The history of the development of domestic cavalry carbines starts in 1856. For a long time they remained modern weapons, distinguished by reliability and good shooting performance. Especially popular was the Mosin rifle ("three-ruler"), available in several versions. Consider the structural and technical features of these guns, as well as the application and modifications.
Capsule shortened cavalry carbine of 1856
The weapons in question were created to strengthen and rearm the Russian army. The gunsmiths focused on the manufacture of a well-aimed rifled carbine with an increased range of precision fire. 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 firing 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 praised by the special commission. In 1856, the cavalry shortened carbine was armed with rifle units. Updated weapons received the name "rifle". The improved sight provided aimed firing at a distance of up to 850 meters, which was four times higher than the performance of smooth-bore analogues of that time.
Description
Brief characteristics of the cavalry carbine of 1856:
- length - 1.34 m;
- weight - 4.4 kg without a bayonet;
- ammunition - Mignier expansion cartridge;
- rate of fire - two aimed shots per minute.
Accurate firing contributed to the design of an improved lodge. Foreign gunsmiths praised the combat capabilities of the new Russian weapons.
A couple of years later, the rifled model of 1856 was put into service with the entire domestic infantry. Often there were disputes around this rifle. Some officers believed that only well-aimed shooters should be provided with such weapons. Despite the fact that the conservatives partially managed to defend their point of view, the cavalry carbine in May 1858 was approved for the entire infantry. True, the sight allowed firing at a distance of up to 600 meters, which artificially underestimated the capabilities of weapons. 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 protrusion instead of a trigger.
Mosin Cavalry Carabiner
The forerunner of Mosin carbines was his rifle of his own design, popularly called the "three-ruler." This name is associated with the caliber of the weapon, identical to the three lines (obsolete Russian measure of length). The model was produced in three basic trim levels:
- Infantry version with an elongated barrel and bayonet.
- Cavalry version with a shortened barrel and reinforced strap mount.
- Cossack modification without a bayonet.
The rifle was modernized in 1910 by equipping a new sighting structure and other false rings. The model received the code name "sample 1891/10", in all versions it was operated until 1923, after which they decided to leave only the dragoon version in service.
In the 24th year of the last century, the full name of the weapon was fairly replenished with an indication of the name of Mosin. In 1930, they changed the way of fixing the bayonet and ramrod, updated the sights, rings of the box. Technical parameters of the gun:
- length - 1.23 m;
- weight without ammunition and bayonet - 4 kg;
- rifling in the trunk - 4 pieces;
- clip capacity - 5 charges;
- caliber - 7.62 mm;
- range of aimed fire - 2 km;
- bullet launch speed - 810 m / s;
- rate of fire - up to 12 volleys per minute.
Mosin carbine (1891-1907)
This weapon is focused on the combat equipment of the hussar units. It is shorter and lighter than the dragoon version, comfortable to wear by riders on various gait. By the principle of operation and arrangement, a cavalry carbine of this type does not differ from its predecessor.
Features:
- shortening the stem to 508 mm;
- equipping with an updated aiming bar with divisions optimally suited for a shortened barrel (50 steps);
- sophisticated butt and fore-end;
- lack of a bayonet.
Other modifications
In 1938, a modified version of the 1907 cavalry carbine was released. The weapon became five millimeters longer; the estimated aiming range was one kilometer. The gun was intended for all types of troops, including artillery, cavalry and parts of logistics, requiring convenient weapons of self-defense.
The carbine produced in 1944 was the last development in its series. It differed from its predecessor by a non-removable bayonet of a needle type, simplified design. Shortening infantry rifles became the main requirement outlined by the experience of World War II. Compactness made it possible to increase the maneuverability of troops, allowing you to fight in various difficult conditions. In this case, the quality parameters, compared with the rifle, remained at the same level.
Options
The following are the technical specifications of the Mosin cavalry carbines of 1938/1944:
- caliber (mm) - 7.62 / 7.62;
- weight without charges (kg) - 3.4 / 4.1;
- length without bayonet (m) - 1016/1016;
- trigger - shock type;
- aiming mechanism - a front sight with a sector sight;
- shutter - rotary longitudinally-sliding;
- sighting range (mm) - 1000;
- bullet speed at launch (m / s) - 816;
- food - an integral clip for five ammunition;
- final years of release - 1945/1949.
The device and equipment
In the barrel of the carbine there are four rifling, the turns of which are left, up and right. The shape is rectangular. In the back there is a smooth-bore chamber. It is connected to the rifled compartment by means of a pool entrance. Above this element, the factory mark is marked, which serves to identify the manufacturer and year of manufacture.
On the rear hemp of the threaded barrel, a tightly screwed box is installed in which the shutter is mounted. A feed device, a reflector and a trigger are fixed on it. Four charges with a feed mechanism are placed in a clip (magazine). The cartridges are placed in one row, the cut-off reflector controls the movement of the bolt, is responsible for the separation of ammunition when fed from the magazine compartment to the receiver. Prior to modernization, a design with a blade and a spring mechanism was used.
Design features
Cut-off reflector is the main structural 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 of the clip.
The trigger block of the gun includes a hook, a special spring, a sear, a screw, and studs. The trigger works tightly, without separation into two stages, different in the applied effort. The bolt is designed to send the ammunition into the chamber, block the barrel during the salvo, firing, removing the spent sleeve. This part consists of a stem crest, a handle, a larva, an ejector, a trigger, a spring and shock element, a fixing bar. In the bolt is a drummer with a twisted combat spring. Compression of the last element is ensured by unlocking the shutter with a rotary handle. In the reverse position, the drummer on the platoon rests on the sear. To do this, the trigger is pulled back, if you turn it fully counterclockwise, the implement will be mounted on the fuse.
The stock consists of forend, neck, butt, connects the parts of the carbine. The material for its manufacture is birch or walnut wood. The straight whole neck of the part in question is durable and convenient for conducting a bayonet attack, although when shooting it is less comfortable than the analogue of the semi-pistol type.
Since 1894, a barrel trim has been used in the design, covering the upper part of the barrel, protecting it from deformation, and the soldier’s hands from burns. The "Dragoon" butt was already in size, the forend also "lost weight." On the indicated carbines a step or sector sight was operated. It is designed 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-V-22A modification started, featuring improved barrel processing, the presence of optics, a bent shutter handle.
The lodge was secured with a pair of screws and special rings with springs. The 1944 release carbine was equipped with the Semin fixed removable bayonet. Weapon fire was carried out with a bayonet mounted in a combat position.
