian guns in my collection, mostly focused on Imperial stuff, but never had a contract rifle (although its been on my list for some time). The only provenance I have on it is that it came from the estate of a man who lived within a few miles of the Remington factory where the guns were made. It has no markings on it at all save the Russian eagle, and a few numbers stamped into the top of the barrel at approximately the point where a rear sight would have been (if the gun were tapped for the screws, which it is not). There is no US proof mark, no cartouche anywhere, and the only thing marking the stock is the number 97 on the left side directly below the bolt. There are no sights, front or rear, and the top of the barrel is cut off flat, with no crown whatsoever. There are no serial numbers anywhere that I can see (unless that unevenly stamped number on the barrel counts) and no other marks of a maker or of caliber. There is a very tiny R in a circle on top of the bolt towards the front, which I am told is a Remington mark. That mark, and the fact that it came from a home very close to the factory suggests it was a Remington taken home by a worker?

 

[globug]

Looks like a cadet drill rifle, check out this thread with pictures of #89: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...det-Rifle-update-w-pics&highlight=cadet+rifle

Nice find.

 

[sixguns58]

So a "drill rifle" means they wouldn't have fired it, so it could have just been put together from scrap parts? The lack of sights and any serial numbers is what threw me. Thanks for the link!

 

[ij70]

So a "drill rifle" means they wouldn't have fired it, so it could have just been put together from scrap parts? The lack of sights and any serial numbers is what threw me. Thanks for the link!

Not necessarily scrap parts.

I think most of these rifles ended up for training. You know the marches and stuff, they need a full load out, but not really functioning firearms. Then there was the rifle fencing, again, need full size rifle, but does not need to fire anything. Lastly color guard.

 

[Caribou]

The US stopped sending the Mosins it was building at Reminton and New England Westinghouse for the Tzar, when the Communists took over.


Most were "in the crate" but a few more were cranked out with remaining parts, as well as other companys that bought up the remaining guns and parts.
The US MosinNagants M-91 (you do not have a 91-30) were used by National Guard units (Im looking for an Alaska Territorial Guard Mosin) and as training rifles, like said above to carry. Part of training is being put to shape to carry everything you need and the Mosin filled that whilst troops shot and went into combat with US standard issue arms.
later the Mosins were used by Military Cadets, Parade drill teams (they drop them alot in practise) and then surplussed..........

 

[sixguns58]

Forgot we are talking about 1917-18 here, so you're right that its not a 91/30. My mistake, I'm just used to writing it that way. I am aware of the history of the contract rifles that remained here in the US, I was simply unaware (or didn't stop to think about it I suppose) that they might have put some together for drill practice and such that no one had any intention of shooting. To me, when I see "training rifle" I think marksmanship training; in reality I'm sure they spend far more time learning to carry the rifle without hitting anyone with it than they do learning to shoot it. Thanks all for the info!

The US stopped sending the Mosins it was building at Reminton and New England Westinghouse for the Tzar, when the Communists took over.


Most were "in the crate" but a few more were cranked out with remaining parts, as well as other companys that bought up the remaining guns and parts.
The US MosinNagants M-91 (you do not have a 91-30) were used by National Guard units (Im looking for an Alaska Territorial Guard Mosin) and as training rifles, like said above to carry. Part of training is being put to shape to carry everything you need and the Mosin filled that whilst troops shot and went into combat with US standard issue arms.
later the Mosins were used by Military Cadets, Parade drill teams (they drop them alot in practise) and then surplussed..........

 

[themosinator]

This is an interesting thread!...I never really spent much time pondering over this at all...always thinking of rifles as weapons of war, and forgetting about training, parades, drills, etc...

Thanks for posting!...looking forward to more interesting and informative input on this topic!! :thumbsup:

 

[zeebill]

For sure a Cadet or drill rifle. They were shortened to the size of an 03 most times so that is why the 91/30 size came in there. Most times not shoot able and a harder one these days to find. A keeper even though it will not fire it for sure is collectible. Those pictures look very similar to another post I saw? Bill

 

[Vaarok]

As someone who used to live near the Remington factory in Ilion NY, I'd just throw out that the local Christian academy and a few fraternal type organizations still have Mosin drill rifles like this kicking around. A couple years ago said catholic school had a TV commercial on WKTV-2 where the kiddies flanking the vatican flag in a parade for the camera both had Mosin drill rifles on their shoulders.

 

[Vic]

Its a cadet rifle issued fro drill practice and marches to several US military schools, academies and the like. It was made from spare parts and fabricated to replicate size and weight of the 03 Springfield.