The history of the development of domestic cavalry carbines starts in 1856. For a long time they remained modern weapons, distinguished by their reliability and good shooting performance. Especially popular was the Mosin rifle ("three-ruler"), produced in several versions. Consider the structural and technical features of these guns, as well as applications and modifications.
1856 Capsule shortened cavalry carbine
The weapon in question was created to strengthen and re-equip the Russian army. Gunsmiths focused on the manufacture of a well-aimed rifled carbine with an increased range of accurate fire. At the same time, it was planned to reduce the caliber to 15.24 mm. The transition from round bullets to weighted analogues of a cylindrical shape reduced the fire reserve carried by the fighter. Reducing the caliber partially eliminated this problem.
The new gun was created by members of the Main Artillery Directorate. The prototype was highly appreciated by the special commission. In 1856, a shortened cavalry carbineput in service with infantry units. The updated weapon was named "rifle". The improved sight provided accurate shooting at a distance of up to 850 meters, which was four times higher than the performance of smooth-bore counterparts of that time.
Description
Brief characteristics of the 1856 cavalry carbine:
- length - 1.34m;
- weight - 4.4 kg without bayonet;
- ammunition - expansion cartridge Minier;
- rate of fire - two aimed volleys per minute.
The design of the improved stock contributed to accurate firing. Foreign gunsmiths highly appreciated the combat capabilities of the new Russian weapons.
A couple of years later, the rifled model of 1856 was put into service with all Russian infantry. Often there were disputes around this rifle. Some officers believed that only sharpshooters should be provided with such weapons. Despite the fact that the conservatives partially managed to defend their point of view, the cavalry carbine was approved in May 1858 for the entire infantry. True, the sight made it possible to fire at a distance of up to 600 meters, which artificially underestimated the capabilities of the weapon. Among the modifications: a dragoon model with a barrel shortened by 76 millimeters, as well as a Cossack version, weighing 3.48 kilograms, with a special ledge instead of a trigger.
Mosin cavalry carbine
The predecessor of Mosin's carbines was a rifle of his own design, popularly called"trilinear". This name is associated with the caliber of weapons, identical to the three lines (an outdated Russian measure of length). The model was produced in three basic trim levels:
- Infantry version with extended barrel and bayonet.
- Cavalry variant with shorter barrel and reinforced strap attachment.
- Cossack modification without a bayonet.
The rifle was modernized in 1910 by equipping it with a new sighting design and other stock rings. The model received the code name "sample 1891/10", in all versions it was operated until 1923, after which it was decided to leave only the dragoon modification in service.
In the 24th year of the last century, the full name of the weapon was rightly supplemented with the indication of the name Mosin. In 1930, the method of fixing the bayonet and ramrod was changed, the sights and stock rings were updated. Implement technical parameters:
- length - 1.23 m;
- weight without ammunition and bayonet - 4 kg;
- rifling in the barrel - 4 pieces;
- clip capacity - 5 charges;
- caliber - 7, 62 mm;
- range of aimed fire - 2 km;
- starting bullet speed - 810 m/s;
- rate of fire - up to 12 volleys per minute.
Mosin carbine (1891-1907)
This gun is designed for combat equipment of hussar detachments. It is shorter and lighter than the dragoon version, and is comfortable to wear by riders at various gaits. According to the principle of operation and device, a cavalry carbine of this type does not differ frompredecessor.
Features:
- stem shortened to 508mm;
- equipped with an updated reticle with divisions that are optimally suited for a shortened barrel (50 steps);
- refined stock and handguard;
- no bayonet.
Other modifications
In 1938, a modified version of the 1907 issue cavalry carbine was released. The weapon became longer by five millimeters, the estimated effective range was one kilometer. The gun was intended for all types of troops, including artillery, cavalry and logistics units requiring a handy self-defense weapon.
The carbine produced in 1944 was the latest development in its series. It differed from its predecessor in a non-removable needle-type bayonet, a simplified design. The shortening of infantry rifles became the main requirement, indicated by the experience of the Second World War. Compactness made it possible to increase the maneuverability of troops, allowing them to fight in various difficult conditions. At the same time, the quality parameters, compared to the rifle, remained at the same level.
Parameters
The following are the specifications of Mosin's 1938/1944 cavalry carbines:
- caliber (mm) - 7, 62/7, 62;
- weight without charges (kg) - 3, 4/4, 1;
- length without bayonet (m) - 1016/1016;
- trigger - impact type;
- sighting mechanism - front sight with a sector sight;
- shutter - rotary longitudinal-sliding;
- sighting range (mm) - 1000;
- bullet speed at launch (m/s) - 816;
- food - an integral clip for five ammunition;
- final years of production - 1945/1949.
Device and equipment
There are four grooves in the barrel of the carbine, the turns of which go from left, up and to the right. The shape is rectangular. A smoothbore chamber is provided in the rear. It is connected to the rifled compartment by means of a bullet entry. Above this element is a factory stamp that serves to identify the manufacturer and year of manufacture.
A tightly screwed box is installed on the rear stump of the threaded barrel, in which the shutter is mounted. The feeder, reflector and trigger are fixed on it. Four charges with a feeder are placed in the clip (magazine). The cartridges are placed in one row, the cut-off reflector controls the movement of the shutter, is responsible for the separation of ammunition when fed from the magazine compartment to the receiver. Prior to the upgrade, the design used was a paddle and spring mechanism.
Design features
The cut-off reflector is the main design feature of the cavalry carbine, the characteristics of which are discussed above. This detail, invented by Mosin, guarantees the safety and reliability of the weapon in any conditions. The presence of this element is due to the use of obsolete ammunition with a frill, which complicates the supply from the clip.
The trigger block of the gun includes a hook, a specialspring, sear, screw, studs. The descent is triggered tightly, without separation into two stages, different in the applied force. The bolt part is intended for sending ammunition into the chamber, blocking the barrel channel during a salvo, firing a shot, and removing a spent cartridge case. This part consists of a stem comb, a handle, a larva, an ejector, a trigger, a spring and impact element, and a fixing strap. A striker with a twisted mainspring is placed in the shutter. The compression of the last element is provided by unlocking the shutter with a rotary handle. In the reverse position, the cocked drummer rests against the sear. To do this, the trigger is retracted, if you turn it fully counterclockwise, the gun will be set to safety.
The stock consists of a forearm, neck, butt, connects parts of the carbine. The material for its manufacture is birch or walnut wood. The straight one-piece neck of the part in question is durable and convenient for conducting a bayonet attack, although it is less comfortable when shooting than an analogue of a semi-pistol type.
Since 1894, the design has been using a handguard that covers the upper part of the barrel, protecting it from deformation, and the soldier’s hands from burns. The "Dragoon" butt stock has become already in size, the forearm has also "lost weight". On these carbines, a stepped or sector sight was operated. It is constructed from a strap with a clamp, pads, springs. The front sight was located on the trunk near the muzzle. In 1932, the serial production of the 56-B-22A modification, which differsimproved barrel processing, the presence of optics, a bent bolt handle.
The stock was fastened with a pair of screws and special rings with springs. The 1944 release carbine was equipped with a non-removable transferable bayonet designed by Semin. The sighting of the weapon was carried out with the bayonet in the combat position.
Application
The cavalry carbine, whose technical characteristics surpassed many foreign competitors, was actively used from the moment of creation until the end of the Great Patriotic War. In addition, its export and revised versions were in service with the armies of Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, and Finland. After the creation of the Balkan Union, over 50 thousand modifications were delivered to the Bulgarian army. In Poland, analogues were produced under the WZ marking. Since 1943, these rifles were armed with the infantry regiment of the first Polish division. Under the Third Reich, the guns were called Gewehr. The Finns positioned upgraded versions of Mosin carbines as M-24/27/29.
