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The Russian Mosin Nagant Bolt Action Rifles and Carbines

The Model 1891 was first made in quanitity at Chatellerault in France; it has also been made by SIG in Switzerland and Steyr in Austria. It can also be found with a bayonet lug sleeve mounted on the barrel. This work was done by the Germans in World War I to enable them to use their Mauser-type knife bayonets on the Mosin Nagant. The Model 1891 has a hexagonal reciever.

The M 1891 Mosin Nagant was made in the United States by Remington Arms at Ilion, N.Y. and by New England Westinghouse at Sprinfield, Mass. These two firms produced over 1,500,000 rifles whick were delivered to the Imperial Russian and the Kerensky governments durning the period 1915-17. The United States government brought 280,049 of these rifles, mainly for training purposes. A rather unusual fact that is not commonly known is that some od these American made 1891s were used on active service by American troops. The American expedition to Archangel, Russia in 1918 carried these rifles. These troops were sent to Russia to help protect Allied supplies stored in that port during the Russian Civil War. Some publications refer to the American made Mosin Nagant as the M 1916. Many publications refer to various models of the Mosin Nagant which, insofar as Russian publications are concerned, don't really exist. Many variations may be found amoung Mosin Nagants, especially the M 1891s, the offical Russian model designations are as given in this book.

CZ 52 Rifle
7.62 Model 52 Cartridge





Other names:  7.62 X 45
Type:  rimless, necked, center-fire
Overall length:  2.36"
Type powder:  tubular, single base
Weight:  280 gr.
Propellent weight:  28 gr.

BULLET


Type:  full jacketed, pointed boat tail, gilding 
mental clad steel jacket
Diameter:  .311"
Length:  1.11"
131 gr.




CARTRIDGE CASE


Length overall:  1.77"
Diameter at rim:  .441"
Diameter at base:  .442
Diameter at neck:  .334"

BALLISTICS


Muzzle velocity:  2440 f.p.s.





Czech 7.62mm Model 52 Rifle





Caliber:  7.62mm. Czechoslovak Model 52 
System of operation:  Gas, semi-automtic fire only
Weight, loaded:  9-8  lbs.
Length, overall:39-37"




Feed mechanism:  10-round, double staggered-row,  detachable box magazine (loaded with 5-round chargers)
Sights-front:  Hooded blade (removable hood)
----rear:  Notched tangent with curved ramp
Muzzle velocity:  2440 f.p.s.




Note:
Model 52/57 has the same characteristics but is chambered for the Soviet
7.62mm M43 (7.62 X 39mm)


This weapon is a combination of several foreign designs added to a few 
Czech ideas.  The trigger mechanism is similar to that of the U.S, M1 rifle, 
the gas system is similar to that of the German MKb 42 (W) and several 
earlier Walther rifle designs.  The bolt which is a tipping type with 
frontal locking lugs appears to be a native design.  The Model 52 is an 
"intermediate" size but is not interchangeable with the Soviet 7.62mm 
"intermediate" sized cartridge.  It is slightly larger and and has a bit 
more power than the Soviet cartridge.
  
The Model 52/57 is basically the same as the Model 52 but is chambered 
for the Soviet 7.62mm M43 "intermediate" sized cartridge.  The adoption of
this cartridge by Czechoslovakia gave the Sino-Soviet bloc complete 
standardization of small arms ammunition.
The magazine of the Model 52 and 52/57 is loaded with two 5-round 
chargers (stripper clips).  The operating handle is pulled slightly to 
the rear and released and the bolt carrier and bolt go forward chambering 
the cartridge. When the trigger is pulled the sear releases the hammer 
which pivoting forward strikes the firing pin, and the firing pin strikes 
the cartridge. After the bullet passes the gas port, gas enters the port, 
driving the sleeve to the rear.  The sleeve transmits this blow to the 
sheet steel piston which in turn passes it on to spring-loaded tappets 
mounted under the rear sight base.  These tappets strike the bolt carrier, 
which moves to the rear carrying the bolt out of its locked position.  The 
bolt and bolt carrier continue to the rear, compressing the rocoil spring 
and cocking the hammer.  When the bolt and bolt carrier reach the rear of 
the receiver the kinetic energy developed in the recoil spring forces them 
to return to the battery position, picking up and chambering a cartridge as 
they travel forward.  If the trigger is pulled again this cycle will be 
repeated.
The gas system of this weapon, as that of the Walthers on which it is 
patterned, is somewhat unusual.  There is no gas tube to channel the gas 
rearward.  A ring mounted forward of the gas port prevents the gas from 
escaping forward; the movable slide, also a rign encircling the barrel, 
is free to move to the rear under the pressure of the gas.  The piston, 
a semi-circular piece of sheet steel, transmits the blow of the slide
rearwards and engages the tappets.  This is a rather complex system 
although it should be easy to clean and maintain, since all parts are 
exposed.  A metal handguard is used; this handguard probably heats up 
considerably in sustained fire.


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