Remington built Model 1891 Mosin Nagant Rifle…….. (F 1105)
Created on June 15th 2023
Model 1891 Remington Mosin-Nagant
A rare and interesting version of the old Russian workhorse for the Mosin-Nagant collector. Approximately one million of these rifles were ordered by the Tsarist government of Imperial Russia. Only 650,000 were produced as the Russian revolution in 1918 put paid to completion of the order. This version can be found produced by The Westinghouse Co, USA or by Remington. They were made under contract between 1916 and 1918 and for rapid recognition are usually first spotted by the hexagonal receiver.
Chambered in 7.62 x 54R they have a 5-shot internal, single stack magazine which can be clip loaded. The rifle itself measures 51.1/4″ in overall length. The blued barrel is 31.5/8″ long and has a round shank which is stamped with makers details. The trigger Pull is 13.5/8″ to centre. Straight wrist, single piece, American Black Walnut stock with hand-guard over the barrel. Classically short, stubby straight bolt arm; the bolt finished in the white. The balance of the rifles’ metalwork is blued. The fore-end has finger grooves with an obvious cross bolt. The sling attachment is by lateral slots through the stock, which the Finns have added sling swivels to. This rifle may have been in an Imperial State Arsenal which the Finns took over in the annexing of land from Russia as a consequence of the civil war. It bears the Finnish “SA” mark on the rounded barrel shank.
The action is of hexagonal form and is marked as is the rounded shank, with the Imperial crest of Tsar Nicholas II. The barrel shank marking also has a large triangle stamped over it. On the shank the following is arranged in an arched fashion; ” REMINGTON / ARMOURY / 1917 / No / 173355″ This matching number is repeated on the spine of the bolt. However, this a bolt originally from another rifle as the bolt also has the number “654” on the bolt knob – once again we put this down to the Finns. It also shows the Izhevsk Bow and Arrow stamping. Older style rear sight marking in “archins“. Very good (possibly replacement) handguard over barrel with copper rivets. Full length cleaning rod stored under barrel. Simple blade front sight. Musket fashion steel butt-plate with matching number and circled “R” marking.
Two barrel bands with reverse thread fixing. A cross bolt added before the front band. Steel nose-cap to fore-end also with the “R” marking as with the barrel bands. The exposed lower of the magazine bears a different number to the rifle but this is typical of Finnish weapons. Three impressed markings behind trigger guard, in the timber – an American touch. On the RHS of the butt-stock is a single large “S,” a possible rack number “78836” and a faint Remington cartouche dated 1917 with winged design in the centre.
This is an excellent and well preserved example of one of these non-Russian built Model 91 rifles. It is solidly built and remains so with no undue rattles or shakes when handled. There is no significant damage to the stocks – just minor markings. It has been completely stripped, cleaned lubricated and reassembled as with all our imported rifles – this one emerging from Canada recently. Wear to the blued finish is not excessive and really only shows through in high points or points of common human contact. The action is mechanically fine. The bore is considered good for a rifle of this age; obviously it shows some usage but its not excessive. Rifling is complete, has good depth – no pitting on the lands. The edges may be slightly soft and the grooves a little dark. Considering this barrel shows provisional Black powder inspection marks it is remarkable that the bore has remained so good for this length of time. Should be perfectly shoot-able for our purposes.
Just UK CIP proofed for nitro. Collectors might be aware of the current rise in price of any military rifle in the US. In pursuing a similar rifle at auction in the US recently, I had to have my jaw re-attached after being outbid at the opening of the lot but, staying with it, to see it sell for over $4000. !!! Plus Buyers premium !!!! Right back when I started this business I was insisting that prices would rise as the supply of these things runs out; I as a trader, am now falling foul of this forecast; as the prices are on a constant upward curve over many areas of our interest. Who knows where it will top out – I can’t see any sign of it yet. These are investments…
Stock No’ F 1105
£ 1800.
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